So, what is the shining light, you ask? It comes in the form of Emmanuel Acho, best-selling author and the host of the online series Uncomfortable Conversations With a Black Man. He will be stepping in as host of “After The Final Rose,” the postmortem special that airs after The Bachelor finale. “It’s both an honor and privilege to be hosting ‘After the Final Rose.’ This is an incredibly pivotal episode on one of the most storied shows in television history,” Acho said in a statement. Looking to learn more about Acho and how he came into the biggest conversation on television? We’ve gathered everything you need to know about him ahead of The Bachelor finale Monday, March 15.
Who is Emmanuel Acho?
Acho is the author of the 2020 bestseller Uncomfortable Conversations With A Black Man, and the host of the web series of the same name. Acho isn’t afraid to have conversations about race, and that’s what makes him a perfect pick for the role, it’s as much a part of him as it needs to be part of the foundation of The Bachelor.
He’s a former football player
Acho is a former NFL linebacker; he played football for the University of Texas and was then drafted by the Cleveland Browns in 2012. He played for the Philadelphia Eagles and signed with the New York Giants practice squad in 2013 before becoming a free agent in 2015.
You’ve seen him on TV before
Albeit, not in this sort of setting…ya know, one surrounded by roses and eager singles/aspiring influencers. Since leaving the field, he’s worked as a sports analyst for Fox Sports and ESPN.
But how is Emmanuel Acho connected to Bachelor Nation?
As usual, Rachel Lindsay gives us more than we ever deserved. Lindsay mentioned Acho as a great choice in an interview with PEOPLE last week, days before he announced he’d accepted the rose. No one’s giving Lindsay any credit yet, so it’s unclear if ABC’s first Black bachelorette’s words carried any weight with the higher-ups or if Acho was already in the running. Lindsay and her husband, Bryan Abasolo, were featured in an interview on Acho’s webseries in July 2020. “Who better to lead it?” Lindsay said. “[He’s] someone who’s not involved with the franchise, no ties, no bias—I think it’d be great.” “Happy for you bro!” Abasolo commented on Acho’s announcement post. “I have no doubt you will do a fantastic job!"
OK, so is Emmanuel Acho taking over for Chris Harrison full-time?
As of publication, there has been no confirmation as to how long Harrison will be gone, if anyone will be taking over for him and if so, who that will be. The Bachelorette is still expected to begin filming shortly afterATFR, andBachelor In Paradise is scheduled to hit our television screens this summer. Acho, as of now, is only set to be hosting ATFR, but it may be a test run for him. Next, these seven people could take over for Chris Harrison fulltime, if Acho isn’t up for the job.
