The Bachelorette alum Blake Horstmann doesn't think The Bachelor will returning to ABC next year.
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Blake offered his "bold statement" and "hot take" on the future of The Bachelor franchise following Chris Harrison's racism controversy and temporary leave of absence.
"Nothing lasts forever... I think there won't be another The Bachelor season," Blake, 31, said Tuesday in a Q&A session via Instagram Stories.
"I don't think there will be another The Bachelor season. I think it's going to end after Michelle. Yeah, I do!"
Blake acknowledged that's his "prediction," adding, "I could be completely wrong and look like an idiot in a year LOL."
But as to why Blake believes the show will come to an end, he explained, "Whether you think it's right, wrong -- whatever your stance is on the [Chris Harrison scandal] -- I think it drove away a lot of loyal fans and viewers. I think they're really not going to watch the show, and I think ratings are going to plummet."
The Bachelorette is currently filming its seventeenth season starring Katie Thurston, but former The Bachelorette stars Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams have replaced Chris and are serving as co-hosts.
Chris "stepped aside" from his hosting duties in February after defending The Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell's racially-ignorant and racially-insensitive actions in the last several years, including posing for photos at an antebellum-themed "Old South" fraternity party at Georgia College & State University in 2018.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)
It remains unclear whether Chris will return to host The Bachelorette's eighteenth season starring Michelle later this year, but Chris previously made it known on Good Morning America he hopes -- and plans -- to be back on the show.
Once Blake made his surprising opinion known on Tuesday, a swirl of reports began circulating online, which prompted Blake to return to Instagram Stories and address all the gossip.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW"Whoaaaa, relax people," Blake wrote to his followers. "These headlines are getting out of control."
Blake said in a video, "I've seen a thousand click-bait articles written now. I don't think it's that big of a deal."
"I just saw an article written saying that I think it's Michelle's fault that The Bachelor is going to end! What?! No! It has nothing to do with the women."
Blake confirmed his prediction had nothing to do with "current contestants or past contestants."
"Wow, I didn't think it would be this big of a deal. I just have an opinion, nothing more, nothing less. I hope I'm wrong; I hope the show lasts another 20 years!" Blake exclaimed.
"I make my living off of the show. I have a podcast about the show!"
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)
Blake asked his followers to read the actual articles and not just their headlines because they can be deceiving.
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Blake, who previously competed for Becca Kufrin's heart on The Bachelorette's fourteenth season before looking for love again on Season 6 of Bachelor in Paradise, may have a point about people not watching or wanting to participate in The Bachelor going forward.
In addition to two seasons of The Bachelorette this year, ABC will also be rolling out Season 7 of Bachelor in Paradise -- and a source told E! News late last month "many" potential cast members are "declining" their invitations due to the recent racism controversies.
"Some members of Bachelor Nation are apprehensive to sign up," the source shared. "Some are wondering what direction the season will take and are curious if it will strictly focus on contestants falling in love."
Another insider expressed a similar sentiment and told the website, "[Producers] have put out several asks to Bachelor veterans. Many people are declining due to the current state of Bachelor Nation. A lot of people are removing themselves from the franchise."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
