Former Bachelor host Chris Harrison officially handed out his final rose to Lauren Zima, a reporter for Entertainment Tonight.
Harrison took to Instagram early Monday morning (Oct.25) to share the exciting news that he popped the question to Zima in Napa Valley, California, at Brand Vineyard. “I love you, @laurenzimaa,” the former Bachelor host captioned a string of romantic photos. “The next chapter starts now!”
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The 50-year-old bachelor turned fiancé revealed photos from the dream-like proposal from him down on one knee to the two sharing a glass of bubbly to celebrate. It wasn’t long until Bachelor Nation flooded the comment section to show their love and support.
“Oh heck yes!!!!!! This is incredible, so pumped,” says Ben Higgins. “Congratulations! So happy for you both,” adds Colton Underwood. Franchise alums such as Raven Gottschalk, Arie Luyendyk, Peter Weber, Kaitlyn Bristowe, and JoJo Fletcher also shared heartwarming congratulatory messages.
The engagement came as a surprise to reality tv-goers, as Zima shut down wedding rumors back in April when Harrison posted a picture of her wearing a white wedding-like dress. “I’d stop the world and melt with you, @laurenzima there’s no one I’d rather celebrate love with, and I’ll be your plus one anytime,” the award-winning author wrote alongside the snapshot.
As the engagement follows the false alarm, it also comes a few months after Harrison took a step back from the fan-favorite franchise – due to harsh backlash from the Rachael Kirkconnell scandal. Regardless of their love, Zima addressed the problem in her personal Instagram stories. “What Chris said was wrong and disappointing,” the entertainment personality said. “Defending racism can never happen. Accountability comes first, what’s next is learning and growth.”
However, the incident proved that their love for each other is unbreakable, as she remained in his corner. The 33-year-old also publicized her excitement by posting the big moment on her social media with a vulnerable message addressed to Harrison.
“We tell each other this all the time, and we said it again in an unforgettably beautiful moment this weekend: I didn’t know love couple be like this. You are the most incredible partner. Thank you for loving me, championing me, and asking me to marry you. Here’s to the next amazing chapter, and all the rest💍,” she captioned the professional images.
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Zima and Harrison started dating back in August of 2018, after connecting through several interviews tied to the “Bachelor” franchise. The ET correspondent opened up on Nick Viall’s The Viall Files podcast and confessed that she was the one who made the first move on now soon-to-be husband.
“Oh, I DM’d him,” she said. “He just gave me a different vibe…it was fairly overt. He mentioned something about picking his kids up or something. He somehow brought up being single, I think. And then I said something like, ‘I’m single now,’ and he was like, ‘oh.’ But I said it in a more eloquent way. God, I don’t know. Somehow it was communicated…I opened the door, and he walked through.”
After going back and forth via social media and out for drinks – Harrison realized Zima was in it for the right reasons, and they took the next step to strengthen their relationship. Before finding each other, both were married.
Harrison previously tied the knot with his college sweetheart, Gwen Harrison. During their 18 years of marriage, the two had had Son Joshua and daughter Taylor together. Chris and Gwen called it quits in 2012.
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