Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima’s Complete Relationship Timeline

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Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima's Complete Relationship Timeline

A match made in TV host heaven! Chris Harrison and Lauren Zima first connected professionally while working on The Bachelor and Entertainment Tonight, respectively, but their relationship eventually blossomed into something more. The couple started dating in August 2018 after the former "Roses and Rosé" host made the first move by sliding into Harrison's DMs after feeling a "vibe." During a July 2019 interview with former Bachelor Nick Viall, Zima said she knew the Perfect Letter author for about three years before they started getting flirtatious. “It was always incredibly professional," she explained. “Not in a negative way … but I never looked at him and ever considered [if] I found him attractive.” The Chicago native said that the shift first took place when the duo connected at a craft service table while filming. “He just gave me a different vibe,” Zima told Viall. “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. ... I opened the door and he walked through.” The pair made their relationship red carpet official in January 2019, appearing together at a party for the Screen Actors Guild Awards. Several months later, Zima celebrated the couple's one-year anniversary with an Instagram tribute to her beau. [jwplayer tcVuhLTI-zhNYySv2] "In this year I’ve leaned on you, laughed with you and fallen in love with you for the incredible man that you are,” she wrote in August 2019. “Thank you for adding to my life with your positivity, perspective and patience, and for supporting me in becoming exactly who I want to be." The twosome sparked marriage rumors in early 2021 when Harrison posted a photo of his then-girlfriend in a white gown that looked like a wedding dress, but he later clarified that the picture was from a wedding they'd attended where Zima was a bridesmaid. Several months later, however, the pair made the next move and got engaged. "I love you @laurenzima The next chapter starts now!" the Texas native wrote in October 2021 in an Instagram post announcing the news. "I didn’t know love could be like this," Zima added in her own post. "You are the most incredible partner." Harrison was previously wed to his college sweetheart, Gwen Harrison. The former couple divorced in 2012 after 18 years of marriage and share son Joshua and daughter Taylor. Keep scrolling for a look back at Chris and Zima's complete relationship timeline: [podcast_block]

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August 2018

Chris asked the TV presenter out for a drink after they exchanged a handful of messages via Instagram. They'd previously worked together, but Zima later said she felt a "vibe" after they knew each other for about three years.

Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Zima/Instagram

October 2018

The duo celebrated Halloween together by dressing up as Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga's characters from A Star Is Born.

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January 2019

The pair made their red carpet debut at a party for the Screen Actors Guild Awards.

Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Zima/Instagram

July 2019

In an interview for Viall's "The Viall Files" podcast, Zima revealed that she made the first move in the relationship.

Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Zima/Instagram

August 2019

"Thank you for being a source of joy, and for knowing that life is good when love is easy," Zima wrote via Instagram in a post celebrating the duo's one-year anniversary. "Oh, and big thanks for the copious amounts of wine."

Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Zima/Instagram

July 2020

The University of Missouri grad celebrated Chris' birthday with an Instagram tribute detailing how much she missed him when he was away filming The Bachelor. "You’re off working on some incredible television show right now (I can’t remember the name,) so we’re not together, but we hadn’t been apart for about four months, and I’ve never done that with anyone in my life," she wrote. "All it did was make me love you more and cherish every moment with you. So, I love you, I miss you — and I love that I miss you."

Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Zima/Instagram

November 2020

To celebrate Zima's 33rd birthday, Chris took his love for a sunset sailboat cruise complete with rosé champagne and charcuterie.

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February 2021

After Chris temporarily stepped down as host of The Bachelor following his defense of Rachael Kirkconnell's past racist actions, Zima issued a statement on the situation via her Instagram Stories. “What Chris said was wrong and disappointing,” she wrote. “Defending racism can never happen. Accountability comes first, what’s next is learning and growth.”

Chris permanently exited the franchise in June 2021. 

Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Zima/Instagram

April 2021

The couple denied rumors that they secretly tied the knot after attending a wedding together where Zima served as a bridesmaid.

Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Zima/Instagram

June 2021

"Seeing how much you care for family made me fall for you even more than I already was," Zima wrote of her beau for Father's Day alongside an Instagram photo showing Chris with his two kids. "You’re a father who is always trying his best and is there for his kids in every moment: unendingly loving, protective and putting others above yourself."

Credit: Courtesy of Lauren Zima/Instagram

July 2021

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Chris Harrison!!!" Zima wrote via Instagram to celebrate the host's milestone birthday. "The big *50*… and you’ve never looked better 😍 It’s hard to put how much I love you into words, but bottom line: this birthday is a big one, and I couldn’t feel more grateful that you were born. You are the best man I’ve ever known."

Credit: Courtesy of Chris Harrison/Instagram

October 2021

The couple announced their engagement via Instagram with a series of photos from Chris' proposal. "Thank you for loving me, championing me and asking me to marry you," Zima wrote. "Here’s to the next amazing chapter, and all the rest."

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June 2022

The twosome returned to the red carpet for the 49th annual Daytime Emmys.

“Wow what an incredible night at the #DaytimeEmmys @laurenzima I’m so unbelievably proud of you. It’s an honor to have a front row seat to watch you at your craft. To win an Emmy (your 3rd!) is nice recognition but for me it’s always about the effort it takes and yours is unmatched,” he penned via Instagram. “Nobody sees the 90% of the iceberg under the water but I do. What it really takes to achieve what you have. I see how much love, respect and admiration you get from your coworkers especially your crew. It is a privilege to be by your side ❤️.”

Credit: Courtesy of Chris Harrison/Instagram

December 2022

“Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah from our family to you and yours,” Harrison wrote alongside a pic with Zima and his two kids via Instagram. “Wishing you love, peace and joy this season. I hope you got everything on your list…unless you were naughty.”

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January 2023

Harrison launched “The Most Dramatic Podcast Ever” with Zima by his side.

During the third episode, she revealed that “people in the industry” told her to break up with Harrison amid his controversy. “I’m divorced too. To me, everybody is going to make mistakes. … It’s all about how you respond to those mistakes. I did not break up with Chris – that was never even on my mind,” she explained. “Because right away, Chris knew he had been imperfect, knew he had made a mistake, knew that he’d hurt people and that he was so sorry for hurting people.”