(Photo credit: ABC via Facebook)

Chris Harrison, the host of the hit ABC show The Bachelor, admitted that this season's star, Ben Flajnik, had a tougher time looking for true love than previous contestants.

It doesn't compare at all to other seasons, Harrison told People. It's more competitive, darker and has raised a lot of debate and outrage from viewers. Ben was taken aback by the public outcry and the anger he's faced. The Courtney thing was not easy for him to endure.

The Courtney thing, of course, is Courtney Robertson, one of the final two contestants. The other is Lindzi Cox, a 27-year-old business development manager from Ocala, Florida.

Robertson has ignited a great deal of ire from viewers for her actions throughout the season. She admitted to not getting along with most of the other women on the show. More than one contestant went so far as to warn Flajnik about the 28-year-old model from Arizona.

But Harrison understands why Flajnik has kept her around this long.

The moment she got out of the limo his jaw dropped to the ground and she always remained a front-runner, Harrison told People.

Harrison also defended Flajnik's picks, telling People that the 28-year-old winemaker from Sonoma, California ended up with a final two he really connected with and cared about.

In a show recap he wrote for Entertainment Weekly in February, Harrison pointed out that Cox stayed away from the drama.

It seems like the only thing that could possibly slow her down is that darn blonde-ish hair, he wrote for EW. If you're just tuning in, Ben has been partial to brunettes all season long, and Lindzi is the lone blonde survivor.

The two-hour season finale of The Bachelor airs on ABC at 8 p.m. EST. It will be followed by the After the Final Rose episode, in which fans can see how it all ended.

Flajnik tweeted a hint of what was to come: Welp, tonight is the night. Stay tuned for #afterthefinalrose. Should clear up a few things ;).

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