Nick Viall says he’s both “nervous” and “excited.”
And for good reason: he has officially been named ABC’s next Bachelor!
The long-time reality star was confirmed for this role on Tuesday night when former Bachelors Sean Lowe and Ben Higgins joined Michelle Collins via video call.
The announcement took place during the Bachelor in Paradise after-show, which featured Viall talking about the journey to come.
It will begin, of course, with his Bachelor in Paradise romance with Jen Saviano obviously not working out.
“You’ll have to watch to see how it ends,” Viall said, proving he’s already adept at episode teases.
Having appeared this year on Bachelor in Paradise and twice on The Bachelorette – coming in second to Josh Murray for Andi Dorfman’s final rose in season 10; and losing to Shawn Booth for Kaitlyn Bristowe’s affection – Nick joked about his fourth time seeking love through ABC:
“I certainly have the practice.”
But will he have the wife when all is said and done?
“I don’t know if anything really prepares you for it,” he said, adding:
“I’ve had an interesting journey throughout this process – it hasn’t worked out so far, and hopefully this time around maybe things will end up on a more positive note.
“I can’t be more excited about the possibility of it actually all working out.”
It’s too early for us to know for certain, of course, but we feel confident in already issuing a Bachelor Spoilers report:
Viall’s future romance will not work out.
Viall, meanwhile, has often feuded with Chad Johnson, arguably the most outspoken contestant in series history.
So you just know Johnson had a few things to say about Viall earning this new role.
“I think Nick will do and say whatever he thinks will make America like him,” Johnson told Us Weekly in response.
“He proved that’s what he does by completely changing his behavior from The Bachelorette to his performance on Bachelor in Paradise.”
Via Twitter, he hilariously added:
Imma storm over the wall of the Bachelor Mansion and bang all the chicks while Nicks asleep. #TheBachelor
The friction between these two hunks started when Murray asked Amanda Stanton on a date just after she had been on a date with Viall, prompting Nick to suggest that the Johnson was pursuing the single mom purely out of spite.
How does Saviano feel about Viall as The Bachelor?
Amy Schumer chugging a huge glass of wine pretty much summed it up for her last night:
But others related to this franchise were happy about the news.
“We took my mom out to dinner and missed the announcement, but I’m so thrilled for @viallnicholas28 being the next Bachelor! Congrats, Nick!” Tweeted Jade Tolbert.
J.P. Rosenbaum was also happy for Viall, writing:
“If anyone ever deserved to be #TheBachelor, it’s @viallnicholas28.”
As for JJ Lane?
“With @viallnicholas28 as #TheBachelor, I can guarantee that Fantasy Suite gets a lot of use!”
HA!
In closing, what is Viall looking for in a partner?
“I’ve always been attracted to women who are very confident and know their own self-worth,” he said on the Bachelor in Paradise after-show.
He’s after “someone who makes me a better person and challenges me and isn’t afraid to, you know, give it as much as I like to.”
Bachelor in Paradise airs on ABC Mondays and Tuesdays at 8/7c, while The Bachelor returns to ABC on Mondays in early 2017.