ABC has made its decision.
It has come out and stunned the reality show world by declaring Nick Viall the next Bachelor.
This spring, when the beloved series returns with new episodes, Viall will given his FOURTH chance to find love on television, after having failed twice on The Bachelorette and once on Bachelor in Paradise.
The decision came as a surprise to those who follow this franchise, as most assumed Luke Pell would be next in line to propose …
… and then break up with his winner a few months after the finale.
But no. It will be Viall.
Do you agree with this decision?
Does Viall’s underdog story make him a better Bachelor candidate than Pell?
Let ABC hear your voice in the following poll. Cast your vote in response to the question:
WHO SHOULD BE THE NEXT BACHELOR?
Nick Viall will be The Bachelor in the spring of 2017. But would you prefer to have seen Luke Pell picked for this position? View Poll »
As for why Viall was selected, insiders have told E! News that he’s actually been a joy to work with this summer on Bachelor in Paradise.
You may not have always loved Viall in front of the camera, but he’s reportedly easy to work with behind the camera.
Then there’s this angle:
“He’s the villain who became a hero. It became a comeback story that was irresistible,” another source tells E!.
Nick also has the blessing of the man, the myth and the legend himself.
When asked about Viall as The Bachelor, Chris Harrison said the following to Good Morning America yesterday:
“‘Ultimately, at the end of the day when we were discussing all of the candidate… it just got down to the final question of, ‘Who’s the most deserving? Who is the most sincere?
‘Who have we watched time and time again really come on the show to find love and just come up short each and every time?’
Is the idea of Nick Viall as The Bachelor crazy? Yes, Harrison admits.
But it may just be “crazy enough to work,” he says.
Viall is well aware that his long history with this franchise may be a turn off to some people.
But he can’t do anything about their opinion.
“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,” he said on air after being introduced during the Bachelor in Paradise after-show.
“I can’t be more excited about the possibility of it actually all working out.”
Pell, meanwhile, has been feeling the love on social media.
He shared a meme online yesterday that said he trusts God’s plan for everything and added as a caption:
“Thanks for all the love and support over the past few months, sometimes in life we are faced with unexpected changes.
“I’m happy to be back home in Nashville and so excited about what the future holds.”
We now know that the future on ABC holds a major platform for Viall.
Does he deserve it?
Weigh in above and let us know!
Editor’s Note: We think we all can agree that as long as The Bachelor produces an epic meltdown or two, we don’t really care who the actual Bachelor is.
Right?
It’s okay. We’ll go ahead and make that admission in case you are afraid to do the same.