Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimadli are tuning out critics after a widely panned debut as a couple on The Bachelor: After the Final Rose special.
As The Bachelor spoilers predicted, Nick proposed, she said yes … and predictions of their imminent demise also didn’t look far off.
Suffice it to say, alumni of Bachelor Nation and fans alike were far from confident in Nick Viall and Vanessa Grimaldi‘s future Monday.
Past stars from Sean Lowe and Catherine Guidici to J.P. Rosenbaum and Trista Sutter all took to social media to voice their skepticism.
Typically you’d see a united front, with the alumni rallying around the couple, but Viall and Grimaldi’s interaction was just that awkward.
Yet despite the negative commentary from critics doubting their love for one another, the couple are focusing on the positive together.
“You can never make people happy. At the end of the day, we are focusing on our relationship,” said Grimaldi, a special ed teacher.
“It’s so easy to focus on the negative, which sometimes I do, and Nick tries to get me out of it. But it’s the world that we’re living in.”
The duo admitted that it’s been a struggle up to this point, and that they are ready to live life together without ABC TV cameras rolling.
“I was excited for it to end, but now I am sad,” Grimaldi said.
“I mean, I’m excited for us to start our real life together.”
(NOTE: Why is she sad about it then? This is confusing.)
“She’s very much looking forward for this to be over,” Viall added, admitting, “It was very difficult for us as a couple at the end.”
While the pair are engaged, they recognize that they “have a long way to go” and “are getting to know each other” these days.
“I don’t think any relationship is perfect,” said Vanessa.
Definitely not, but most Bachelor and Bachelorette couples come out of the finale looking a bit more optimistic than these two lovebirds.
“I hope we came across as in love and passionate tonight,” Nick said, responding to the widespread sentiment that they looked miserable.
“The reality is – we joke about it, but it’s true – we don’t know what it’s like to go to the movies together, to spend time together in the real world.”
“Our relationship has been based off of stressful situations.”
Vanessa, for her part, seconded that notion and said that “I feel like it’s been on standstill for a little bit … I’m ready to move forward.”
How far forward will they move, though?
Think it’ll last? Vote in our poll below:
