Luke Pell and Danielle Lombard: Dating?!?

If you don’t find love on your season of The Bachelor/The Bachelorette, is it best to stick to dating other participants of the shows in Bachelor Nation?

That appears to be the question Luke Pell and Danielle Lombard were asking when they started getting up close and personal.

For the record, there is no official confirmation yet about whether they are a thing.

However, the rumors went into overdrive when the couple attended the Music Lounge by iHeartMedia + BMG Media Event with fellow Bachelor Nation member, Vinny Ventiera. 

People at the event claimed that Pell and Lombard were all over each other, so it definitely sounds like they are well on their way to becoming the next couple in the franchise. 

Pell apparently debunked rumors of them dating after an interview with US Weekly, but it sure seems like the duo are trying to keep their relationship as low-key as possible. 

It’s difficult to imagine their relationship flourishing if Pell was successful at being the suitor on The Bachelor Season 21. Yes, there were rumblings that he was all set to film the promotional campaign for the series. 

That all fell apart when it was announce Nick Viall would take on the coveted role and Pell was left out to pasture. It was a random turn of events, but it drummed up a lot of interest for the show. 

Pell, on the other hand, was not impressed with the eleventh-hour switcheroo and revealed his shock at Viall’s casting in interviews. If it really went down the way Pell said it did, it’s understandable that he would be annoyed. 

For what it’s worth, Nick’s season was actually pretty good. It was full of drama (thanks to Corinne!), and the contestants were pretty memorable. 

Nick eventually chose Vanessa Grimaldi as the woman he would propose to. It was cute but expected. 

What do you think about all of this?

Sound off below!

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"Bachelorette" Star Luke Pell -- Strips Down For the Dogs (VIDEO)

‘Bachelorette’ alum Luke Pell didn’t score a gig as the next ‘Bachelor,’ but he might want to see if Chippendales is hiring after making $ 1,500 for taking off his shirt. Luke, a fan favorite from JoJo’s season, swept the Cocktails for Canines…

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Luke Pell Speaks on Bachelor Snub: ABC Screwed Me!

Okay, so maybe Luke Pell isn’t taking the whole Bachelor casting snub thing very well after all…

On Tuesday night, ABC stunned viewers by passing over Pell (the presumed favorite) in favor of Nick Viall as the next Bachelor.

Starting this spring with new episodes of the reality series, Viall will be given his fourth shot to find contrived love, following a pair of runner-up finishes on The Bachelorette and his current gig on Bachelor in Paradise.

The selection came as a shock to those who watch The Bachelor online and who follow this franchise closely.

At first, however, Pell seemed to take the rejection in stride.

Just consider the following meme and message:

“Thanks for all the love and support over the past few months, sometimes in life we are faced with unexpected changes,” Pell wrote on Instagram.

A tad bit extreme, considering this “unexpected challenge” and this reference to God having a plan in centered on anchoring The Bachelor?

Some might say.

But it at least proven that Pell was handling the surprising selection very well.

Now, however, Pell has come out and told Us Weekly that he was closer than folks could have possibly imagined to being named The Bachelor.

And then it was taken away from him.

“We were all satisfied, had agreed to the contracts and everything was moving forward,” Pell explains to Us Weekly.

“I was checked in to my flight to come to L.A. I got a call from producers Sunday night at about 10 p.m. They said ABC had decided to quote-unquote go in a different direction.

“I was supposed to fly out Monday morning at 9 a.m. I had my bags packed and everything.”

And the Winner is?

Nick Viall

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Vote for Nick

Luke Pell

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Vote for Luke

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 »

Pell became a fan favorite this past season on The Bachelorette while he was competing to be JoJo Fletcher’s husband.

ABC executives have admitted that Viall was chosen at the last minute, but we didn’t realize it really was at the very last minute.

According to Pell, far more than just an airline ticket had been purchased.

“We had planned for intro filming and had planned to have my sister come on for a date and give advice as part of the show,” he says of how far into negotiations he got with the network.

“I met with the wardrobe guys. Everything was moving forward. Everyone on the production level was expecting it to be me, as well.”

Is Pell bitter over the way things went?

Yes, clearly. Sort of at least.

But he’s an alum of West Point. He’s come to “accept the decision,” he says, pointing to his military background in his response.

“From all my years in the military, I’ve learned that some things are out of my control,” he told Us Weekly, adding:

“I put it in the past, and I’m moving forward. It was a huge surprise, but the element of surprise and unexpected decisions is what the show thrives off of.”

That’s very true.

Would he do The Bachelor some time down the line if asked? Probably not.

For now, Pell is home in Nashville and says he’s focused on being “an entrepreneur and a songwriter.”

He’s also still focused on finding a wife. If you’re interested, here is what he’s looking for in a soulmate:

“I love somebody that is excited about life and has goals and dreams/

“I love independence. I love confidence. I love somebody that loves family and loves to have fun and who is completely comfortable in their own skin.”

View Slideshow: Nick Viall as The Bachelor: Twitter Reacts!

Nick Viall vs. Luke Pell: Who is YOUR Bachelor?

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?

And the Winner is?

Nick Viall

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Vote for Nick

Luke Pell

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Vote for Luke

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.

View Slideshow: Nick Viall as The Bachelor: Twitter Reacts!

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!

View Slideshow: 12 Most Epic Meltdowns in Bachelor History

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.

Luke Pell: The Next Bachelor?!

Bachelorette star Luke Pell is the front-runner to be the next Bachelor, besting Robby Hayes and Chase McNary, according to a new report.

A source quoted by celebrity news magazine Us Weekly claims:

“It’s looking like Luke right now as the next Bachelor, but there are a couple others on the back burner in case he doesn’t work out.”

So it’s a done deal? Not quite, but Pell sounds like the favorite.

While there has been talk of Mike Fleiss and ABC making Chase McNary The Bachelor or Robby Hayes The Bachelor, it’s all speculation.

If Luke Pell gets the nod … fans most likely would not complain.

Pell, 31, instantly became a fan favorite in the journey for JoJo Fletcher’s heart, as The Bachelorette beauty often gushed about Luke.

“Luke and I have a very emotional relationship, but we have, like, that physical connection down. Like, we have it down!” JoJo said.

“Every time we kiss, I get the feeling where I have to, like, take a breath. I have to take a moment because that spark is just … it’s crazy.”

No wonder he lasted as long as he did … albeit not to the finale against an unusually strong (and at times, controversial) group of contenders.

Ultimately, even that electric intimacy didn’t quite cut it for her.

The war veteran made it to the final four, but was sent home following the hometown dates in favor of McNary, Hayes and Jordan Rodgers.

Jordan, as we know, took home the final rose on the finale.

View Slideshow: Jordan Rodgers and JoJo Fletcher: A Love Story in Photos!

While Fletcher and Rodgers are engaged and plan to reside together in Dallas, Pell (like Hayes) was left heartbroken following the split.

JoJo dispatched Luke just minutes after he dropped those three magic words – I love you – that further endeared him to Bachelor Nation.

“I still do love her,” he said during the show’s Men Tell All episode.

The handsome contestant didn’t hurt his own cause in terms of earning a promotion when he added: “[She’ll] always have a piece of my heart.”

Despite the way things ended in painstaking, emotional fashion, Luke and JoJo seemed to be on good terms at the After the Final Rose taping.

Even more, the bride-to-be seemed to offer her endorsement.

“If you ask me personally, I think both Luke and Chase are great options,” JoJo said on ABC’s Good Morning America on August 2.

“I think Robby is a great choice, too,” Fletcher adds, however:

“When I sent Luke home, America just died. There was an overwhelming amount of support and love for him and I totally get it.”

What do you think? Should Pell get the nod, or would McNary or Hayes be better options to dole out the roses come January?

Or would Wells (above, right) be a dark horse pick that fans would fall in love with, having formed less of an impression beforehand? 

And where would Luke rank among these dudes? Discuss!

View Slideshow: 13 Hottest Bachelors in ABC History

The Bachelorette Promo: Will Luke Pell Get the Boot After All?

It"s a dramatic, two-night special event.

The Bachelorette returns Monday, July 25 for the back half of its final four cliffhanger, then continues with the annual Men Tell All filler.

Let"s begin with this evening"s portion.

Will the final three men, as predicted by The Bachelorette spoilers months ago, advance to the Fantasy Suite portion of this epic season?

After the rose ceremony cliffhanger that ended last Monday"s show, we"ve been waiting a full week to see Luke Pell gets the boot or not.

JoJo Fletcher seemed fairly sure of that decision, but did she change her mind when he pulled her aside and told her that he was in love?

Or did the producers just masterfully break up the episodes to make it look like that was a possibility and hype up this two-night EVENT?

Our bet would be squarely on the latter, but that"s just us.

Whomever gets the axe, JoJo will go on one-on-one dates with all three of her suitors in Thailand, as they vie for the Fantasy Suite key.

How many men will JoJo invite there, and who among the final three move on to the season finale one week from tonight (August 1)?

From where we sit now, it"s hard to see anyone but Jordan Rodgers and Robby Hayes – despite their baggage – surviving tonight"s episode.

Yes, the jocks have come under heavy scrutiny for their past relationships and actions, and plenty of doubts have been raised about both.

We just see a Jordan-Robby final as inevitable, however.

As for the Men Tell All special, airing Tuesday night … Bachelorette host Chris Harrison calls it the most anticipated reunion show ever.

Which may actually be true. The bar is set low, but still.

There are plenty of questions to be answered when the most talked about men of the season reunite. Such as:

– How does Derek feel after leaving Argentina in tears?

– Is James Taylor still heartbroken after being dumped?

– Is Chad Johnson about to f–king flip out on people?

Gonna say yes to all three. Again, we don"t know that for a fact, but it feels like a safe bet. How do you think all of this will play out?

Check out ABC"s promo below and tell us: