Instagram @luke_pell
We are so disappointed in ABC’s decision to make Nick Viall the new Bachelor. But that’s really besides the point. What we really need to focus on is our Bachelorette superstar Luke Pell, who after being dumped by JoJo Fletcher, seemed to be a surefire pick to be the next Bachelor. However, in a decision that came out of absolutely nowhere, ABC opted to go with former Bachelorette runner-up and Bachelor in Paradise contestant Nick Viall.
Well, Luke is finally speaking out about the last-minute switch-up in an exclusive interview with E! News. Pell confirmed with the network that he did, in fact, have his bags all packed and his contract finalized. That is until he got a call from the network informing him that they were going a different direction:
“Over the past few weeks leading up to the announcement, we had come to terms with a contract that everyone on both ends was happy with. We planned out what the season would look like in detail. They even asked about my sister coming on an episode of the show. Casting was almost, if not completely, finalized.
The decision was made apparently on Sunday, and I was supposed to fly to L.A. Monday and already had all my bags packed. They called me Sunday night and said it wasn’t me. I didn’t know who the Bachelor was—I found out with the rest of America.”
What the heck ABC?! That is so messed up. Luckily, Pell says he’s doing “fine” since being given the news, despite being disappointed with the manner in which it was handled:
I’m fine, I’m content. It’s the same as how I left The Bachelorette, unexpectedly. I felt like I didn’t deserve that. I don’t have a problem with it if they think that they have a better candidate for the show, that’s fine. But it’s the way that it was handled. Asking me to be genuine and authentic and open and vulnerable…and then I don’t get genuine and authentic in return from the organization.
For now, Luke is just happy to be home and getting some much-needed downtime:
“I’m so happy to be back in Nashville,” he reveals. “I have a couple entrepreneurial ventures and non-profits I’m working with. I’m also a songwriter. I love what I do, and I loved it before I was ever cast on The Bachelorette. I’m excited, and I’m glad I have so many good friends in Nashville. I’m excited for what the future holds.”
