These Bachelors are getting down to business! Nick Viall will captivate the country (again!) come January 2, when he officially steps into his role as The Bachelor on the season 21 premiere of ABC’s beloved franchise.
Before he becomes well-acquainted with the dozens of contestants vying for his attention, Viall will first meet with three former Bachelors to receive quality advice. According to ABC, the new Bachelor will have drinks with Sean Lowe, Chris Soules, and Ben Higgins in the latest leg of his quest for love.
(ABC/Rick Rowell)
Among the three men, one is married (Lowe), another is engaged (Higgins), and the last is single after breaking off his engagement from the series (Soules). All three can certainly attest to the pressures and trials of being the Bachelor. Photos from the hangout feature the men sitting outdoors and toasting to Viall’s journey ahead.
(ABC/Rick Rowell)
(ABC/Rick Rowell)
(ABC/Rick Rowell)
(ABC/Rick Rowell)
The names of Viall’s 30 bachelorettes have yet to be released, but his bio is juicy. The salesman—who was the finalist on not one, but two seasons of The Bachelorette—will finally be making the decisions.
“After all these years, and all the heartbreak, it’s finally Nick’s turn to hand out the roses,” his bio reads. “Will he finally find that love he’s craved? He believes in finding love on the series and hopes it is his time now.”
Other photos from the episode show longtime host Chris Harrison greeting Viall at the mansion. Viall was announced as the new Bachelor in late August–but there was some pushback from critics. Harrison explained in a subsequent interview why producers ultimately chose him for the role.
(ABC/Rick Rowell)
(ABC/Rick Rowell)
According to Harrison, Viall “sincerely tried to make it work” in the past–He even joined the cast of Bachelor in Paradise in hopes to find his match. “Unfortunately, he’s just come up a little bit short each time,” Harrison previously acknowledged on Good Morning America. “He’s done his part. He will give himself to this process.”
(ABC/Mitch Haaseth)
Season 21 of The Bachelor premieres January 2 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
