Luke Pell & ‘The Bachelor’ 2017 Shakeup: His Gig Taken Away Just Hours After Packing His Bags To Film Show

Luke Pell was the stunned casualty of The Bachelor 2017 shakeup on Tuesday night after another lead was named for Season 21. It was a shattering twist for Pell when producers pulled the rug out from under him and announced Nick Viall as the next Bachelor.

Sources on Wednesday revealed to different news outlets that the decision was a last-minute switch-up. Only a handful of people knew about the eleventh-hour change that gave Nick the coveted spot over Luke. Host Chris Harrison said producers unanimously decided that Nick was the most sincere and deserving of all the candidates.

What went down and how did Luke Pell learn that he wasn’t going to be on The Bachelor 2017 looking for love?

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RBPyjdPp0hY

The original fan favorite shared what unfolded as producers rushed through one of the most unprecedented changes to hit The Bachelor franchise.

In speaking to Us magazine, Luke described how everything was complete as far as he being named the official lead for Season 21. Little did he know that he’d get one of the worst phone calls in his life soon afterward.

“We were all satisfied, had agreed to the contracts and everything was moving forward. 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. Most dramatic Monday ever!”

Producers thought a different direction meant going with Nick Viall, a contestant on seasons 10 and 11 of The Bachelorette with Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe. He’s also a current contestant on Bachelor in Paradise Season 3. Spoilers for BiP were flying in all directions when it was revealed Nick got the gig. At the time of the announcement, Nick was dating Jen Saviano, but fans didn’t know the couple was going to split up before their season in Paradise came to an end.

Exclusive! @Luke__Pell opens up to Us about #TheBachelor‘s last-minute switch-up: https://t.co/5tHBiiK8CW pic.twitter.com/ObL9J6l20Y

— Us Weekly (@usweekly) September 1, 2016

Pell shares that even his sister was invited to film on The Bachelor, and several details had been finalized at the studio.

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

It was an unexpected blow to Luke Pell, but he’s taking it all in stride.

“I’ve come to accept the decision. From all my years in the military, I’ve learned that some things are out of my control. 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.”

If there’s anything that cast members of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette franchise know after this last-minute switch-up, no one can fully trust producers when a decision is made early on. In the end, the show’s creators and producers will do whatever it takes to make great television. If it means yanking something away from someone after all of the arrangements have been made, it’s all in the name of show business.

Nick Viall had a resurgence in popularity during his time on BiP that producers picked up on. They wanted to give Nick a fourth chance to find love on the franchise.

#TheBachelor: Nick Viall will be season 21’s leading man???? https://t.co/vXXDbph6gI pic.twitter.com/DlpkLBAV5J

— People Magazine (@people) August 31, 2016

Luke said he was “emotionally and mentally” prepared to start the show. His family was also behind him in his journey to find love. He said he’s “recalculating” what his next path is going to be. He’s excited to get back to his life in Nashville as an entrepreneur and to continue writing songs.

Luke further explained that if he was approached by producers again to do The Bachelor, he’d decline the offer, saying that he doesn’t want to “wait in the wings for what decisions they can make for my life.”

The 31-year-old will have to find love off-screen and most likely won’t have any problems. Luke said he wants a woman who’s “excited about life and has goals and dreams.” The singer continued that he loves “independence,” “confidence,” and someone who “loves family and loves to have fun and who is completely comfortable in their own skin.”

Were you crushed to hear that Luke Pell lost his gig on The Bachelor 2017?

[Photo via ABC]