Reality Steve Predicted Wrong ‘Bachelor’: Fans, Alumni Shocked Over Nick Viall Switch

Reality Steve has been predicting and spoiling Bachelor and Bachelorette seasons for a long time now. It is not very often he is wrong with his predictions, but this time around he was. The past two months Steve has said fan favorite, Luke Pell, from JoJo Fletcher’s season of The Bachelorette would be named as the leading man. Steve, fans and alumni were thrown a huge curve ball when Nick Viall was unexpectedly named The Bachelor for the 2017 season.

Saying everyone is shocked would be an understatement. Bachelor creator Mike Fleiss has been teasing fans for weeks promising to share the big announcement on Twitter. True to his word, Fleiss tweeted to fans moments before Nick was introduced on After Paradise. He stated Viall would be the next Bachelor. Nobody knew if the tweet was legit or another prank by Fleiss. Last season Nick willingly played along as host Chris Harrison had him on stage for an update prior to revealing that it would actually be Ben Higgins handing out roses for the 2016 season. Once everyone realized Nick was really the new man of the hour social media went crazy.

Bummed I couldn't spoil it, but kinda quietly excited for Nick as the next Bachelor.

— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) August 31, 2016

You guys…I LOVE this decision. Ask anyone around me…Have always loved @viallnicholas28 ????? #TheBachelor @Millsy11374 @fleissmeister ??

— Molly Mesnick (@MollyMesnick) August 31, 2016

When one of your closest friends and life mentor is THE FREAKINNNNN BACHELORRRRRR!!! OMG best surprise of my life @viallnicholas28!

— Ashley Iaconetti (@ashleyiaco) August 31, 2016

Nick Viall has always been the runner-up. He came in second on both Andi Dorfman’s and Kaitlyn Bristowe’s season of The Bachelorette. Nick took a chance at facing heartbreak for a third time when he decided to join the season three cast of Bachelor in Paradise. While things started out slow for Viall he soon met Jen Saviano and the two seemed to have tons of chemistry. Nick reportedly admitted to Amanda Stanton prior to the show that Jen was someone he was looking forward to meeting in paradise. While it has not yet been shown on television, Nick and Jen will ultimately decide to part ways at the end of the Bachelor in Paradise season.

Viall shared on After Paradise that while he is nervous, he is very excited and ready to start this new journey. Alumni of the franchise all took the announcement as an opportunity to tease Nick that this time he finally cannot be the runner-up. Sean Lowe shared on Instagram that he thinks Viall will be a good Bachelor. He added that he hopes Nick will find love so he can stop being runner-up. Evan Bass also shared those sentiments when he went to Twitter and said, “So happy Nick can’t be the runner up as #The Bachelor.”

Nick Viall has had his share of controversy throughout his seasons on the show. Nick gained a lot of negative attention when he announced to the world that Andi Dorfman had sexual relations with him during their time together on the famed fantasy suite date. While some love to hate Nick there now seems to more who can’t get enough of Viall. Dorfman even took the high road and wished Nick well on his journey to find love.

While many are happy producers decided to go with Nick for the leading role, there are still questions and tons of shock as to why the job was not given to Luke Pell. Chris Harrison spoke with People and shared that Nick is the most sincere about finding love. Harrison said Viall was chosen because it just made the most sense. He said, “It’s about giving him his chance to find love. Who deserves it more than him?”

While Viall is definitely deserving of the title and has a strong fan base to cheer him on throughout his journey, many feel bad for Luke. UsWeekly shared that everyone, including Pell, believed he was getting the role of TheBachelor. Pell, along with the rest of the world, were shocked by the last minute switch to Nick. He had his bags packed and ready to depart for Los Angeles the following morning when the call came from producers that they were going in a different direction after all. While it was a shock to him and everyone else, Luke has no hard feelings towards the situation. He simply says he is ready to get his life back on track.

Filming for Nick Viall’s upcoming season has not yet began. According to Reality Steve, filming will begin in approximately three weeks and should wrap up in November. Bachelor viewers will have some time to let the shock sink in that Nick will be handing out the roses next season. Viall’s season of The Bachelor is scheduled to premiere on ABC in early January 2017.

[Photo by Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty Images]