After weeks of speculation, the next Bachelor was finally announced on After Paradise on Tuesday night, and in a twist no one saw coming, Bachelor in Paradise star (and two-time Bachelorette contestant) Nick Viall was named ABC's new leading man.
Say whaaaa?! But wasn't it supposed to be one of JoJo Fletcher's contestants from this season of The Bachelorette, Luke Pell or Chase McNary, with Luke being the frontrunner, you might be asking. And it's a valid question, as the change was a last-minute one that stunned Bachelor Nation.
"In just the last few days, it totally switched," a source exclusively tells E! News. "Nick's closest friends and Bachelor in Paradise co-stars didn't even know until moments before it was announced on After Paradise."
Another source close to Nick confirmed the timing. "It was completely a last minute decision that only came together in the past few days. A very small handful of people knew. Nothing has been shot yet. There's a lot that still needs to be figured out," a source tells us.
And it was Nick's turn on this season of BIP that helped secure him the new gig after being the runner-up in Andi Dorfman AND Kaitlyn Bristowe's seasons of The Bachelorette.
"Nick is a low-key and chill to work with," the source explains. "He also had a great edit this season on BIP."
Another insider adds, "As Paradise started airing, he became a massive fan favorite. He's the villain who became a hero. It became a comeback story that was irresistible."
The Bachelor host Chris Harrison said Nick was the most deserving choice, and another source tells us it will be a different season than past years. "They liked what Nick brings to the table. He's a little older, more mature. It will be a very different season than, say, [Ben Higgins']," our source says. "He's comfortable being himself around women. He's not afraid to have real conversations."
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