The Bachelor producers dumped Luke Pell last minute when determining Nick Viall should be the show's next star, and Pell seems to be harboring some resentment.
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Pell said producers made the decision to cast Viall as Season 21's Bachelor on August 28 and he learned of the news hours before he was scheduled to fly to Los Angeles to begin filming. Viall was then officially announced as the leading man on Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise's August 30 broadcast.
"I don't have a problem with it," Pell said of Viall being selected as the Bachelor.
"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."
Pell seemed upset producers didn't even give him the courtesy of revealing whom they picked for the role instead.
"I didn't know who the Bachelor was -- I found out with the rest of America," revealed Pell, who was the fan-favorite out of JoJo Fletcher's season of The Bachelorette.
Several weeks leading up to the big announcement, Pell was preparing for the show in every way.
"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," Pell told E! News. "They even asked about my sister coming on an episode of the show. Casting was almost, if not completely, finalized."
Despite the blow, Pell said he's looking forward to settling back into his normal life.
"I'm so happy to be back in Nashville," the war veteran insisted.
"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."
The Bachelor's next season starring Viall will premiere in January 2017.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
