Juan Pablo Galavis has been announced as the next The Bachelor star by ABC.
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Galavis, a 32-year-old Venezuelan former pro soccer player from Miami, FL, has officially been named the star of The Bachelor's upcoming eighteenth edition, which will premiere in January of next year.
"It was hard to make the decision. I talked to people and family and [my daughter] Camilla and Camilla's mom. It's a great responsibility because I'm going to find, hopefully, the person that's going to be with me and my daughter," Galavis told host Chris Harrison during last night's After the Final Rose special.
"That's what I'm looking for."
Galavis competed for Desiree Hartsock's heart but got eliminated early on -- about halfway through The Bachelorette's ninth season. Galavis got very little screen-time but managed to make a huge impression on female fans, as he had received the loudest applause of all Hartsock's suitors during The Men Tell All taping.
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E! News had reported late last month Galavis was nearing a deal to become the next Bachelor and had "been told the gig is his if he wants it," according to a show source.
"He's definitely interested and will most likely accept, although nothing's been signed yet. Not only do women seem to love him, casting him will help soothe accusations the series doesn't include enough minorities."
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski