Nick Viall has addressed rumors there may be something romantic brewing between The Bachelor alum Kelley Flanagan and himself.
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In a Wednesday promo for an upcoming episode of The Viall Files podcast, Nick set the record straight on Kelley dating rumors after the pair supposedly got "cozy" at a party hosted by Chris Harrison earlier this month.
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"I met Kelley at Chris' event. She's a nice person. She didn't disappoint in person," Nick, 39, said of the 28-year-old Chicago attorney.
"I thought she'd be cool in person. Everyone likes to think that there's always something going on -- and there's not."
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Nick, who starred on The Bachelor's 21st season, and Kelley, who got eliminated by Peter Weber before hometown dates on The Bachelor's 24th edition, got to know each other at a Seagram's launch party in Los Angeles, CA, hosted by Chris on March 11.
"I really enjoyed getting to meet Kelley," Nick added. "She's wonderful in person."
According to a source, Nick approached Kelley and fellow The Bachelor bachelorettes Kelsey Weier and Mykenna Dorn at the party and they "all hung out" and "talked for awhile."
"[Nick and Kelley] looked pretty friendly while chatting with one another," the source told Us Weekly.
Nick and Kelley first sparked speculation they might start dating when they both posted a photo with each other this past weekend from the event.
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Kelley in a sexy green dress and Nick in a white T-shirt and gray jacket were leaning against each other in the picture, but they were both keeping their hands to themselves.
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Nick captioned the photo, "She's not with Peter," and Chris noticeably commented on it, "Loved seeing you guys get so cozy last night. Here for it."
Chris' disclosure resulted in a flood of other comments, mainly people supporting the idea of Nick and Kelley starting a relationship.
The Bachelorette alum Dean Unglert wrote, "OMG DATE," in the comments section.
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Hannah Ann Sluss -- who competed against Kelley for Peter's heart on The Bachelor's latest season -- wrote, "Wow I'm kind of liking this," alongside an emoticon with heart eyes.
And actress Rachel Bilson, who was once linked to Nick, commented, "This alone makes up for that disastrous season."
Nick admitted on his podcast he knew posting the photo with Kelley would probably cause a stir.
"When I posted the photo with Kelley, I was totally aware of what people might say," Nick acknowledged.
Nick compared the situation to former The Bachelorette star Hannah Brown hanging out with her runner-up Tyler Cameron in Florida a lot recently.
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While many sources have insisted Hannah and Tyler are just friends, fans continue to wonder if they're secretly dating.
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"I think it's entirely possible they could be dating. It's also entirely possible they're just friends," Nick said on his podcast of the former couple.
"You know? I have no idea... I don't think they're against people speculating. You don't put that on the Internet if you mind people speculating... No harm, no foul."
Nick explained everyone who appears on The Bachelor franchise shares "a very unique experience."
"It's very hard for other people to relate to. There's a lot of comfort that comes with that, and Hannah and Tyler shared a mutual experience and there's a comfort level there," Nick explained.
"Does that mean they're dating? It's possible! But it doesn't necessarily mean they're dating... It would make a lot of sense if they're just hanging out as friends. But who knows, I know nothing!"
Nick said he has hung out with former The Bachelorette stars and exes Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe multiple times but that doesn't mean anything romantic was ever going on between them.
Kelley was rumored to be secretly dating Peter while his season was airing, but she recently confirmed to E! News that was far from the truth.
"I have heard that. I heard that I'm pregnant and I also heard that I'm with Peter right now. I'm not with Peter," Kelley insisted.
Kelley assured E! News, "I promise I'm not dating Peter. I'm not dating Peter... I think it's best for Peter to take some time to be by himself and figure out what he's doing, reflect on everything that's going on and just figure out what he wants."
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Kelley departed The Bachelor feeling disappointed in Peter for not being mature enough for her or seeming ready for an engagement and serious commitment.
Meanwhile, Nick has been single ever since his August 2017 breakup from The Bachelor 21 winner, Vanessa Grimaldi, except for a little dating here or there.
Nick finished as the runner-up on Andi and Kaitlyn's respective The Bachelorette editions and had his heart broken both times. He briefly dated Jennifer Saviano on Bachelor in Paradise's third season in 2016 before starring as The Bachelor and handing out roses himself.
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