Nick Viall: I don't focus my energy on whether people think I'm 'The Bachelorette' villain

Nick Viall was rejected by The Bachelorette star Kaitlyn Bristowe, who accepted a marriage proposal from Shawn Booth, during Monday night's Season 11 finale of The Bachelorette on ABC.


Viall became a runner-up once more, as Andi Dorfman dumped him for Josh Murray on The Bachelorette's tenth season. But it's not necessarily a fairy tale for Booth and Bristowe either. The couple has to deal with cyber bullies and the aftermath of a very controversial season.

During a Tuesday conference call, Viall talked to reporters about his experience on The Bachelorette and his heartwrenching almost-proposal. Below is a portion of his interview. Check back with us soon for more.

Just wanted to get some more thoughts on your mindset during the proposal and how it felt driving away in the limo.  I mean, I know it wasn't easy, but I just wanted to know if you can elaborate some more and tell me how you felt?

Nick Viall:  I mean, as far as the proposal goes, I mean, kind of watching it back, it's interesting trying to think about, you know, "Should I have known?" -- kind of, like, by the look on her face.  I remember getting out of the limo and being incredibly nervous and she looked incredibly nervous, but I didn't necessarily see that as a bad sign.


And, you know, there was a moment when I first started talking that I got emotional.  And she kind of grabbed my hand and told me it was "okay."  And I kind of took that as a very positive sign.  And then at that point, I was kind of all in, so to speak, in terms of saying what I had to say and pouring my heart out.

You know, I think, when she stops me, obviously, at first is that shock.  And, I really just wanted to keep my composure, and not kind of lose perspective of the moment.  And as far as, you know, the limo ride, I don't -- it was just a lot of shock to be honest.  I didn't really know what to think in the moment.  And it just happened. 

It was kind of a whirlwind.  And obviously, there was, you know, a lot of feelings of, you know, sadness, and anger, and frustration.  And in that moment, yeah, obviously, I think, you know, your kind of realize what happened.  And I think that made me feel like a major fool.  You feel silly, but you know, as time moves on, you kind of get some perspective and you just kind of move forward.

Would you ever do the show again if they asked you to star on The Bachelor?  Is the third time a charm?

Nick Viall:  As far as The Bachelor, I spent the past three months really just focusing on moving forward.  It took a lot out of me.  And, you know, all my energy's been focused on that.  But, you know, I haven't been asked recently after last night.


I think anyone would feel real lucky to be considered.  I mean, it's obviously an incredible opportunity.  You know, but it's one of those things where it's not easy.  I think we've all seen it, you know, with some of the previous leads, that it's a difficult process. 

And it doesn't always work out, but then again, you have some amazing love stories like with [Sean Lowe] and [Catherine Giudici] and [Desiree Hartsock] and [Chris Siegfried] and people like that. So you know, it's one of those things, obviously, I'd have to spend a lot of time with my family and friends and talk about it. 

But I can't say that I wouldn't, but it's certainly something, you know, that I would have to take into serious consideration, because I want to take it seriously in all those things.  And I really want to do it only if I felt like it could really work for me, so.

So I know you spoke about if they asked you to come on The Bachelor, but would you ever consider Bachelor in Paradise?  And also, are you dating anyone right now?

Nick Viall:  I'm currently not dating anyone.  And I just don't think Bachelor in Paradise is for me.  And, yeah, I don't think I would ever do Bachelor in Paradise.


You came into this season with everyone judging you from what happened on Andi Dorfman's season.  And now that the show is over, do you think you're still viewed as the villain, or do you think that you were able to show everyone you're a good guy?

Nick Viall:  You know, I don't know.  I really tried to not spend a lot of time reading my press clippings and worrying about public perception.  You know, I really did come back only because I had this pre-existing relationship with Kaitlyn.  And I knew, you know, I was going to be in the show.  And I know people would have their opinions.

And I certainly hope, right?  You know, no one's perfect.  Obviously, I make mistakes.  I've made my mistakes.  And I'm sure there's things that people like about me and things people don't like about me.  And, you know, I'm okay with all of that.  Right, I just hope that when I was on either season, I was myself. 

I was genuine.  I meant what I said and the things that I did.  And I was, you know, true to myself.  And so, I hope that for the people who maybe weren't [fans of me] last time, I hope maybe they got to see a different side of me. 

And I hope maybe they, if nothing else, believe that my intentions for coming back were very genuine and sincere and that I really was just there for Kaitlyn.  And, you know, I like being liked.  Who doesn't?  But at the same time, I am more focused on being myself, being true to myself.






About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski