Nick Viall has publicly shared his reaction to ABC choosing Rachel Lindsay as The Bachelorette's upcoming Season 13 star.
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Lindsay, a 31-year-old attorney from Dallas, TX, is still in the running for Viall's heart on Season 21 of The Bachelor with hometown dates coming up next week; however, ABC decided to announce the next Bachelorette prematurely on Monday night's broadcast of Jimmy Kimmel Live!.
ABC has never cast a black lead in all 21 seasons of The Bachelor and 12 seasons of The Bachelorette, so Lindsay will be making history as far as the show is concerned and hopefully solving the franchise's longtime diversity issue.
"Bachelor Nation doesn't know how it all goes down yet, but as you'll surely see saying goodbye to Rachel was one of the most heartbreaking moments of my life," Viall captioned a photo of the couple on Instagram.
"I have met very few people who possess as much beauty, grace, and charisma as Rachel and after hearing that she'll be the next Bachelorette I couldn't be more excited."
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Lindsay received Viall's First Impression Rose and developed an easy and fun relationship with Viall from that point forward. She comes across confident, strong and intelligent on The Bachelor.
"Bachelor Nation is so lucky to have her but not as lucky as the group of men who will have a chance at winning her heart," Viall continued in his Instagram post.
"No one is better prepared to show Bachelor Nation, and the world, the beauty of embracing diversity. Good luck Rachel, not that you'll be needing it. I'm so proud and happy for you, I'm honored to be able to call you a friend. I can't wait to watch your journey!! #thebachelor #thebachelorette."
Viall reiterated some of those sweet comments on Twitter Monday night as well.
"My heart is full of joy for you Rachel. Congrats!! You will be one hell of a Bachelorette!! Beauty & class.. you have it all!! TheBachelor," Viall tweeted. "No one better to show Bachelor Nation, & the world, the beauty of embracing diversity! So excited for you Rachel! #thebachelor #diversity."
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Lindsay has received overwhelming support since last night's revelation, so it appears America is really embracing ABC's decision.
"We're a couple weeks out from filming. We're ready to get this started. I'm ready to find love, find my husband," Lindsay said on Jimmy Kimmel Live! last night, adding that she didn't even believe producers wanted her to be the Bachelorette when she was first approached about the opportunity.
"I honestly thought they were doing it just to make me feel better from my heartbreak. And then when it kept going, I realized, 'Okay they're actually serious about this thing.'"
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski