Nick Viall admits his relationship with The Bachelor fiancee Vanessa Grimaldi still isn't perfect despite appearances.
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While Nick has been competing on Dancing with the Stars' 24th season with pro partner Peta Murgatroyd, Vanessa has seemingly been his biggest cheerleader, attending every live show and even stopping by his rehearsals to flash a smile or show her support.
The couple, whose engagement aired on TV in March as part of The Bachelor's Season 21 finale, also look happier than ever on social media. But according to Nick, there are still some things that need to be ironed out.
"Vanessa and I have never really pretended, even since After the Final Rose, of trying to be that perfect couple," Nick said during a recent appearance on Los Angeles' KTLA-TV newscast. "We've been pretty up front of the challenges that kind of come with meeting in Bachelor world -- it's not the ideal experience."
"We've been pretty up front about having a lot of things to work on," Nick continued, "and we're excited about doing that."
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Nick claimed the couple is not putting on a show for the public, nor would they hide their problems just to put on a united front and please their fans.
"We don't feel any pressure," Nick told KTLA when asked whether he feels pressure not to fight with Vanessa because their romance is playing out in the public eye. "We're just kind of doing our own thing."
And even though cameras still follow Nick and Vanessa around, the former The Bachelor star insisted it's "a lot better" than being forced to keep their relationship a secret. While The Bachelor was airing, Nick could only spend time with Vanessa behind closed doors.
Dancing with the Stars is approaching the halfway point of the competition, and last week, Nick and Peta earned their best scores of the season -- a 34 out of 40 from the judges for their Pinocchio-inspired jazz routine.
Nick said his nerves are "never totally going to be gone" on the show but he's becoming increasingly more confident and relaxed onstage.
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"I don't think I'll ever get totally used to it, but I feel like I'm finally able to enjoy it," Nick said of competing on Dancing with the Stars.
Nick was unfortunately the target of jokes and criticism when he played the part of Pinocchio -- with his painted red cheeks and cutesy costume -- but the 36-year-old former software salesman didn't seemed phased by it.
"I stay off the Internet, but I think it kind of worked out," Nick noted of the Disney dance with a smile. "Peta and I just decided to embrace it. Every guy gets to be some kind of Prince Charming and I get Pinocchio."
As far as his health and fitness go, Nick also revealed his diet has gotten worse during his time on Dancing with the Stars because he's always eating on the go, but at the same time, he's working out muscles he never knew existed and has a naturally fast metabolism.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski