The Bachelor's Nick Viall would have picked another guy to star on Season 23 had the decision been up to him.
ADVERTISEMENT
Nick, who starred on The Bachelor's 21st season in 2017, isn't displeased ABC has selected former professional football player, Colton Underwood, as the next leading man.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)
"Listen, I think he's a great guy," Nick admitted during an appearance on The Michelle Collins Show.
However, Nick would prefer to see Becca Kufrin's runner-up from The Bachelorette's fourteenth season, Blake Horstmann, star on the next season of The Bachelor.
ADVERTISEMENT
"The criticism is fair that -- I mean, I was surprised they cast [Colton]. I haven't met Blake or Jason. I have met Colton, and I think Colton is a great guy," Nick admitted.
"But if I were a producer -- and there's a reason why I'm not -- but if I were, I would have cast Blake."
Blake fell hard for Becca on The Bachelorette earlier this year and constantly expressed his love to her. Blake felt his future with Becca was all set and aligned in the stars, but then she dumped him at the Final Rose Ceremony in favor of her winner and now-fiance, Garrett Yrigoyen.
"Blake, for me, when you're watching it, you're rooting for him," Nick told Michelle Collins on her SiriusXM broadcast.
But Nick apparently feels Jason Tartick, Becca's third-place finisher, would also make a good Bachelor.
ADVERTISEMENT
"I think they had three great options this season," Nick said.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
Nick left out the fact former The Bachelor star Ben Higgins was allegedly being considered for the role. However, he suggested there's a story to tell on why Rachel Lindsay's The Bachelorette runner-up, Peter Kraus, wasn't picked for the position.
"I think there's a reason why Peter wasn't the Bachelor," Nick hinted of the personal trainer, who became a fan-favorite although he wasn't ready to propose to Rachel at the end of her season in 2017.
"I mean, I don't know the specifics, but there's a reason. I think it was just a lot of, you know, he probably made some poor choices and maybe he's not that easy to work with. I just think there's a reason why. I'm not saying he's not nice."
ADVERTISEMENT
Colton was announced as The Bachelor star on September 4. His season is expected to premiere in January 2019.
Nick's The Bachelor season ended with him getting engaged to Vanessa Grimaldi, who had received his final rose, but the couple announced their split less than six months after the finale aired on ABC.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP WITH? (PHOTOS)
Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group!
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski