'The Bachelor' 2017 Spoilers, Rumors & Release Date: Luke Pell, Robby Hayes Still Bitter About Nick Viall's Casting as Season 21's Leading Man?
RHOC Alum Lauri Peterson Wants Daughter to Join ABC Dating Show
Nick Viall continues to attract media attention after ABC named him as "The Bachelor" 2017 barely two weeks ago. Rumors are rife that "Bachelorette" castoffs Luke Pell and Robby Hayes are still bitter about Viall's casting as the leading man of the popular dating show's Season 21.
Pell and Hayes, along with fellow "The Bachelorette" Season 12 alum Chase McNary, were the rumored top contenders for the gig. However, ABC surprised fans after it opted to award the stint to Viall who is a perennial runner-up of two "Bachelorette" seasons.
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Hayes Jabs Viall
Hayes, who was the runner-up of the recent "Bachelorette" season of JoJo Fletcher, shared to Us Weekly that he is disappointed and shocked about Viall's casting. The 27-year-old former competitive swimmer said that he thought the producers of the show would cast someone who is younger, energetic and fresh.
Despite feeling disappointed about the casting, Hayes stressed that he hopes Viall will be successful on his fourth stint at televised love. He explained that he knows how it feels to undergo the process and he hopes Viall will find the love that he has been looking for.
Pell Thinks Viall is a Nice Guy
While Hayes is apparently bitter about ABC's decision to cast Viall as the next "Bachelor," Pell seemed to be over with it. In a recent interview with Us Weekly, Pell said that he does not know much about Viall but he thinks he is a really nice guy. The country music singer added that he hopes the best for the Season 21's leading man.
Pell was widely considered by fans as the frontrunner for the gig. He revealed last week that he was originally tapped as the "Bachelor" 2017 until the producers made some abrupt changes on Aug. 28.
Lauri Peterson's Daughter as Season 21 Contestant?
Elan Gale, "The Bachelor" producer, announced on social media that the casting for Season 21 will end soon. It appears that "Real Housewives of Orange County" alum Lauri Peterson wants her only daughter Ashley Zarlin to pursue Viall in the ABC dating show.
Peterson took to Twitter to encourage Zarlin to join as Season 21 contestant. She also tweeted the producers of the show and asked them how they can make it happen.
Zarlin, who is the creative director and owner of "Cheeky Minx," also seemed to be interested of joining the show. On Wednesday, she retweeted her mother's post about "The Bachelor" casting.
The Season 21 of "The Bachelor" will return in January on ABC. The new season will be Viall's fourth stint in the franchise after appearing in the "Bachelorette" seasons of Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe. The 35-year-old software engineer was also a part of the recently concluded "Bachelor in Paradise" Season 3.
