JoJo Fletcher's former suitor Luke was offered the same gig and was booked to appear on 'After Paradise' for the announcement, but the producers pulled the plug at the last minute.
- Sep 2, 2016
AceShowbiz - Luke Pell was offered to star in season 21 of "The Bachelor", but Nick Viall was eventually announced as the new Bachelor. Luke, who was vying for JoJo Fletcher's heart on "The Bachelorette" season 12, reveals that he and ABC "had agreed to the contracts" and he was set to appear on Tuesday's (August 30) "After Paradise" for the live announcement, but the producers pulled the plug at the last minute.
"... everything was moving forward," Luke tells Us Weekly. "I was checked in to my flight to come to L.A. I got a call from producers Sunday night at about 10 P.M. They said ABC had decided to quote-unquote go in a different direction. I was supposed to fly out Monday morning at 9 A.M. I had my bags packed and everything. Most dramatic Monday ever!"
More than that, Luke says they "had planned for intro filming and had planned to have [his] sister come on for a date and give advice as part of the show." He continues, "I met with the wardrobe guys. Everything was moving forward. Everyone on the production level was expecting it to be me, as well."
Still, the war veteran has no hard feelings, saying, "I've come to accept the decision. From all my years in the military, I've learned that some things are out of my control. I put it in the past, and I'm moving forward. It was a huge surprise, but the element of surprise and unexpected decisions is what the show thrives off of."
Of his new plan, Luke shares, "I'm recalculating what I'm going to be doing. I'm just happy to get back to my life in Nashville as an entrepreneur and a songwriter. Those are two passions of mine. I put them on hold for the TV show, and now I can return to that."
Luke, however, has no intention to accept another offer to appear on "The Bachelor" should the chance comes in the future. "I probably wouldn't do it," he says. "I don't want to wait in the wings for what decisions they can make for my life. I want to head back into taking control of my own destiny."
But fans are not giving up yet. Patricia Ambern has launched a petition on change.org, asking ABC to have two Bachelors this season with Luke joining Nick V.. "Let Luke Pell and Nick Viall both be the new Bachelor and let the 25 women choose who they want. Like Britt [Nilsson] and Kaitlyn [Bristowe] did," reads the petition.
"There are A LOT of fans from Bachelor Nation who love Luke Pell as well," it also says. "Please consider this request. Thank you from a Luke Pell fan!!" 193 people have signed the petition.
Meanwhile, "Bachelor" host Chris Harrison has explained the decision to choose Nick over Luke or Chase McNary as the leading man for the next season. "He has just become that perennial, second place guy who wants to find love and is as sincere, if not more sincere, than anybody about finding it," he tells PEOPLE. "It's about giving him his chance to find love. Who deserves it more than him?"
