Nick’s Engaged … but in Love With Another Woman
Panic sets in for Bachelor Nick Viall after he hands out the final rose to the wrong person
Nick Viall couldn’t hold it together. During the final days of filming in November, the season 21 Bachelor “told producers that he felt like he was in hell,” says a source, adding that Nick was so torn over who to pick — Raven Gates, 25, or Vanessa Grimaldi, 29 — that he resorted to writing a list of pros and cons about each woman and even asked to take a break from filming three times to confer with host Chris Harrison and producers about his choice. “He was having a total breakdown and didn’t want to go through with making the final decision.” But he had no choice. On the Bachelor’s March 13 finale, adds the source, “Nick gets down on one knee and asks one woman to marry him.”
Now he’s regretting it. Nick, 36, “has been having second thoughts about his decision,” the source tells In Touch, adding that the former software salesman’s feelings for the runner-up are just as strong now as they were four months ago. “Nick knows he made a huge mistake proposing to the winner and is panicking. The runner-up is the woman he truly loves.”
He’s thought about contacting her. “Nick really wants to reach out to the runner-up, but he’s playing by The Bachelor rules for now,” says the source, explaining that Nick isn’t allowed to have contact with her until the show’s final episode airs. “The runner-up would probably take him back in a heartbeat. She fell hard for Nick and is still heartbroken by the situation. She had a strong connection with Nick and can’t seem to shake it.”
Nick should have followed his gut. “He chose the winner because she was the safe choice. She’s a sweetheart with a lot more class than the runnerup,” says the source, adding that famehungry Nick knew she would be a fan favorite. “But the runner-up is a sassy girl who really captured Nick’s attention. She kept him on his toes all season long, and that is something he’s lacking with the winner.”
The winner is starting to catch on. “During filming, she had no idea how strong Nick’s feelings were for the runner-up. Watching him fall in love with her rival on the show has been terrifying,” says the source, adding that it’s led to many fights. Instead of working on their problems, Nick’s decided to join Dancing With the Stars (see sidebar), which has sparked a whole new set of issues. “It’s gotten so bad that the winner is refusing to move to LA to be with Nick during his stint on the show,” adds a second source. “Their relationship is falling apart. There’s no way they’re going to last.” ◼