Original network ABC Winner Vanessa Grimaldi | Country of origin United States of America | |
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Original release January 2 (2017-01-02) – March 13, 2017 (2017-03-13) | ||
The 21st season of The Bachelor premiered on January 2, 2017. This season features 36-year-old Nick Viall, a software sales executive from Milwaukee, Wisconsin, who currently resides in Chicago, Illinois.
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Viall attended the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in business administration. Viall was the runner-up on both the 10th season and the 11th season of The Bachelorette featuring Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe respectively. He also made it to the final episode on the 3rd season of Bachelor in Paradise along with Bachelor alumna Jennifer Saviano.
Casting and contestants
On August 30, 2016, during season 2 episode 4 of Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise and while the 3rd season of Bachelor in Paradise was still airing, Nick Viall was announced as the next Bachelor. Prior to Viall's selection in the series, fan favorites Luke Pell and Chase McNary, both from The Bachelorette season 12 were considered for the lead role on the show, according to host Chris Harrison.
Production
The season traveled to many places including Viall's home state of Wisconsin; New Orleans, Louisiana; Saint Thomas in United States Virgin Islands; Bimini, the Bahamas and Finnish Lapland. Numerous media outlets reported Backstreet Boys have performed at Honda Stage at the iHeartRadio Theater in Downtown Los Angeles on September 30, 2016 with former contestants Ashley Iaconetti and Becca Tilley. Besides Backstreet Boys, this season also had appearances include Olympians Michelle Carter, Allyson Felix and Carl Lewis, country singer Chris Lane and Lolo.
During production, the producers moved the Wisconsin date week from the original destination of Charleston, South Carolina when Hurricane Matthew hit the city. Host Chris Harrison told the trip was to be headed to Kiawah Island. The reason of the decision has not been disclosed.
Contestants
The season began with 30 contestants.
Future appearances
Rachel Lindsay was chosen for the lead role on the thirteenth season of The Bachelorette while this season of the show is still airing. Raven Gates confirmed on After the Final Rose that she will be competing on the fourth season of Bachelor in Paradise.
Outside of Bachelor Nation franchise, Viall will participate to compete for the twenty-fourth season of Dancing with the Stars partnering with Peta Murgatroyd.