Forget the rose ceremonies, this was the most shocking Bachelor reveal ever.
After weeks of speculation, the next Bachelor was finally announced on After Paradise on Tuesday night, and in a twist no one saw coming, Bachelor in Paradise star (and two-time Bachelorette contestant) Nick Viall was named ABC's new leading man.
Say whaaaa?! But wasn't it supposed to be one of JoJo Fletcher's contestants from this season of The Bachelorette, Luke Pell or Chase McNary, with Luke being the frontrunner, you might be asking. And it's a valid question, as the change was a last-minute one that stunned Bachelor Nation.
"In just the last few days, it totally switched," a source exclusively tells E! News. "Nick's closest friends and Bachelor in Paradise co-stars didn't even know until moments before it was announced on After Paradise."
Another source close to Nick confirmed the timing. "It was completely a last minute decision that only came together in the past few days. A very small handful of people knew. Nothing has been shot yet. There's a lot that still needs to be figured out," a source tells us.
And it was Nick's turn on this season of BIP that helped secure him the new gig after being the runner-up in Andi Dorfman AND Kaitlyn Bristowe's seasons of The Bachelorette.
"Nick is a low-key and chill to work with," the source explains. "He also had a great edit this season on BIP."
Another insider adds, "As Paradise started airing, he became a massive fan favorite. He's the villain who became a hero. It became a comeback story that was irresistible."
The Bachelor host Chris Harrison said Nick was the most deserving choice, and another source tells us it will be a different season than past years. "They liked what Nick brings to the table. He's a little older, more mature. It will be a very different season than, say, [Ben Higgins']," our source says. "He's comfortable being himself around women. He's not afraid to have real conversations."
But Luke, a 32-year-old war veteran, also has a great edit on his season of The Bachelorette, breaking viewers hearts with his stunned reaction when JoJo eliminated him after the hometown visits after acting like the hero of a Nicholas Sparks novel all season.
Our source suspects Luke may have gotten a big head once it was reported he was the frontrunner to be the next Bach. He took to Instagram after Nick was announced and posted the above photo with this caption:"Thanks for all the love and support over the past few months, sometimes in life we are faced with unexpected changes. I'm happy to be back home in Nashville and so excited about what the future holds."
As for Chase, a medical sales rep from Denver who was JoJo's second runner-up, he posted a message on Instagram about not landing the job. "Unfortunately, I don't get to be the Bachelor...but my arms and heart are wide open, and I trust the right woman will come into my life at just the right time."
"Nick's very excited," one source tells us.