"Bachelor" Nation reeled in shock Tuesday night when ABC announced "The Bachelorette." Turns out he assumed it, too, because he was all set to fly to Los Angeles for the announcement.



"We were all satisfied, had agreed to the contracts and everything was moving forward," Pell told 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!"



Instead, Pell was cast aside in favor of Viall, who finished second in both Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe's "Bachelorette" seasons. He also appeared in this summer's "Bachelor in Paradise."



Pell, an aspiring country singer and former military soldier, said he's "come to accept the decision." Now, it's just a matter of moving on with his life.



"I was emotionally and mentally all prepared. My family was happy about it. So 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."





Want more stuff like this? Like us on Facebook.