Television March 23, 2017
Nick Viall Speaks Out on William Shatner Feud: ‘It’s Heartbreaking'
“The Bachelor” star Nick Viall is “heartbroken” over William Shatner's campaign to get him booted off “DWTS.”
On Wednesday, “Extra's” Renee Bargh caught up with Viall and his dancing partner Peta Murgatroyd at rehearsal in Los Angeles, where he discussed the "Star Trek" icon's vendetta against him.
Earlier this week, Shatner told his Twitter followers to vote for "anyone but Nick," who "lives up to the homonym of his last name." When a fan asked why Viall shouldn't get votes, Shatner advised "watch Andi (Dorfman)'s 'Bachelorette' season where he started this Viall journey.”
Nick told Renee, “It was heartbreaking because I am his biggest fan. Who doesn't like Captain Kirk? Also a big ' T.J. Hooker' fan — that's some of his best work. It's heartbreaking, to be honest. The show must go on. We're gonna do our best, and it's up to William to come around or not.” Peta added, “I'm gonna make him love you by the end of this for sure.”
The duo said there is an open invite for Shatner to come to the show, with Nick commenting, “Maybe we will have a cup of coffee one day, we will hash out our differences.”
Nick also weighed in on #handgate, the headline-making incident from Monday's broadcast when Bonner Bolton was caught with his hand around Sharna Burgess' crotch region backstage as he was attempting to wrap his arm around her waist. "It was pretty obvious that he was watching the monitor and just kind of noticed her. It was just an unfortunate coincidence.” Peta chimed in that they were having fun with it backstage.
Nick and Peta performed the cha-cha, which earned them a score of 24, putting them in the middle of the pack on premiere night. Simone Biles and Rashad Jennings were the front-runners.
Nick shared, “I've gotten to know Rashad a little bit and he's definitely got some swag, so I wasn't shocked he has some moves. Was anyone surprised Simone can dance? I'm surprised they haven't given her the mirrorball trophy already and we're just dancing for second place — I'm more surprised about that. It's a stacked lineup.”
The duo will be dancing the Foxtrot Monday. Nick admitted, “It's so technical.”