Long before Nick Viall ran for love on Andi Dorman and Kaitlyn Bristowe’s respective seasons of ABC’s “The Bachelorette,” starred as lead in the 21st season of “The Bachelor” and waltzed before our TV screens on “Dancing with the Stars,” he was just a regular college student at UWM, like the hundreds who will gather in cliques and friend groups on Oct. 13 to watch Clare Crawley’s season of “The Bachelorette.”
“My most memorable time at UWM was 9/11,” Viall said in an interview with the Post. “It’s a time I’ll never forget and I was at the nurse’s office when 9/11 happened.”
Viall, a Waukesha native, won an 800-meter dash state title during his senior year at Waukesha North and transferred to UWM after two years at UW-Madison. As a UWM panther, he was captain of the track team and broke school track records.
“I ran track for UWM and enjoyed working at the Post,” Viall said, referring to our own student newspaper. “I enjoyed my time at UWM and hope it’s still a great school to go to.”
Despite his four appearances finding love on reality TV programs, Viall has surprising relationship advice for college students.
“Not to be a dad but you’re hopefully in college once,” Viall said. “Try to prioritize things you’re paying for – if it [a relationship] becomes too much of a challenge, then it’s nothing you should be spending too much time on.”
When he’s home in Milwaukee, Viall lays low and hangs out with friends and family. He calls Calderone Club, the popular Italian establishment in downtown Milwaukee, his local favorite.
Today, Viall is still a household name in Bachelor Nation, the infamous nickname for the ABC franchise’s millions of loyal fans. He just bought a house, turned 40, and now hosts the popular podcast “The Viall Files,” which features advice on love and relationships alongside appearances by celebrity guests and “Bachelor” alums.
Fans have long wondered if “The Viall Files” will become a television show, due to its popularity among Bachelor Nation fans and Nick Viall’s lasting popularity with the franchise’s fan base, which ranges.
“Anything’s possible on Viall Files,” Viall said. “I could see it in the right format and we always look at different ways to expand our audience.”
The Dancing with the Stars alum, who was partnered with pro dancer Peta Murgatroyd keeps up with fellow cast members, including Murgatroyd.
“I was just talking with her today,” Viall said.
And Viall has opinions about Clare Crawley’s controversial upcoming season as “The Bachelor,” which allegedly leads to Crawley being replaced by Tayshia Adams from Colton Underwood’s season of “The Bachelor.”
“Clare is compelling TV,” Viall said. “She’s good at being herself, regardless of being on or off TV.”
It sounds like Nick Viall, track athlete and reality TV star, still isn’t stopping.
“The Viall Files” podcast airs Mondays and Wednesdays. The sixteenth season of “The Bachelorette” starring Clare Crawley premieres Tuesday, October 13 at 8/7 central.