Nick Viall Speaks Out About Problems With ‘The Bachelorette’ Vetting Process

Nick Viall recently spoke out against controversial Bachelorette contestants Lincoln Adim and Garrett Yrigoyen (both have yet to be eliminated on the current season), and the vetting process that allowed the two on the ABC dating show.

While chatting on People’s show "Chatter", Nick called out the franchise that made him famous for their questionable background checks of prospective cast members. 

“It is clearly an issue,” Nick said. “The Garrett thing, obviously it’s inappropriate, but I think it’s harder. I don’t know how that process works.”

Garrett came under fire after the Bachelorette premiere for allegedly liking offensive social media posts that mocked immigrants, feminists, the trans community, and even a Parkland high school shooting survivor. Nick also commented on Lincoln’s casting. The season 14 Bachelorette contestant was allowed on the show despite being accused of groping and assaulting a woman.

“The Lincoln thing, unfortunately, it’s a big mistake, and I think something that they need to really look in to,” Nick said.

Last week, RadarOnline.com revealed that Lincoln was found guilty of indecent assault and battery for groping and assaulting a woman back in May 2016. He was sentenced to one year in a house of correction, with that term suspended for a two-year probationary period.

“You can’t have people convicted of sexual assault on the show, or really just anywhere,” Nick added. “Obviously they need to look at their vetting process. It’s a very unfortunate situation.”

Following news of Lincoln's criminal past, Warner Bros. denied having any knowledge of his indiscretions. In a statement, the studio claimed Lincoln’s past charges did not come up when they ran a routine background check on the Becca Kufrin suitor.

“No one on The Bachelorette production had any knowledge about the incident or charges when Lincoln Adim was cast, and he himself denied ever having engaged in or having been charged with any sexual misconduct,” Warner Bros. said in a statement to Page Six.