BWW Interviews: Broadway's Patti Murin Talks to THE BACHELORETTE Runner-Up Nick Viall

By: Aug. 06, 2014
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When we asked Broadway's favorite cheerleader Patti Murin, to recap "The Bachelorette" Season Finale for BWW TV, we knew that she was going to be full of (really funny) opinions. But, man did she have some strong thoughts about sore-loser runner-up Nick Viall. To read all of Patti's thoughts on Nick, and Andi and Josh, check out her recap.

So, when we asked Patti to represent BroadwayWorld on a conference call with Nick the day after the finale aired, we weren't sure what we would get. Even though Patti was extremely professional, we think there might have been a bit of passive-aggressive insinuation in her question. What do you think? Also, Nick sounds like he is pretty nervous during this call. Do you think it might have something to do with completely breaking The Fantasy Suite's strict "What Happens Here, Stays Here" policy on national TV?

Last night, I spoke to Patti about her up-coming cabaret solo-show debut "Literally Patti Murin," coming up on August 11th at 7:00pm at 54 Below, and it is going to be fun! You aren't going to want to miss this concert folks, so get your tickets here, and check back with BroadwayWorld on Friday to find out all about the show and her favorite flavor of Lay's potato chip


We saw you try to go on "Men Tell All," and I was just wondering, was that planned by you, or is that something that ABC asked you to do?

Nick: I reached out to (Harrison) through my contacts. I mean, I don't have his mobile number, but I just wanted to talk to him, and I knew the rules, and I wanted to respect the process, and I didn't make any attempt to reach out to her directly.

What I did, as I mentioned last night, was really hoping to have an opportunity to speak with her directly, and not have to wait 10 weeks, because I had, you know, these real emotions and feelings about the situation, and I wanted the opportunity to express them to her.

Are there any regrets about going there?

Nick: No, no, I mean, I really appreciated (Harrison) being willing to give her that letter, you know. It's certainly important to me, and I wanted, just again, to express to her how she made me feel, you know, how important it was to me, and that I wasn't upset, or that I wished her well.

But at the same time, like, it was a very special relationship to me, and so I wanted an opportunity to express that to her.

Were you shocked to learn that Andi never loved you at all as she said? And do you think she was just saying that as to not hurt Josh's feelings, because obviously you made it clear that she made you feel extremely confident in the idea she loved you in return?

Nick: I was - I don't know if I was surprised by her answer. I guess what I was most surprised about... I was more taken aback by how cold she seemed even from when she first came out.

I mean, she certainly made me feel that way and I think - one thing I said to her was there was that moment when I told her I loved her in the ocean and her initial response was to throw her head back in frustration and say, I wish I could say things back.

And I mentioned that to her and she nodded her head yes, like she remembered that moment and we're just like, I know you're not supposed to assume but - so that was very surprising.

She certainly made me feel very much when it was all happening that she did feel that way about me.

So, it wasn't necessarily her answer, because again, she's in a very serious relationship with Josh, and I want to respect that, but I was surprised just how cold it came across.

OK. And you know, there's been a lot of backlash out there on social media of people saying you just wanted to humiliate Andi by revealing that you two had sex and that it was an ungentlemanly move. How do you respond to that, and do you regret disclosing that info now, or do you think, well that's a little bit her fault, because she had the chance to meet with me before the live show and she never gave me that opportunity?

Nick: Yeah. You know, I definitely wish I would have had that opportunity in private to have that conversation. And I did not go into last night anyway expecting that to come up, or ask her.

And again, I think I was just so caught off guard by her demeanor and that answer and again, again, to me it wasn't necessarily about the sex, but just the level of intimacy about that night and given the situation at the time, where we both knew, for example, that she couldn't say things back, and I made it very clear to her where I was, and my feelings for her, and what something like that meant to me.

And as I said last night, I have no expectations about that night and again, I was just more surprised by what seemed to be very cavalier about that. And I think I was so off-guard that it just kind of came out.

And I certainly - the only thing - if I had was I didn't want it anyway to humiliate her, or make her feel that way. And I feel very sorry if she did feel that way, and that makes me sad.

But it is the conversation that was - I wanted to have and it's a question, I think you know as a couple, when people break up, it seems that's all the questions that people want to know, when a certain level of intimacy is shared and it seems (very meaningful) and then it's almost treated as if it isn't by the other person, that's something I think two people would discuss.

And unfortunately that was my only opportunity to do that, but certainly nothing that I would, in a million years, have planned to talk about that. But I think I was just so caught off-guard.

Would you want to be the Bachelor?

Nick: You know, right now, that's not something I even think about. I think anyone would be incredibly lucky to be asked, but right now, you know, I think I am working through this.

And I have accepted (Andi's) decision... and I am moving on, and, you know, I surely brought back in that moment. And I think a lot of motions kind of get stirred up, but, I think, right now I'm just trying to, you know, move on with my life and I'm looking forward to finding that person.

And I haven't given too much thought but it; would certainly be -- I think anyone would be incredibly flattered to be considered.

So I just want to ask, did you want ABC to show the letter that you have written?

Nick: We didn't talk about it too much. I'll say this, I was in no way ashamed of what was in the letter. And I knew by giving it to her that was a possibility, and I accepted that.

And now that everything is kind of said and done, down the road, do you think you'll be able to friends with Josh and Andi?

Nick: I'm sure. I hope so. I mean again, you know last night it was a little bit of unexpected. I (simply) wish him all the happiness in the world. Josh, for much of the time before things got a little awkward, he was a very close friend of mine.

And I think the world of him, and I think the world of her, you know. It's a difficult situation for all of us, and I don't have any resentment or anger towards them, and it was a difficult situation.

And you know it still makes me sad, and I still hurt, and heart breaking about it, but, you know, that doesn't mean I don't wish them all the best. And it would be, you know, I do in a lot of ways miss that friendship I had with Josh, and I don't know if it will ever be the same, but it would be cool if we could all get to that point where it was possible.

Are you sad that you didn't get a chance to say goodbye to her on a happier note?

Nick: Yes. Not truly disappointing. I was really hoping, you know going into that, it was important to me to express to her how she made me feel. I wasn't sure if she read the letter, and if she did, I was hoping to show appreciation for her reading it, and I did want to, you know, I didn't really know... I didn't really have a lot of questions at that point, because I didn't think anything -- any answers.

You know it's more like -- it wasn't about meeting her to answer questions, it was about meeting her to express how I felt, and that's with the letter ended up being, so YES it's really unfortunate.

It does make me sad that I couldn't to say, "Hey, listen, you know I wish you all the best and you have a great guy, and Josh, "I'm sorry if it didn't work out, but I am not angry or anything."

And you know I was at the time it happened a little disappointed with how things played out, and some of the things that she said, and honestly the things that we did, are still hard to live with.

But, you know I also know that it was a difficult situation for her, but that's why I wish I had that opportunity to talk to her.

And maybe a more private setting, because, I was upset. It's just, I wanted to talk through with her and I wanted to express to her how I felt. You know, like, I think any couple or any former couple would do in a serious relationship.

It sounds like you're still feeling some heartache over this, are you still in love with Andi now?

Nick: You know, I think last night was, you know a lot of closure for me. Again seeing her demeanor with me, I don't know, you know, kind of where that came from, I mean before I ask the question.

I think for me it was a lot of closure. It doesn't necessarily, you know like limit any -- heartbreak that I have, but I think it was really, you know, in that way, sounds good for me. So yes, I would say I accepted her decision and I'm looking to move forward.

You know, like I said, I think she'll always have a place in my heart, and she's a special person, and what I have with her at least it was special to me. And -- but I'm more excited about, you know things become and about --

I can tell from your voice that it was really hard; it seems like you didn't care about your relationship with the guys, because you felt confident you had Andi, and now that that's over, do you have regrets about how everything worked out with the guys?

Nick: No. I really don't, you know I think one thing that is kind of disappointing is that, you know a lot of people didn't -- to see some of the friendships in the house.

I probably didn't think I was going to fall in love and assume I'll probably meet some pretty cool guys, and if nothing else, form some friendships, but surprisingly enough, you know, I do have a lot of friends in the house.

I mean (Mark) and Jay-Jay probably will be two guys that I will no doubt keep in touch with the rest of my life. They're incredible people and I'm still very blessed to form the friendship I have.

I don't regret in that moment following my heart and being very focused on a person of falling in love with and not as focused on trying to build relationships with the guys in the house for, you know being at the same time.

And I thought if there's any friendships that were going to evolve into some real genuine friendships it would happen, you know outside of that. And thankfully it have, you know there were no regrets about that.

Oh, that's great. I mean I know there's a lot we don't see. And what was in the letter like it seems kind of long, could you reveal some of that -- yes.

Nick: I heard they released it on Facebook maybe see so I mean you can read it if you want.

OK. You don't want to talk about it?

Nick: I mean -- sure I'm -- it really just I mean to sum it up it was just letting her know how she made me feel and I think to talk about, you know when things (ended) and some of the things she said to me and I guess in a way I kind of challenged that supposed.

But I just really want to make it about relate her in my relationship and certainly have nothing to do with her Josh as relationship and I just want to let her know just how much it meant to me the relationship.

And how much she meant to me and that I didn't have any expectation that would change her mind but that I thought had she gone in different direction that we had a chance at least and no guarantee but had a chance that something it was unique and special.

You know to me like I didn't (felt to extent) I think the reason I felt before the way I did because you know when we talk so much and she talks so much, you know watching her back, you know kind of how we connected in every level physically, emotionally and mentally.

To me it's like you know intensity and the passion and things like that. To me that's the foundation on the relationship that I've always wanted and I think that's I want to express that to her.

So is that to say well obviously you're not completely over Andi, right? You're very still upset about it or --

Nick: I'm so not upset, no. Again last night I think it was a big step for me turn the closure. I didn't really know if I had done any -- I didn't know I mean how you know what to expect going in life (permission) and facing an (acts) to the first time and (turn we expect).

I think last night it was really helpful and I guess waking up this morning and thinking about it. Again I was very surprised about (turn her) demeanor even when she walked out, I wasn't really expecting that. It was definitely caught off guard but --

But you are over her or you're not?

Nick: I'm getting there yes. YES I think I'm on my way.

You are -- you want to move forward, absolutely.

Nick: Yes. Yes.

OK. And so have -- do you have a dating life right now? Have you been interested in any other girls I know been a couple of months, right since you guys --

Nick: No. I don't have an (acts) of getting life, you know. I haven't been on any like actual date state you know. I certainly met people out and I met from great people and but nothing really of no or serious but, you know, I'm excited that this isn't over.

And you know from a private stand point I'm a little bit more freedom I suppose but I didn't have like I kind of have to keep things more under (lapse) but I'm excited to get out there and, you know, date.

Patti Murin: Hey, Nick. You said that you did watch the whole season, so I was curious how you felt ABC portrayed you. Did you think it was in an appropriate way? Do you think what we saw was really you, or did you have any objections to anything? Obviously it's edited for maximum of drama.

Nick: You know I think as you guys know they film so much, you know given time (between) they're only able to air such a little bit about it. And like I said before, you know if there's one thing I wish they could've shown more of, is some of the friendships from the guys.

You know, I was very confident, she made me feel very confident. I had a lot of insecurities too that, you know, they may not have an opportunity to show, you know, what are the reasons why.

But, and, you know, I said it wasn't like that I was trying to make -- I was hopeful to make friends, but once I thought having incredibly real feelings for Andi that was, you know, I didn't want to, you know -- at that point, you know, when she asked me something like the initiative and trust to put myself out there and I very much listened to her.

And there's a reason why I repeated over and over like I felt like she knows me, because I, you know, I tried to listen to her, you know. I tried to understand her and that was my focus and I don't take any of that personally.

You know how people interpreted it, but did that kind of answer your question? I don't know.

Patti Murin: Yes. Absolutely. Are you excited to be back to your own life, past all of the contractual obligations?

Nick: Yes. I'm really excited about it. I feel incredibly lucky to have the life that I have, the family and friends and the career. And I mean I was -- when I was (cast) I've decided last minute to do this.

I was very lucky to do it. That's only because of the support of my friends and family and, you know, my employer that they were so supportive that it was almost encouraging me to try something so extraordinary.

But, I was very lucky to do it, but you know I'm 33 years old. I felt like I've really had everything you know except that person, and I wasn't sure if I was really, you know the right fit for something if it's extraordinary.

But, I'm excited looking forward to you know getting back to my life especially now, you know I didn't back my life for 2-1/2 months but you know watching it back every week, you know it's just, you know getting where I went through.

It was not easy and at the same time I didn't want to ignore it and I didn't want to be afraid of watching it and I thought it would be in the long run hopeful for me to doing that. So I'm looking forward in a long way -- it's a long like I usually do.

Patti Murin: OK. Great.

I know you said you had gone into the final rose expecting to reveal that you and Andi had flipped together. And last night Nikki Ferrell who won Season One accused producers of putting you up to that on Twitter.

I just want to give you a chance to respond directly to her accusation against the producers there.

Nick: Yes. That's 100 percent false. They have nothing to do with it. They were I guess surprised as anyone out as much as I was surprised so no I mean that's try to protect (inaudible) anything like that.

I take full responsibility for what I said whether it was a good idea or not and some way that was, you know it's a tough position right because I tried never -- would've got an opportunity to answer a question that was laying on me so heavily.

You know I didn't expect it I think that's why I just came out because I was so -- Yes I think had she -- may be seen probably more empathetic and compassionate that I think that's maybe would've been what I needed and maybe a sign that she -- about all of it was compassionate and understood how I felt.

And I think that's why I was so taken back by how cold she's seem and how that there was no empathy that it was just so like shock about thinking you know and when she mean that comment about not ever loving me or it sound as she's getting close it was just like, whoa and I think it's just kind of pour out, you know.


Remember to come back for my conversation with Patti on Friday. Also, if you enjoy laughing you must follow her @PattiMurin. You also need to go out and buy lots and lots and lots of tickets to "Literally Patti Murin" on August 11th at 7:00pm. No seriously, do it now. You can buy tickets here.

Also don't forget to follow me (@BWWMatt) and BWW TV (@BWWTVWorld) on Twitter for some really exciting announcements as the Fall TV Season approaches.



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