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'Bachelor' recap: Backstreet Boys and Olympians

Sarah Hauer
Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Nick Viall Will Look for Love When ABC‘s ‘The Bachelor’ Returns in January 2017 for Its 21st Season.

Editor's note: Waukesha native Nick Viall is searching for love during his fourth appearance on a "Bachelor"-franchise show. Will he find it? Our reporters will keep you in the loop with weekly updates. 

What happened: ABC promised tears when the rest of the women in "The Bachelor" mansion found out that Nick had previously met and slept with Liz, a contestant whom he sent home. Those teasers were — shockingly — misleading.

Nick came clean with the women at the beginning of the cocktail party, but it was Corinne's behavior that dominated conversation. Corinne, who wore a trench coat and seemingly nothing else, got upset when Nick slowed down their physical relationship. Having won the group date rose, she slept through the rose ceremony instead. Nick sent Hailey, Elizabeth and Lacey home.

Unlike other claims, Chris Harrison was honest when he said, "we've outdone ourselves" about this week's dates.

In a teenage dream realized, the Backstreet Boys visited the mansion and serenaded the women. Danielle L., Christen, Kristina, Whitney, Taylor, Jasmine and Corinne left with them to learn some choreography before dancing with the band at a concert.

Corinne was not happy as the date exposed her weakness: “planned dancing.” The Backstreet Boys picked Danielle L., a 27-year-old from Los Angeles, for a special serenade (read: awkward high school dance) with Nick to “I Want it That Way.” She took the group date rose as well.

The prized one-on-one date went to Vanessa, a 29-year-old special education teacher from Montreal. The duo enjoyed a lack of gravity in a space simulator, making out mid-flight before Vanessa got nauseous and threw up. Then threw up again. She was in awe of Nick's willingness to sit with her, although his in-flight escape routes were nonexistent. At dinner, Nick teared up while discussing his feelings for Vanessa and giving her a rose. Front-runner? I think yes.

The last group date of the week played on Nick’s track and field experience. Rachel, Alexis, Astrid, Jaimi, Sarah, Brittany and Dominique were coached by Olympians Allyson Felix, Carl Lewis and Michelle Carter in "Bachelor"-themed events like the limo long jump. The competition ended with a race to an oversize engagement ring and a sprint to Nick waiting in a hot tub. While Rachel passed the finish line first, she couldn’t grasp the ring and instead stepped on it. Astrid picked up a remaining chunk and hopped into a hot tub with Nick.

After a day of fretting that Nick just isn’t that into her, Dominique confronted Nick about their relationship. Nick said he doesn’t see a future and sends her home. Rachel continued to impress Nick and she earned the group date rose.

Nick opted for a pool party with the women instead of a cocktail party where Corinne continued to dominate the storyline, and her childlike yet sexually aggressive behavior angered the rest of the women.

Vanessa, coming off her one-on-one date, confronted Nick.

“I’m not judging Corinne, I’m judging your actions,” she said. “It was enough for me to question, like, are you looking for a wife? Or are you looking for someone to (expletive) around with?"

We'll find out his response next week.

Number of mentions of Wisconsin: 0

What we learned about Nick: The ladies learned the "Bachelor" ran in high school (Waukesha North) and college (University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee). It’s new to viewers but not to us.

Viall won state in the 800-meter run at the 1999 WIAA Track and Field Championship. At the University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, he was on a 3,200-meter relay team that set a school record.

Best quote of the night:

This rose goes to the conversation between Corinne and Jasmine.

Jasmine: Nanny? You have a nanny? Do you have kids?
Corinne: No.
Jasmine: Why do you have a nanny?
Corinne: I’m the kid.

We learned Raquel makes Corinne’s bed and her cheese pasta, and it is her greatest joy in life.

Women remaining: 17

Coming up next: Next week's episode once again kicks off with rose ceremony. Numerous women confront Nick about Corinne, asking if he wants a "woman or a girl." Drama between Corinne and Taylor, a 23-year-old mental health counselor, emerges. We’ll give Corinne another one to two weeks left on this show.