Nick Gave A 'Bachelor' Speech Unlike Any Other

Another season of The Bachelor has rolled around, and even though Chris Harrison & co. have been doing this for more than a decade, I have a feeling this time around is going to be a little bit different. Why? Because Nick Viall is the Bachelor, a scenario I didn't see coming until it was officially announced earlier this year. He's unlike any other leading man in that he's had way more experience being on the other end of the rose ceremony, and it's already proving to have prepared him even better for the role. On Monday night's Bachelor premiere, Nick gave a speech about empowerment, and it made me love him even more.

It's hard to imagine how awkward that first night must be, with the limo arrivals and the first cocktail party that has the potential to set the tone for the rest of the season. And then, of course, there's that moment that the Bachelor has to walk into that mansion and face these dozens of strangers at once and say something... welcoming? Or inspiring? If Nick was nervous, I had no idea, because the words he shared at that moment were absolutely perfect — and spoken like someone who's been heartbroken by the show a time or two.

After thanking everyone for being there and talking about how he didn't regret his Bachelorette past, Nick left the women with a few words that make me think he might be a different kind of Bachelor. He said:

When I think about finding the one, it's someone who's kind of a strong personality and feels empowered and someone who is truly my partner. So, throughout this process — I know I'm the Bachelor and I know I'm handing out roses and that's kind of crazy — I want you to all feel as empowered as possible. Try to make this experience as normal as possible in a very abnormal world, and I think if you do that, you will certainly leave with no regrets.

It's hard to imagine feeling empowered in an environment like the one The Bachelor creates. Essentially competing with many other women for the love of one man? I don't think I could do it, but being in that position doesn't automatically mean you're not a strong person who's there to find love and choose a life partner just like Nick is. It seems intimidating, but I can see how it would be entirely possible to take control of the experience as a contestant if that's what you choose to do, and it sounds like the kind of person who is able to do that is also going to be the kind of person who Nick is attracted to most.

It's going to be interesting to see how this plays out — and if Nick continues his streak of breaking the show's rules like he's done in past seasons. Fingers crossed that he does, because it'll make it that much more exciting and empowering to watch as well.