'The Bachelor' season 21 release date, news: fans can expect 'man tears' during Nick Viall's quest for love

A promotional image for "The Bachelor" Facebook/TheBachelor

Nick Viall's journey to find the love of his life will begin early next year, as ABC announced the premiere date of "The Bachelor" season 21 on Jan. 2.

This will be the fourth time for the 36-year-old software sales executive from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to attempt to find true love on national TV. He had two very public heartbreaks during the 10th and 11th seasons of "The Bachelorette," where both Andi Dorfman and Kaitlyn Bristowe chose other men over him during their respective final rose ceremonies.

Nick also tried his luck on the third season of "Bachelor in Paradise." But his stint was unsuccessful after he opted not to propose to Jennifer Saviano.

Fans of the long-running dating reality show were skeptical when the network chose Nick over the fan-favorite men who were part of the series in the previous seasons. But series host Chris Harrison assured the viewers that Nick is the best option for the show.

"I know people were a little reluctant, and they're giving him a hard time," Harrison told Us Weekly. "I hope those people will just trust that we know what we've been doing over 15 years. He's a good man — he's a really good guy. And he's doing a good job," he went on to say.

Harrison also claimed that Nick went through a very emotional moment while filming one of the episodes of "The Bachelor" season 21. The host even compared him to season 13 bachelor Jason Mesnick due to the tears that he cried in the show. "There will be man tears on this season for sure," Harrison stated.

The upcoming season of "The Bachelor" will also feature the very first black woman to join the contest when the 31-year-old lawyer Rachel Lindsay join the roster of hopefuls who will vie for Nick's attention.