Bachelor Nation, get excited — we’ve got a new Bachelor!

On tonight’s episode of “The Bachelorette,” it was announced that Zach Shallcross is the next Bachelor.

Fans saw him vie for Rachel Recchia’s final rose on this season, but he left brokenhearted after their Fantasy Suite date.

He came out of his time on The Bachelorette with an appreciation for what he had with Rachel and the exhilarating realization that he was capable of loving someone so deeply. Now, Zach is more ready than he’s ever been to find a wife. He found love here once and he knows he can find it again.

Now, Zach joins us exclusively here at BachelorNation.com for a conversation about his role as the Bachelor.

Check out his full interview below.

Bachelor Nation: We’re so excited about this next chapter of your love story! What are you most excited about as you start your journey as the Bachelor?

Zach Shallcross: Thank you! I’m really looking forward to it. I’m most excited about really getting that chance to find my person and have the ability to be on the other end of things. I am looking forward to not necessarily being at the whims of what another person is feeling but being able to figure it out for myself. I now have the platform and I can hopefully leave engaged at the end of this.

BN: Absolutely; we hope that for you too! Is there anything you’re nervous about?

ZS: I’m most nervous about the fact that there could be people that are on this journey and a part of this experience that don’t take it seriously and don’t want to actually find love. I want to find someone who truly wants a future with me, so that’s what scares me the most.

BN: That makes sense. What are you looking for in a partner?

ZS: The biggest thing for me is I want someone who’s really compassionate and kind to everyone that they’re around. I feel that’s kind of rare nowadays. I think a lot of people can be really self-involved. So how you treat people on a day-to-day basis is really important to me. I just want someone who is a really kind, compassionate person.

BN: Love that! Is there something you’ve learned from your experience on “The Bachelorette” that you’re going to take with you on your journey as the Bachelor?

ZS: That’s a good question. One strong lesson I learned on “The Bachelorette” is that there’s a healthy amount of wearing your heart on your sleeve, but it’s also important to take a step back and see the whole situation for what it is. It’s easy to be in too deep and get lost in everything. So I will be open and wearing my heart on my sleeve, but also making sure to take a step back to see the full picture when I need to.

BN: And how are you feeling about going into dating so many women at once?

ZS: I mean, there’s no way to really prepare for something like this. The only thing that I’m going to make sure of is that I’m focused on being respectful and not playing with other people’s emotions. That’s not who I am and that’s not what I do. I am going to do my best to make sure that I’m being respectful and kind as I navigate all the different situations and dynamics. That’s my goal.

BN: We have to ask, what does your uncle Patrick Warburton think of you being the Bachelor?

ZS: He’s so excited for me, but also so nervous. I remember talking to him about it and it seems like he’s more nervous than I am. I don’t know why, but he was even nervous to watch himself back during the Hometowns episode. At some point during my season, I would love to have him back on, though. I’ve already asked him to if the opportunity presents itself, so we’ll see, who knows!

BN: So fun! Lastly, what do you want Bachelor Nation fans to know about you going into your role as the Bachelor?

ZS: I want Bachelor Nation fans to know that I’m taking this opportunity really seriously. Not only do I want to be engaged by the end of this, but I want to find my best friend. That being said, I’m going to do my best to stay true to myself and just hope that it ends the way I want it to. I hope that the person I find that with feels the same way about me that I do about them.