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The New Bachelor Is Here and He's a Total Surprise to Everyone
He's a blast from the past, and known to be a kissing bandit.
In a move that no one saw coming, Arie Luyendyk, Jr. will be The Bachelor for the popular series' 22nd season. He last appeared on Season 8 of The Bachelorette with Emily Maynard in 2012, when he made it to the final two men (and expressed that she was the "love of my life" right after he was rejected). Many had expected that The Bachelor would have been selected from more recent contestants.
The race car driver, who has followed in his father's career footsteps, was known as the "kissing bandit" on The Bachelorette. He also seems to be an excellent secret-keeper, as his friends and family found out with the rest of the country when he appeared live on Good Morning America to make the announcement.
"It’s been such a quick turn of events and my family doesn’t know," he revealed. "So now they know. So they know along with you guys."
He's about to turn 36, which E News! notes makes him one of the oldest Bachelor contestants ever, and he's got a good sense of humor about it.
He's pretty clear on what he's looking for: a vibe.
"Obviously, there’s got to be that chemistry there," he told GMA. "Emily and I had it previously and I’m hoping to find that type of love, for sure."
With a tumultuous season of Bachelor in Paradise almost in the rear view, it's just about time for Arie to take a second bold shot at reality television love.
