Arie Luyendyk Jr. has been chosen to be The Bachelor's upcoming Season 22 star.
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Arie, 35, initially competed for Emily Maynard's heart on The Bachelorette's eighth season in 2012 and finished as the runner-up behind winner Jef Holm. Emily, at the time, thought Arie was incredibly "hot" and noted that he has "a heart of gold."
Five years later, ABC executives and The Bachelor producers picked him to be the franchise's leading man for 2018 despite having other possibilities such as Eric Bigger, Ben Zorn, and Peter Kraus.
Arie was hesitant of the gig at first because he was considered for the position twice before but ultimately passed over for Sean Lowe and Chris Soules for Season 17 and Season 19, respectively.
Arie fell in love on The Bachelorette but left the series heartbroken, so he'll be looking for his perfect match on The Bachelor next season and to settle down with the woman of his dreams. He's said he's hoping to find a lady who is independent and strong, but also gentle at the same time.
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Below is a list of 5 facts Reality TV World has compiled about Arie Luyendyk Jr.:
- Arie began working as a real estate agent in Scottsdale, Arizona in the racing off-season late last year. He calls the real estate gig his "winter career" and gushes about how he loves it.
- Born in the Netherlands, Arie and his family immigrated to the United States when he was just three-years-old.
- Son of famed Formula One racer, Arie Luyendyk Sr., a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, Arie Jr. followed in his dad's footsteps and made a name for himself by speeding in the Indy 500.
- Arie, who also dabbled in modeling, speaks Dutch and often communicates with his parents in that language.
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- After appearing on The Bachelorette, Arie got romantically involved with former The Bachelor contestants Selma Alameri and Courtney Robertson.
In her memoir, I Didn't Come Here to Make Friends -- Confessions of a Reality Show Villain Courtney Robertson, Robertson wrote that Arie was the best sex she's ever had.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski