Arie Luyendyk Jr. says didn't allow physical attraction to cloud his judgment when filming The Bachelor's 22nd season.
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"I think for me...in the past, I'd lead with chemistry," Arie told ABC News. "That hadn't worked out. And so, chemistry isn't everything. So I really wanted to sort of step back away from that."
Arie will have a pool of 29 beautiful and accomplished bachelorettes to choose from -- curvy brunettes, leggy blondes and everyone in between.
"[There were] connections that I immediately had with some of the women in the house," Arie revealed, "[but] I wanted to be careful about that and really keep myself open."
Arie's bachelorettes this season include a Yale graduate, sports reporter, business owner, physical therapist, orthopedic nurse, marketing manager and more.
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So what was the 36-year-old pro racing driver turned real estate agent from Scottsdale, AZ, hoping to find among all these women?
"I was looking for someone who is very independent," Arie told ABC News. "A lot like me, you know, someone who can be goofy and have a good sense of humor and have a good conversation."
Arie's comments are an elaboration on what he told Reality TV World during a December conference call about whether he had set any rules for himself going into The Bachelor to ensure he'd make smart decisions and choose the most promising relationship.
"I think my gameplan was to not lead with chemistry. I think in the past, I've done that before. And I think as a man, it's easy to do that. Also, for me, I just really tried to envision how that person would fit in my regular life and if I could fit into her life," Arie told Reality TV World.
"And so, it's really easy to get wrapped up in the romance and the experience, and you know, the beautiful women sitting across from you. But really, you have to look at it outside of this and look at what your future would look like together."
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Arie continued, "And that's sometimes hard to do, because chemistry can take a hold of a relationship pretty quickly, and so I just tried not to lead with chemistry."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' SPOILERS: WHO ARE ARIE LUYENDYK JR.'S FINAL 4 BACHELORETTES AND HIS FINAL PICK?
Prior to starring on The Bachelor, Arie competed for Emily Maynard's heart on The Bachelorette's eighth season back in 2012.
He fell deeply in love with Emily but left the process with a broken heart, as Emily selected Jef Holm as her winner instead.
Arie later got involved in an on-again, off-again hot romance with former The Bachelor star Ben Flajnik's ex-fiancee, Courtney Robertson. Although Arie and Courtney's relationship didn't work out, they remain great friends.
About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski