The Bachelor
Twenty-nine hopefuls are racing for Arie Luyendyk’s heart on season 22 of The Bachelor.
The Bachelor Season 22 Saturdays (from 13 January) Vuzu AMP (*103) 18:00
Professional race car driver and adrenaline junkie Arie Luyendyk Jr is going full speed on his quest for love – he’s the new man with the roses on reality dating show The Bachelor (2002- current). It took Arie five years to mend his broken heart after Emily Maynard dumped him in season 8 of The Bachelorette (2003- current) in 2012. Now he is ready to give love a second chance. “I’ve always kept in touch with The Bachelor production team,” says Arie. “We had been talking about me being on the show for a while and I thought that season 22 was the perfect timing.” It was announced in September 2017 that he would be dishing out roses to 29 single beauties but that didn’t mean Arie was ready to jump in head-first. “I was a bit sceptical at first, but after some thought, I felt ready. I’m going in with an open heart and an even, open mind. It just hit me now that it’s finally happening,” laughs the 36-year- old.
GETTING THE GIRL
Life changed for Arie after his appearance on sistershow The Bachelorette. “I was getting recognised by women everywhere I went. Being on the show helped me focus on what I want for my future,” he says. “Although the outcome was tragic at the end [being dumped], it was a good experience to learn about myself.” He’s had time to fully recover from Emily and Arie is eager to “get the girl” and start a family. “All my friends have children and are raising families. I feel like I’m the last one in all my circles to take the step and now my 24-year-old brother got married, so I have to step it up,” he jokes.
And the ladies? They have travelled from all corners of the US in their quest to win The Bachelor’s heart. And while they come from different walks of life, there is trouble on the horizon for Arie – there are four Laurens, two Brits and two Rebeccas. “That’s enough to confuse a guy!” he laughs. Arie admits that he isn’t intimidated about giving out roses and being a race driver helps him be decisive: “I know what I want – my ideal woman is independent, strong but then still gentle too. She’s here!”