Host Chris Harrison has been promoting next week’s The Bachelor finale teasing that the results would be the Most Dramatic Ever! Now, it has leaked that Bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr. proposed to one bachelorette on the finale, only to change his mind weeks later and begin dating the other.
Several outlets are reporting the news, including Entertainment Tonight:
Multiple sources confirmed to ET that the reality star called off his engagement to his season 22 pick (which will be revealed next week on ABC) more than a month after filming wrapped. He and the runner-up who he’d sent home are now together as a couple.
After Monday night’s episode, fans know that Arie ultimately ends up with either Becca Kufrin or Lauren Burnham, but one thing’s for sure, what went down is sure to be one of the most complicated stories in Bachelor history.
Arie’s switcharoo didn’t happen until AFTER the Bachelor premiered on New Year’s Day.
A source tells ET that Arie first reached out to the runner-up when the show premiered in January, while he was still with the woman he proposed to. They had emotional conversations, and the source says that just a few weeks after, he broke up with his fiancée.
Reportedly, although the woman Arie initially proposed to was blindsided, there is no bad blood between the finalists. Another source told ET that all of the women have stayed pals and aren’t blaming the runner-up for what happened. “They blame Arie,” the source said. Apparently the woman Arie initially proposed to was blindsided.
“There’s not a rift between Becca and Lauren. Arie put them in this situation,” the source said. “They’re very different but both well-liked by all the women, and both of them really cared for Arie. He said ‘I love you’ to them both, and it really seems like he did it more to get his own emotions affirmed. A lot of the women feel he’s selfish.”
So now we know what that cryptic statement Caroline made on last Sunday’s Women Tell All special meant. “I know what you did and I don’t know how you could do that,” she said mysteriously. “and I just really don’t understand…but I really hope you found what you’re looking for.” OK then.
Something similar happened a few seasons ago, on Jason Mesnick’s season of The Bachelor in 2009. Mesnick originally proposed to Melissa Rycroft to be his wife, but later called off the engagement to be with runner-up Molly Malaney. The two eventually married and have a couple of kids together.
Additionally, according to E!, Arie immediately notified ABC when he began to have second thought about his choice. That means the cameras were around to record all the drama. It’s such a big story, ABC has decided to air a freaking FIVE HOUR FINALE next week, spread over two nights. The fun begins Monday at 8 pm, and ends in a three hour marathon, including a 2 hour After the Rose special, at 8 pm on ABC.
