If you’re scratching your head after hearing the new Bachelor announcement, you’re not alone. Arie Luyendyk, Jr. will hand out roses in Season 22, leaving many people saying, who?
Pretty much all of Bachelor nation is confused about the choice, and some people are even upset.
Arie was the runner-up in Emily Maynard’s season of The Bachelorette back in 2012. So it looks like the producers reached a little further back into the show’s history than usual to find their main man. And apparently, their search was a bit panicked.
A source close to the inside of the action spoke with People about the show’s decision, especially considering many people assumed it’d be Peter. The source stated,
“They are in a full-blown panic mode. Peter was honestly never their first choice; they’re still mad at him because of the whole Rachel situation. But they knew he’s who the fans wanted. And the fact that they went to Peter even after they’d initially said they wouldn’t? That let Peter know he had a ton of power going into this situation.”
They added,
“Suddenly it was like they needed him more than he needs them — he didn’t think he was going to get it, anyway, so he doesn’t care if it all goes away again. He’s not bending on what he wants. Really, the producers feel like ANY demands coming from Peter are a bit much; they always think everybody should be falling all over themselves to get this honor. And Peter just doesn’t play that way. He doesn’t play by any of the rules — if he did, he’d have just proposed to Rachel even though he knew it wouldn’t work out, and then broken up with her a few months later, like Nick just did. But he couldn’t be forced into it.”
The source expressed that for awhile, it seemed like the producers had nowhere to turn. So it’s still a little unclear why Arie was the choice. Creator Mike Fleiss has been tweeting some cryptic messages about who it wouldn’t be, which left many people confused and frustrated. The whole situation is a little confusing, and Twitter is having a field day with it.
Me when they revealed #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/hS7j0q6ueV
— Shayla Smith (@shaylaasmith) September 7, 2017
“I’m so excited to watch Arie as #TheBachelor ” …is what I would have said 5 years ago… pic.twitter.com/C5rV3xNJ9B
— The Bachelor Lady (@BachelorLady) September 7, 2017
My actual reaction to #TheBachelor announcement pic.twitter.com/dKruRYsCGk
— Alyssa (@alyssacf10) September 7, 2017
When we found out Arie is #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/yfdGb2njl7
— Two of a Kind (@TwoOfAPod) September 7, 2017
As a new Bachelor viewer, I don’t know much about Arie as I didn’t watch The Bachelorette when he was on. But I say, let’s not drag him just because we wanted someone else.
We will have to see how things go with his season. As much as we would have loved to see Peter as The Bachelor, we’re glad he didn’t get sucked in or compromise his core values.
We were also hoping to see Eric or Alex from Rachel’s season. Who knows, maybe we’ll see them in 5 years…
