ABC/Craig Sjodin Six years ago, Arie Luyendyk Jr. was in love and a day away from proposing to the woman of his dreams. And then, she broke his heart. Emily Maynard (now Emily Maynard Johnson) may not have been Arie's future wife, but he hasn't been able to find a love like hers since. Now Arie, 36, is back and ready to race into America's heart yet again when he returns for a second shot at love, starring in the 22nd season of ABC's hit romance reality series "The Bachelor," premiering MONDAY, JANUARY 1 (8:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network.
Race car driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. is the new star of The Bachelor 2018 and some may remember him as the runner-up on Emily Maynard’s season of The Bachelorette back in 2012. Former Bachelor star Sean Lowe, who is a friend of Luyendyk’s, previously revealed that Luyendyk was actually supposed to be The Bachelor but was replaced by Chris Soules. Lowe explained, “They actually told Arie he was gonna be the Bachelor. They flew [him] down, had a camera crew, filmed him telling his family he was gonna be the next Bachelor – then pulled the rug out from underneath him and made Chris the Bachelor.” According to ABC, on the premiere episode of the show, Luyendyk and Lowe get together with Lowe’s wife Catherine and son Samuel before his journey as The Bachelor begins.
The new season of The Bachelor begins January 1, 2018 and there are 29 contestants in the mix, according to ABC. In the official premiere description, provided by ABC, the first episode plot reads that, “Once Arie enters the mansion, the competition is on! He is swept away by a very assertive and mysterious bachelorette. She lands the first one-on-one conversation with the debonair Bachelor and a very romantic kiss. There is already discord and envy running among the women as they try and steal time with the man they hope will be their fiance. When the “first impression” rose arrives, the bachelorettes’ anxiety level rises. A hopeful TV host believes that her future with the Bachelor is destiny. Another gorgeous, thoughtful woman makes Arie dig deep about why he hasn’t found true love since Emily. And for some, actions speak louder than words. A feisty lady uses a ukulele to serenade Arie, and yet another challenges him to race riding miniature racecars.”
Now let’s get into some of the bigger spoilers for the premiere and the overall season. For those who do NOT wish to know any spoilers, STOP READING NOW … Okay. Let’s get started.
At the first rose ceremony on the show, a handful of women are eliminated and they include contestants Olivia Goethals, Bri Amaranthus, Ali Harrington, Britt Johnson, Amber Wilkerson, Jessica Carroll, Nysha Norris, and Lauren Jarreau. As for the first solo date, this goes to Becca Kufrin, according to Reality Steve. This first one-on-one was a glamorous date. The two went on a motorcycle ride, attended a Rachel Zoe runway show, and went on a shopping spree. Kurfin is also definitely included in the hometown dates this season, as are Tia Booth, Kendall Long and Lauren Burnham.
(SPOILER): Quick video of the hometown date at Ocean Eddie’s on the Virginia Beach Oceanfront
According to Reality Steve, he knows the identity of the winner this season on the show and we can reveal it as well … Do NOT continue to read if you do NOT wish to know who the reported winner is for The Bachelor 2018 … And the reported winner this season is … Becca Kufrin. Lauren Burnham is reported to be the runner-up. Check out a photo of Kufrin below.