Yup, I’m defending the most recent Bachelor’s huuuuge mistake. Before you jump down my throats, let me say this: the whole Bachelor franchise is superficial, stupid, and a little disturbing. It’s fake, highly manipulated, and very embarrassing for a lot of the contestants. On this most recent season, I also definitely disagree with them taping the one genuine moment in probably all of Bachelor history (Arie dumping his fiance on camera). Having said all of that, here’s why I support Arie and his choice to propose to and then break up with Becca.
We’ve all been there, where we thought we wanted something- we really, really believed that we did- and then one day we woke up and we didn’t. In his case, it ended up being in love. You can’t say he shouldn’t have proposed to Becca without knowing 100% because in the moment, he really believed she was the one. He’s not the first Bachelor to have feelings for both girls and end up proposing to one, and not even the first to say I love you to both (remember Ben Higgins?). People change, feelings change, and Arie was just another victim to the fame, fandom, and money.
Secondly, I actually give him credit for ending his proposal and following his heart rather than getting married, living a loveless life, and getting divorced a short while later. It was better for both Becca and Arie that he made this decision now. Having said that, yes, I’m well aware that the timing was way too coincidental and ABC probably promised him more money if he held out till the finale and did it on air. As I mentioned at first, that part is beyond a doubt wrong and just mean. The principle behind his actions, however, led to him and Lauren being truly happy together. It takes guts and heart to do what he did, and a lot of men are too cowardly to admit that they were wrong, they hurt someone, and they needed to fix it. In this case, he was fixing it by leaving Becca.
Lastly- Becca now has a chance at “true” love as the Bachelorette, an opportunity she would have never had if she’d married and then divorced Arie. She has her pick now, and now that she knows what she will and won’t stand for, she’s determined to find the man that’s right for her and loves her- only her. I’m so excited to see who she meets and to continue this journey with her because she does deserve someone who never makes her second guess his heart.
Rip me apart if you want, but it seems like this worked out for the best for both of them.