If you haven’t been watching the Bachelor franchise since at least 2012, you’re probably waking up to some very confusing news. After weeks of speculation, the new Bachelor was announced, and the lead is not even close to who you thought it was going to be.
Arie Luyendyk Jr. was announced as the Season 22 Bachelor on Thursday’s Good Morning America. Arie competed on Emily Maynard’s season of The Bachelorette—that was Season 8 of the spinoff if you’re keeping count—and made it all the way to the final two. At the time, Arie was a fan favorite, but Emily ultimately ended up engaged to Jef Holm, which didn’t last.
WATCH: A look back at @ariejr‘s journey on Season 8 of the @BacheloretteABC, before becoming the newest Bachelor!@BachelorABC #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/p0RIRGr5Xg
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 7, 2017
WATCH: Arie Luyendyk Jr. discusses becoming the new Bachelor with @michaelstrahan.@ariejr @BachelorABC #TheBachelor pic.twitter.com/9d6KYLZz6y
— Good Morning America (@GMA) September 7, 2017
This is the second year in a row that ABC has chosen a Bachelor who did not appear on the most recent season of The Bachelorette. While fans desperately wanted Rachel Lindsay’s runner-up, Peter Kraus, to fill the coveted slot, there has been much back and forth about whether he even wanted the gig. (And in my opinion, bless Peter for staying the heck away from this mess.)
Arie’s journey to find love will premiere some time in January, so that’s plenty of time to figure out if you care enough to tune in.