Official: The Next 'Bachelor' Is Arie Luyendyk Jr.
TV

The racing car driver who once vied for Emily Maynard's attention on 'The Bachelorette' season 8 will return to TV for the new season of 'The Bachelor'.

AceShowbiz - The man handing out roses in the next installment of "The Bachelor" has finally been revealed. Racing car driver Arie Luyendyk Jr. from Emily Maynard's "The Bachelorette" season 8 was announced on "Good Morning America" to get a second chance in finding love on television.

The son of Indy 500 champ Arie Luyendyk said on the ABC breakfast show that he's looking for a woman who's "Independent, strong, but then still gentle." The 35-year-old hunk added, "Obviously, there's got to be that chemistry there. Emily and I had it previously and I’m hoping to find that type of love, for sure."

During Emily's season, Arie earned the nickname "Kissing Bandit." He made it into the final two but lost to his rival Jef Holm. "I can't think of a better person to be The Bachelor than Arie and I've been hoping this day would come since Season 8 ended!" Emily told Us Weekly after Arie's casting was unveiled. "He's a gentleman through and through and all the girls on his season are lucky to have him. I'll be wishing him nothing but the best because that's absolutely what he deserves!"

Meanwhile, actor Zach Braff poked fun at his similarities with the new "Bachelor" star. The former "Scrubs" star quipped on his Twitter page, "I can't believe I'm the Bachelor! I didn't even audition. Looking forward to the fantasy suites."

After his stint on Emily's season, Arie Luyendyk Jr. never appeared on any other "Bachelor" spin-offs like "Bachelor Pad" or "Bachelor in Paradise". He was considered for "Bachelor" season 17 but lost the spot to Sean Lowe, who also previously vied for Emily's attention. He was courted again for "Bachelor" season 19 but lost to Chris Soules from Andi Dorfman's season.

"It's about time! Couldn't have picked a better guy," Sean tweeted after Arie was finally picked for season 22. In another post, he responded to fans who criticized the producers for not picking a younger guy, "My grandmother has been petitioning for an older, grayer gentleman to be the bachelor for years now. She's excited @ariejr!"

Post-"Bachelorette", Arie was linked to Courtney Robertson after she called it quits with Ben Flajnik ("Bachelor" season 16). Their fling sparked controversy since the two men hung out only a few weeks before Arie was spotted with Courtney. After breaking up with Courtney, Arie was linked to Selma Alameri, a contestant from Sean's season.

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