Fans of The Bachelor have a lot of questions about this upcoming season. Questions like why was Arie Luyendyk Jr. picked? And is Arie too old to be The Bachelor?
But Arie’s no stranger to the franchise. In fact, he very famously dated Emily Maynard on her season of The Bachelorette.
How does she feel about the guy who was “devastated” by their breakup going on to star on his own season? Is she going to watch?
Remember Emily Maynard?
Back on Season 15 of The Bachelor, she competed for Brad Womack’s heart and even won it.
They eventually broke off their engagement. (Gee, I’m really starting to think that reality television might not be the most reliable vehicle for finding love)
Then, Emily became the leading lady on The Bachelorette, where Arie Luyendyk Jr. was among the fiercest competitors for her hand.
Arie was apparently thunderstruck when Emily broke up with him. He had, after all, made it so far, only to lose to Jef Holm.
(Since then, Jef Holm has referred to his former friend Arie as “disgusting,” citing that as the reason for which they are no longer friends)
If you remember the post-final-rose drama, Arie actually flew to Charlotte where Emily lives, intending to speak to her, because he was that desperate for fame … we mean, heartbroken.
And instead of speaking to her, he delivered his diary to her, which might be one of the most extra things that we’ve ever seen from the Bachelor Nation (which is saying a lot). He allegedly hoped that it would help to erase any doubts she might have had about his character.
She didn’t read it.
But she and Jef Holm went their separate ways after a few months.
Now Arie, Emily Maynard’s ex who was so “devastated” by their breakup that he almost confronted her at her home about it, is The Bachelor.
What does Emily think about that? She spoke to People about her mixed feelings.
“I’ve been rooting for Arie to be the Bachelor since my season ended — he’s a great guy.”
Uh-huh.
She says that “it’ll be great TV.” True.
Emily also says that it won’t be “TV that is watched in my house.”
“I feel like it would probably not be appropriate,” she explains.
We totally get that.
“But I’ll catch the highlights on [People],” she adds.
if she wants to get ahead of the game, she could follow The Bachelor Spoilers.
Just saying.
Of course, Emily Maynard is now a mother of four. Her youngest is just a couple of months old, so we imagine that she has her hands full.
She’s not the only ex of Arie’s who’s likely to have complicated feelings about all of this.
If you’ll recall, Arie Luyendyk Jr. dumped his girlfriend to become The Bachelor. Like, two days before the big announcement.
That sounds awkward as hell.
We wonder if Sydney Stempfley’s name will come up during this season of The Bachelor.
