Arie Luyendyk Jr.
Bio
Six years ago, Arie Luyendyk Jr. was in love and a day away from proposing to the woman of his dreams on ABC’s “The Bachelorette.” And then, she broke his heart. Emily Maynard (now Emily Maynard Johnson) wasn’t Luyendyk’s future wife, but she left a lasting impression on the man known as “the kissing bandit.” He revealed on that season’s “After the Final Rose” that he was so in love with Emily, he flew to see her after the show stopped filming, only to come to his senses out of respect for the Bachelorette and her final decision. Arie hasn’t been in love at all since Emily.
After a tearful exit on Emily’s season of “The Bachelorette,” Luyendyk stepped away from the spotlight; and even though he has been gone from Bachelor Nation, America hasn’t forgotten his handsome good looks and charm.
Now he is back and ready for a second shot at love, starring in the 22nd season of ABC’s “The Bachelor,” which returns in January 2018.
Born in the Netherlands, Luyendyk and his family emigrated to the United States when he was just 3 years old. Son of famed Formula One racer Arie Luyendyk Sr., a two-time Indianapolis 500 winner, the younger Luyendyk followed in his father’s footsteps. He made a name for himself, speeding his own way into the Indy 500. After a career as a respected Formula One racer, he shifted gears and is now a successful real estate broker in Scottsdale, Arizona. And after mending his broken heart, he is finally ready to start his own journey for love.
