Given the recent news of Bachelorette favorite Peter Kraus appearing on the franchise’s new spin-off series (and explaining why he turned down the Bachelor gig), it’s been a little difficult to focus on the actual Bachelor-to-be, Arie Luyendyk Jr. Not only was the pro racecar driver a pick completely out of the blue, but Arie’s Bachelorette season aired way back in 2012. I don’t blame anyone for not remembering him, but ABC has got Bachelor Nation’s backs. Cosmopolitan reports that every episode of Arie’s original season is now available for streaming on ABC.com and the network’s app. Thank goodness!
Finishing as the runner-up on Bachelorette Emily Maynard’s season, Arie appeared in a 30-second promo clip that let fans know that it’s totally cool to have forgotten about him. Even Arie is aware of how comically long this gap in appearances was, saying in the promo, “It feels like it’s been forever.”Â
While talking to PEOPLEÂ after Arie was announced as the new lead, his former love Emily said, “He’s so much fun to be around and comes from the nicest family, so the girls on his season really lucked out with him! Arie deserves nothing but the best, and I hope everything goes wonderfully for him!”
Season 8 of The Bachelorette will be available online until The Bachelor returns with Arie at the helm this January.Â