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Ali Fedotowsky, Evan Bass, More Bachelor Nation Stars React to New Lead Arie Luyendyk Jr.

Bachelor Nation isn’t holding back. Following the Thursday, September 7, announcement that Arie Luyendyk Jr. will be the next Bachelor, franchise alums immediately took to social media to express their thoughts on the surprising casting news. 

Related: 10 Times ‘The Bachelor’ Made Our Heads Explode!

“So happy for you @ariejr ,” season 6 Bachelorette Ali Fedotowsky wrote. “Couldn’t be more thrilled with ABC’s choice!” 

Ali Fedotowsky Arie Luyendyk Jr Evan Bass
Ali Fedotowsky, Arie Luyendyk, Jr. and Evan Bass.

Evan Bass, who found love with wife Carly Waddell on season 3 of Bachelor in Paradise, used the opportunity to poke fun at the franchise stars’ tendency to post sponsored content on Instagram. “I like Arie as #thebachelor. He represents a purer time before gummies & laxative tea,” Bass wrote in reference to Luyendyk Jr’s appearing on the show years prior in 2012, when he was Emily Maynard’s runner-up. ” (Also pls check out my new ointment line coming 2025).”

Related: 10 Times ‘The Bachelor’ Made Our Heads Explode!

Luyendyk Jr. opened up about the casting on Good Morning America’s Thursday episode. “It sunk in just now for sure of the it’s been a little surreal,” he said. “I was a little skeptical just because we had been in talks for a few years about doing it so I just kind of went in with an open heart and just kind of hit me right now I’m here.”

He added that even those closest to him were left in the dark about the big news. “I kind of kept things under wraps because I didn’t know how this would turn out,” he explained on GMA. “It’s been such a quick turn of events and my family doesn’t know so now they know so they know along with you guys.”

Related: Bachelor Us Weekly Covers

See more reactions from Bachelor Nation stars below:

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