Who The Bachelor Picked in 2018: A Complete Look at Season 22 and Its Aftermath

In 2018, during Season 22 of ABC’s hit reality television series The Bachelor, lead Arie Luyendyk Jr. ultimately chose and proposed to Becca Kufrin. However, that iconic television moment was followed by one of the most infamous and dramatic switch-ups in franchise history, when Luyendyk subsequently broke off his engagement to pursue runner-up Lauren Burnham, whom he later married.

Understanding Season 22 of The Bachelor

The twenty-second season of The Bachelor debuted on January 1, 2018, airing on ABC. This particular installment brought a significant wave of nostalgia and surprise to long-time viewers because the leading man, Arie Luyendyk Jr., was a runner-up from Season 8 of The Bachelorette starring Emily Maynard, which had aired all the way back in 2012. Luyendyk, a professional auto racing driver and real estate broker often nicknamed the "Milking Man" due to his pre-franchise fame and career, spent weeks courting a diverse field of thirty single women.

As the season progressed through various international trips, dramatic group dates, and emotionally charged one-on-one sessions, Luyendyk narrowed down his pool of contestants. The production dynamic relied heavily on traditional narrative structures: introducing fan favorites, managing house drama, and building romantic tension up to the traditional overnight fantasy suites. By the time the final episodes approached in March 2018, the competition boiled down to two distinct front-runners: Becca Kufrin, a publicist from Minnesota, and Lauren Burnham, a technology salesperson from Virginia.

The culmination of the journey took place in Iquitos, Peru, where the final rose ceremony dictated the trajectory of Luyendyk's romantic life—and set off a media storm that captivated reality television fans around the world.

The Final Rose Choice: Becca Kufrin

During the Season 22 finale, which aired in March 2018, Arie Luyendyk Jr. made his initial choice by selecting Becca Kufrin. Standing on the shores of Peru, Luyendyk expressed deep affection for Kufrin, praising her stability, kindness, and unwavering support throughout the rigorous production schedule. He got down on one knee, presented a Neil Lane diamond ring, and asked her to marry him. Kufrin accepted the proposal, and the couple celebrated their engagement on camera, believing they had found their happily ever after.

However, reality television relationships forged under intense public scrutiny often face immediate post-production pressures. Viewers watched the engagement unfold with mixed emotions, but the true drama of Season 22 was only just beginning to surface behind the scenes.

Key Details of the Season 22 Finale

The Historic Post-Finale Switch-Up

What sets the 2018 season apart from almost every other installment of The Bachelor is the unprecedented on-camera breakup that occurred after filming concluded. Shortly after returning to the real world, Luyendyk experienced intense second thoughts regarding his choice. He realized that his heart still belonged to the runner-up, Lauren Burnham, whom he had painfully let go of during the final rose ceremony.

Rather than handling the situation privately away from the cameras, Luyendyk and the production team orchestrated a shocking sequence of events. ABC cameras captured the private, agonizing conversation where Luyendyk broke up with Becca Kufrin in her own home, stripping away the celebratory post-show bliss and replacing it with raw, unfiltered heartbreak.

This unedited, multi-camera breakup footage aired during the live-to-tape "After the Final Rose" special. Viewers watched as Kufrin processed the shock of being un-chosen, while a live studio audience and host Chris Harrison looked on. The segment drew massive viewing figures and widespread public debate regarding the ethics of capturing and broadcasting such a deeply personal revocation of a marriage proposal.

Aftermath and Where They Are Now

Following the tumultuous conclusion of Season 22, the lives of the primary individuals involved took very different paths, all of which played out prominently in the public eye.

Becca Kufrin's Journey

Despite the public humiliation of the televised breakup, Becca Kufrin was quickly embraced by the franchise fan base. Producers immediately named her as the lead for the subsequent season of The Bachelorette (Season 14), which aired later in 2018. Kufrin successfully completed her own season, choosing Garrett Yrigoyen, though that relationship eventually ended. Kufrin later found lasting love with Thomas Jacobs, whom she met on Bachelor in Paradise in 2021. The couple married and have since started a family, turning her initial heartbreak into a resilient television and personal success story.

Arie Luyendyk Jr. and Lauren Burnham

Immediately after breaking off his engagement with Kufrin, Luyendyk pursued Lauren Burnham. The two quickly reunited, and Luyendyk proposed to Burnham during the live "After the Final Rose" broadcast in March 2018. They did not wait long to solidify their commitment: the couple married in January 2019 in Hawaii. Over the subsequent years, they have built a family together, welcoming multiple children and documenting their lives as real estate investors and lifestyle content creators across social media platforms.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who did Arie Luyendyk Jr. originally pick in 2018?

Arie Luyendyk Jr. originally picked Becca Kufrin during the finale of The Bachelor Season 22, proposing to her with a Neil Lane ring in Peru.

Why did Arie change his mind about Becca Kufrin?

After filming wrapped and the couple returned to normal life, Luyendyk experienced persistent doubts and realized he could not stop thinking about runner-up Lauren Burnham, leading him to terminate his engagement with Kufrin.

Did Arie and Lauren get married?

Yes. After breaking up with Kufrin, Luyendyk publicly proposed to Lauren Burnham during the live "After the Final Rose" special in March 2018. They married in January 2019 and remain together with children.

What happened to Becca Kufrin after the show?

Following the dramatic breakup, Becca Kufrin was chosen as the lead for Season 14 of The Bachelorette. She later appeared on Bachelor in Paradise, where she met Thomas Jacobs, whom she later married.

How many seasons of The Bachelor had aired by 2018?

Season 22 of The Bachelor, featuring Arie Luyendyk Jr., aired in early 2018, marking the twenty-second principal male-led installment of the long-running ABC reality television franchise.