Becca Kufrin Named 'The Bachelorette,' Arie and Lauren Get Engaged
BECCA KUFRIN" data-credit="Paul Hebert via Getty Images" src="https://o.aolcdn.com/images/dims?crop=2272%2C1196%2C409%2C100&quality=85&format=jpg&resize=900%2C474&image_uri=http%3A%2F%2Fo.aolcdn.com%2Fhss%2Fstorage%2Fmidas%2F3946442000ecf7d41ebb704521c0ee9c%2F206190864%2Fthe-bachelor-after-the-final-rose-aries-soulsearching-journey-after-picture-id928322868&client=a1acac3e1b3290917d92&signature=3232880d802123d87f7c4e5c0144be355ea56318" data-mep="2510287" data-provider="getty" data-provider-asset-id="928322868" />When one door closes, 25 more open for Becca Kufrin. The 27-year-old publicist from Minnesota was named as the new "Bachelorette."
Kufrin had a huge groundswell of support after she was broken up with on national television by "Bachelor" lead Arie Luyendyk Jr., 36, who had decided to end their engagement and go back to the runner-up, 26-year-old sales executive Lauren Burnham.
In the "After the Final Rose" special, Kufrin faced Luyendyk for the first time since their breakup. But she surprisingly did not hold any ill will toward himself. Instead, she forgave him and wished him well with Burnham.
Luyendyk himself acknowledged the vitriol he's receiving — but said he didn't regret anything. And when Burnham was brought to the stage, he got down on bended knee (again) to propose, but this time to Burnham. She accepted.
As painful as that must've been to see for Kufrin, host Chris Harrison had a different proposal for her — to be the next "Bachelorette." She happily accepted.
"At the end of the day, the show is about finding love. I have a lot of love to give," Kufrin told Harrison. "I want to be the best damn 'Bachelorette' I can be. I'm so excited. I want to find love. I'm just so excited, I just want to do this."
Kufrin even got to meet five of her suitors early, ranging from a banjo-playing musician to a guy with a horse. Back in the saddle again!
Here's how "Bachelor" Nation reacted to Kufrin being the "Bachelorette."
How lucky are we that Becca is the new Bachelorette!! I am in love with her strength and inner beauty that radiates outward ❤️????????✨ This next season of @BachelorABC is going to be all the magic!! #TheBachelor
— Kendall Long (@KendallPatrice) March 7, 2018
"I just proposed in front of my ex fiancé" - Arie
"I just became Bachelorette with 25 fresh guys. I win." - Becca #AfterTheFinalRosepic.twitter.com/X5sxpk9pIy— Samantha Robles (@Samirobles2013) March 7, 2018
Becca: leaves with a contract for The Bachelorette, a good group of girlfriends, and endless venmo payments for wine
Lauren: leaves with Arie...
#thebachelor#afterthefinalrose— Alex Gallagher (@alexineleila) March 7, 2018
Congrats on being The Bachelorette, Becca! You will continue the class act and make the rest of us feel like angry psycho crazies. Oh just me? I'll take it. ☺️
— CatherineGiudiciLowe (@clmgiudici) March 7, 2018
YASSSS BECCA BACHELORETTE MY HEART IS FULL #TheBachelor (please don't bring weirdos out to meet her)
— Evan Bass (@ebassclinics) March 7, 2018
Becca's ex right now applying for The Bachelorette #AftertheFinalRosepic.twitter.com/0VLUPS6QVa
— Lauren (@laurenwoloszyn_) March 7, 2018