Nothing worse than being out of town and having major news break in “Bachelor” world as it did last week. I left Wednesday morning for Vegas, and as we know, all hell kinda broke loose regarding the “Bachelor” announcement all day Wednesday then with the formal announcement on GMA Thursday morning. Needless to say, it consumed a lot of my time the first two days I was there which I hated happening. There was so much back and forth Wednesday trying to get to the bottom of what was happening, I’ll try and explain best in detail what I had heard and what led me to tweet what I did on Wednesday. Yes, when I left at 7:00am on Wednesday morning, I was under the impression nothing had changed from the previous week that sources were telling Peter would be the “Bachelor” and it would be announced soon. Then Fleiss went all Twitter crazy in the next few days and things started getting a bit weird. Not five minutes after I landed, I was being blown up about Fleiss tweeting that Peter was probably not going to be the “Bachelor.” That’s when I checked my email and I’d gotten information about a new name I hadn’t heard of: Arie.
I understand that doubters are saying, “Well of course now you say that. You had no idea.” Obviously I had a clue where they were leaning or else I wouldn’t have tweeted what I did before bed Wednesday night:
My final prediction before it's announced tomorrow: Arie.
— RealitySteve (@RealitySteve) September 7, 2017
Not to mention the numerous people I was texting and talking to all day Wednesday about Arie. I was trying to get solid confirmation all day Wednesday that Arie was definitely who they were going with. Media outlets were contacting me, contestants were asking me what’s going on, friends were saying “Did you see Fleiss’ tweet,” etc. So yeah, my job at that point was to get confirmation of, “If it’s not Peter, then who is it.” The problem was, along with Arie, I started hearing other names: Ben Z., Wells, Ben H., Roberto, Eric, and Jared to name a few. All those that kept coming up, I kept getting confirmations that it WASN’T them, but I could never get a confirmation it wasn’t, or was, Arie. He was one that was a mystery. So before I went to bed Wednesday night, I sent that tweet out.
What’s funny about this whole thing is, come to find out now, ABC really didn’t make their decision until very late in the game. Arie was on the red eye to NY late Wednesday night. So it’s not like this was something they knew weeks ago and they strung everyone along. He wasn’t “official” in their minds til late Wednesday, he got on a red eye, and was on GMA Thursday morning for the announcement. It’s really the only “spoiler” this show can keep a secret about since it’s a “live” announcement. Everything else they do is taped and pretty much gets spoiled. So yeah, they’ve become better at hiding this, but make no mistake about it, Arie was not their first choice this season. I think they’ve made that pretty clear.
When I reported about Peter two weeks ago, it was because I was made aware Peter was in LA, in a hotel room, set to be announced as the “Bachelor.” Ask anyone involved, and if they’re being honest, they’ll tell you. Hell, we know he was there because TMZ then later caught him leaving the airport at LAX two Friday’s ago. Peter basically said it himself thinking it was gonna be him. In terms of what went down, you’ll hear a lot of stories and yeah, it is tough to distinguish what’s true and what isn’t. What I told you all along is pretty much what went down. They wanted Peter. They always wanted Peter as the “Bachelor.” And Peter was set to be the “Bachelor.” Until he wasn’t. Talks broke down over demands apparently, and in the end, they decided to go in a different direction. What those demands were will be debated forever. Peter had this IG post after the fact:
So yeah, if you read that, it certainly makes you think that he wasn’t comfortable giving himself up to this process. It also makes you think that after they decided to go in a different direction, Peter went, “Oh sh**, what did I just do? Why was I being so stubborn about all this?” Certainly comes across as regret. When you read this interview with Robert Mills, I think everyone can see they wanted Peter and things just didn’t work out. He had the gig and he lost it. I think it’s pretty clear to anyone who has watched this play out Peter was their first choice. It certainly wasn’t Arie. Maybe I’ll just refer to Arie as “not Peter” all season. That’s actually being kind considering the numerous other things I could refer to him as. Yes, they talk to numerous people every season, some more serious than others, and when things fell apart with Peter, they struck up more serious conversation with Arie.
With all that said, and after reading that interview with Robert Mills and also Chris Harrison chiming in on stuff I saw over the weekend, lets make no mistake about it: If they can bring Arie back after 5 years of obscurity, Peter is an option for every future “Bachelor” season going forward. Hell, if he was the “Bachelor” next season, I wouldn’t be surprised. The guy will always have a storyline to be the “Bachelor,” and more so now than ever before of now “not being the right time,” maybe not being in the right frame of mind, but a year from now, he says he’s cleared his head and he’s open to the process. So yeah, just now from this point forward, people will be throwing Peter’s name into the “Bachelor” hat when discussions are happening. It’s inevitable. The choice of Arie only solidifies that.
adelina
September 12, 2017 at 12:23 PM
This silly/juvenile Amanda & Robby stuff is a prime example of how people (even Z-listers such as these two) can get so caught up in being in the public eye that they lose sight of the big picture of their lives.
Amanda and Robby are both guilty of trying to extend their 15 minutes as long as possible – but thankfully, Amanda Stanton seems to be finally finding her voice after getting burned a couple too many times. Robby is so desperately hanging onto his hilarious “influencer” persona that it’s rather pathetic. His whole look — between the teeth, hair and clothing just screams desperation. My advice to the two of them – stay off my tv and please go away and get real with yourself.
I don’t feel any which way about Arie as Bachelor except clearly he is another Nick, Juan Pablo type just looking for some good times and tv exposure. It’s all entertaining to me.
I’m glad BIP is over. None of the cast was appealing in any way.
tinyred500
September 12, 2017 at 1:16 PM
I really wish RS would get off his high horse with his Team this or Team that. Why can’t someone be simply a ‘I don’t mind’ kind of person or an ‘I’m impartial’ kind of person? Why do we have to be on a Team?! RS really gets his knickers in a twist with peeps he doesn’t like or care too much about (to the point of utter disdain), God forbid we dare have a past, earn too much money and saunter around having far too much fun. It really and truly doesn’t matter Steve, people can be liked and tolerated ‘just because’.
qtontv
September 12, 2017 at 1:32 PM
How did people figure out that guy was Robby?? It’s clear what’s going on between those two people, but it’s the back of him. If he were to deny anything, why not deny that it wasn’t him in the picture? What am I missing here????
And yeah, “The Bachelor” is pretty much becoming “The Player” at this point. It’s only a matter of time before the delusion is shattered. Steve, better start thinking of back up plans, even if it is a few years out.
dogmomma
September 12, 2017 at 1:34 PM
Daniel was just gross last night.
Scallop Fingers was refreshingly awesome when she dumped not-a-serial-killer Jack Stone.
I was a little shocked at Raven and Adam being a couple. Curious to see how long it lasts.
Taylor and Derek were cute together. Maybe they will be the next Jade & Tanner.
Dean got the living sh*t kicked out of him by the 2 girls. He looked miserable but on SM he seems to be over it.
I’m confused about Arie. Emily Maynard spoke highly of him when he was announced as Bachelor, but everything else I’m reading about him is not very flattering. I guess time will tell.
adelina
September 12, 2017 at 2:19 PM
Ah!!!!! I forgot to mention Daniel…..what a *ouche. That outfit, it looked painted on. Could he be any more obvious in trying to show off his muscles? The overly fitted shirt with overly fitted vest. Talk about thirsty…dude no. Hopefully Lacey learned a lesson with this one but I loved how she called him out.
As far as Dean. I think his aww shucks I’m an idiot way of handling things is demonstrative of his age. He’s young….and dumb. He is clearly searching for something and it’s clear that even he doesn’t know what that is.
As far as Steve and advertising Arie’s past and others dirty laundry….that’s his job. That’s what brings in the readers, like it or not.
tinyred500
September 12, 2017 at 2:36 PM
We all know why and what RS does, that’s how he makes a living, fair do’s. There’s a way though of reporting stuff without being so prejudice or bias, and if someone happens to prefer or not mind a person they are automatically termed ‘crazy’ by him etc. A lighter tone would make it a better and funnier read.
beccaleigh757
September 12, 2017 at 4:37 PM
I found out about Arie being the Bachelor when I read it on Daily Mail and the first comment I saw said this:
“I’ve known Arie for 20 years,, and he is still single because he likes dating a lot of people and is not the marrying type. He is never really committed, despite some long term relationships.”
His reputation is all over comment sections and social media! There was even a comment about his love of 18 yr olds on that article. They should’ve gone out and found a completely new lead who wasn’t already on a previous season because reaching so far back to bring on a guy from 5 yrs ago.
jlal
September 12, 2017 at 5:06 PM
Arie’s last girlfriend of a year said as far as she knew he was faithful. He’s had some long term relationships so that says something. I don’t remember too much from when he was on the bachelorette, am just happy it is not one of the current gang. I’m so over all of them. Someone newish is refreshing. Heck I would have loved a total unknown.
TeresaRenee
September 12, 2017 at 8:25 PM
I don’t get how anyone can be sure it’s Robby either. It’s the back of a guy with a hat. Can’t tell anything else.
katiel1992
September 13, 2017 at 4:18 AM
I still don’t understand why people wanted Peter. He made it clear he wouldn’t propose because he wanted more time in the relationship because it was so short. So clearly the next step is making him the Bachelor where he’d have to propose to someone in the same exact timeframe. And producers will totally push him to because they weren’t thrilled when Brad and JP didn’t propose at the end of their seasons. None of this makes sense unless Peter is just another looking to extend his 15 minutes.
dogmomma
September 13, 2017 at 7:52 AM
For the people who question whether it really was Robby in those pictures, I read another article where Amanda claims that she has multiple pictures & videos from different people who saw Robby getting cozy with a girl. I’m sure people recognize him from the show just like the person who recognized Nick V on the airplane when he was talking about not getting the final rose from Andi. If Robby keeps denying the claims and re-posting comments from people who are bashing Amanda, I wouldn’t be surprised if she released a lot more of the evidence she claims to have.
jessie
September 13, 2017 at 10:55 AM
What’s interesting to me, is someone who reads a site, doesn’t enjoy it and feels the need to comment that the writer shouldn’t be able to express their opinion on people. Thereby expressing THEIR own opinion on someone. Ironic, stupid, hypocritical? Yes!! It’s his site – he can say and do what he wants. Don’t ever stop RS! Love your take!!
atleast4characters
September 14, 2017 at 10:11 PM
So there’s no internet in Vegas?