‘The Bachelor’ Arie Luyendyk Jr. Doesn’t Want to Be the “Kissing Bandit” Anymore (EXCLUSIVE)

Back when Arie Luyendyk Jr. was competing for Bachelorette Emily Maynard’s heart, he was dubbed “the kissing bandit” for their near-constant make-out sessions. Now that Arie, 36, has numerous women battling for his affection as the next Bachelor, the unfortunate nickname won’t be easy to shake — but Arie is hoping he can make it go away.

“We talked to him about that the other day, and we poked fun at that nickname because it’s the worst nickname in the world,” former Bachelor Sean Lowe, 33, told Life & Style at the Bertolli Brand Pasta Sauc Tuscan Dinner Party in NYC on Oct. 4. “He wants to get away from being seen as just a dude who wants to make out.” Arie will have his work cut out for him, because pictures have already begun to leak of him passionately kissing a contestant during a recently filmed one-on-one date at Lake Tahoe.

Arie filming an episode of The Bachelor. (Photo Credit: Getty Images)

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So what type of woman does Sean envision Arie choosing as his wife-to-be? “He needs somebody who is really confident in herself,” says Sean, “someone who is just well-grounded, maybe someone who has a career, someone who is not looking to be Instagram famous.”

Some fans expect Arie is just looking to hook up on The Bachelor, but Sean believes he wants more. “I hope he commits and sees it through after it’s over,” Sean tells Life & Style.

Check out the video below for details on Arie’s new gig!

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