Arie Luyendyk Jr. is ready to find his happily ever after!
The 35-year-old has been named The Bachelor‘s next leading man, Good Morning America revealed Thursday morning.
“This is pretty surreal,” Luyendyk Jr. exclusively tells PEOPLE. “It doesn’t really feel real yet, but I’m taking it step by step. The timing is just so perfect in my life. I could not be more excited for this journey I’m about to embark on.”
This won’t be the first time the Netherlands native attempted to find love on national television. Besides building a career as a professional auto racing driver turned real estate agent, Luyendyk Jr. is best known in Bachelor Nation as the runner-up on Emily Maynard‘s season of The Bachelorette in 2012.
“I’m not nervous,” he admits. “Now that I’ve had some time and distance away from it, it feels like the feeling I had before I went into it the first time. I think sometimes when you’re on The Bachelorette and you jump right into being the Bachelor, for me it would’ve been too soon. This feels more natural. I’m not concerned what people think. I’m just focused on the outcome. I want to find my person and will do whatever it takes!”