Courtney Robertson Confirms She's Dating Arie Luyendyk; Critics Slam 'Publicity Stunt'
"The Bachelor" winner Courtney Robertson recently confirmed that she is dating "The Bachelorette" finalist, Arie Luyendyk Jr., less than one month after her split from her ex-fiance Ben Flajnik.
The 29-year-old model was photographed kissing Luyendyk, 31, in October just one week after both she and Flajnik, 28, called off their engagement for a final time. Despite winning Flajnik's heart during the season 16 final rose ceremony, the relationship crumbled and she has since moved on with Luyendyk.
"Yes, I'm dating Arie! We're enjoying our time together," Robertson told Life and Style magazine.
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"I was miserable with Ben; he treated me so badly," she added. Robertson, who became widely unpopular among her fellow season 16 contestants, had made plans to move to San Francisco to start a life with Flajnik, "but he was all like, 'I just turned 30, and I'm not ready,'" she explained.
Robertson was photographed returning the $80,000 3-carat engagement ring that she received from Flajnik shortly after their split. Days later, she was photographed on a date with Luyendyk, sparking criticisms that the new couple may not be genuine.
"I didn't want to jump from one public relationship to another but Arie and I get along, and I'm not going to let that get away," she said. "Arie makes me laugh so hard, and he's adorable, so I'm going with it!"
Viewers of the ABC dating show flocked to social networking site Twitter to weigh in on Robertson's relationship with Luyendyk and many dismissed their union as being a publicity stunt.
"Well that was quick. Courtney Robertson is now dating Emily's rejected bachelor Arie. Publicity stunt?...I think so," Cassity tweeted.
"Wow Courtney Robertson, ALREADY dating Arie? You're such an attention seeking w----... #bachelor," Allie Morrison tweeted.
"Courtney Robertson is so desperate to cling on to 15 min of fame that she is now dating Arie! I can't stand her! Go away," Mary tweeted.
