SHOCKING: Exclusives///emily maynard bachelorette winner - What We Know

📰 August 26, 2026
Your tip
Your tip
RadarOnlineRadarOnline
or
Sign in with lockrMail

The Bachelorette: And The Winner Is...

//emily arie jef abc

July 23 2012, Published 12:00 p.m. ET

RadarOnline CommentsLink to FacebookShare to XShare to FlipboardShare to Email

By Breaking Celebrity News Staff

As we first broke the news last week, Emily didn't even need a final date with Arie Luyendyk, Jr. to know Jef Holm was her choice, and the two had a fairy tale finale Sunday in the beautiful location of Curacao, complete with a proposal and engagement.

Emily's family was there to help the sexy Southern belle come to her final decision, but it was admittedly confusing for all, as both Jef and Arie made excellent impressions with her kin.

Article continues below advertisement

"I thought that coming into today I would know who my guy was, but I don’t," the beautiful Emily said. "I really have fallen in love with two different guys, and I have no idea what to do. I need an exceptional man who would be a great husband and a great guy."

The tiebreaker, so to say, was Emily's 7-year-old daughter Ricki, as Jef made it clear he understood his commitment would not only be to Emily.

Article continues below advertisement

"More than anything I want to be a good husband and a good father," said Jef, who hit it off great with the tot during a swimming day with she and her mom.

So well, in fact, that Emily knew right then and there who she was picking, and told the show's host Chris Harrison she didn't think a date with Arie could change anything.

"I have been so worried that I would get to the final day and still go back and forth between these two perfect guys, but this just did it for me, it pushed me over the edge and I know Jef is everything I have been looking for."

Article continues below advertisement

The only downside -- breaking the news to Arie: "I can’t even be happy because I just feel so bad," Emily said. "The hardest thing is saying the words to Arie."

Her words proved prophetic: Telling Arie she had already chosen Jef before they even had their final date hit the race car driver hard.

"I never thought I would have to make a choice between you and anybody, I always thought it was going to be you and me, honestly, and then, you know," Emily told Arie, who responded, "You don’t have to say anything else … I’m shocked, I completely felt we had something."

Article continues below advertisement

Emily said she had "more