"The Bachelor" star Arie Luyendyk Jr. has apologized to "women struggling from infertility" after what fans are calling an inappropriate joke on April Fools' Day.
After a joke on Sunday involving a fake pregnancy, Luyendyk tweeted today, "I do have sympathy for women struggling from infertility. My April Fools prank was in no way meant to offend women who struggle with that. I apologize if you were effected [sic] personally by my post."
I do have sympathy for women struggling from infertility. My April Fools prank was in no way meant to offend women who struggle with that. I apologize if you were effected personally by my post.
— Arie Luyendyk Jr. (@ariejr) April 2, 2018
The post the reality star was apologizing for was when he tagged his now-fiancee, Lauren Burnham, and wrote Sunday, "Secrets finally out, we have a bunny in the oven!"
Read: 'The Bachelor' finale: Arie Luyendyk Jr. breaks off engagement in shocking twist Related: Becca Kufrin is the next BacheloretteThe picture also had a woman holding her belly, alluding to the alleged fact that she was expecting the couple's first child.
Secrets finally out, we have a bunny in the oven! @laurenburnham91 pic.twitter.com/Mmx50ePDaB
— Arie Luyendyk Jr. (@ariejr) April 1, 2018
Two hours later, Luyendyk added, "APRIL FOOLS!"
APRIL FOOLS!
— Arie Luyendyk Jr. (@ariejr) April 1, 2018
Fans of Bachelor Nation and beyond were not happy with the joke, while others on social media took the joke more seriously, citing problems couples have had trying to conceive and how it's nothing to poke fun at.
"We knew you were lying... just like you lied to Becca about being in love with her," one fan wrote. The fan's comment was referring to previous backlash he faced last month during "The Bachelor" finale, where Luyendyk proposed to Kufrin to end the season, only to break it off with her weeks later to give it another shot with the runner-up Burnham. He then proposed live on "After the Final Rose," and the two have been together ever since.
We knew you were lying... just like you lied to Becca about being in love with her ??????
— Ryan Newquist (@RyanNewquist) April 1, 2018
Others called the joke "distasteful," slamming the star for joking about pregnancy.
"You thought the world was against you before. You just poured gas on that fire. Hopefully you two don’t have to struggle with this issues so many women face each day," One woman wrote in the Twitter chain.
Another online user added, "This is wrong you should be ashamed do you think before you post" and yet another, "How dare you. Pregnancy is not a joke!!"
Luyendyk also posted an apology to his Instagram story, writing, "Sorry if you were offended but we really are making a Dutch Baby" next to a picture of a food recipe.
