The Bachelor: Arie says he filmed Becca breakup so she could be the Bachelorette

The Bachelor breakup heard — and watched! — around the world is still facing some serious backlash, but during his appearance on Good Morning America Wednesday, Arie Luyendyk Jr. continued to insist the allowing the cameras to roll as he broke off his engagement from Becca Kufrin was for her benefit.

“I really wanted everyone to know that this was on me,” he told Michael Strahan. “This was my fault, and I felt like filming that would let people know that, that if there were any questions on the breakup, that those would be squashed if they saw the breakup.”

But there was one other big reason.

“And I wanted her that opportunity, honestly, I wanted her that opportunity to be the potential Bachelorette,” he added.

Of course, that came to pass during Tuesday night’s After the Final Rose: Becca was announced as the new Bachelorette, and she was able to meet her first five suitors right then and there.

“I hope I gave her that closure. I’m very happy for her. I’m happy that she’s going to be able to find her true love through the show,” Arie said on GMA.

In the meantime, his happiness is all about his new fiancée, Lauren Burnham: “This ending obviously wasn’t perfect, and I know it’s difficult for a lot of people to swallow, but I’m happy, and it took a long, hard road to get here and I’m really solid in my relationship. We’ve been together since January and it’s going really well.”