James was originally cast to be a contestant for season 16 of The Bachelorette, starring Clare Crawley, but after filming was delayed due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was instead selected to be the next Bachelor for season 25 of The Bachelor. Matt's casting is also historic, as he's the franchise's first Black Bachelor after a whopping 25 seasons. Heather is from Colton Underwood’s season of The Bachelor… Among his contestants are a 21-year-old socialite and a woman who identifies as a "queen." ‘The Bachelor’ 2021 Cast: Meet Matt James’ 32 Contestants Right Here! References His season premieres on Monday, January 4. By Greta Heggeness | Dec. 14, 2020. In honor of Matt James’s season of The Bachelor, ABC released a first glimpse of the 32 contestants who will vie for his heart (and final rose). Visit Insider's homepage for more stories. Matt James, a 28-year-old real estate broker, entrepreneur and community organization founder, greets contestants on night one of “The Bachelor.” (Craig Sjodin/ABC) By Lisa Bonos and ORIGINAL STORY: January 4, 2021—The Bachelor contestants for Matt James's season are all iconic. As fans are slowly getting to know the contestants on Matt James' Bachelor season, there are a few who are starting to emerge as early frontrunners. I already know this from the bios ABC dropped in late 2020… Matt James' Best Looks From Season 25 of 'The Bachelor' Heather Martin is friends with Hannah Brown: While it’s unclear exactly how Matt, 29, and … James is the first black Bachelor in franchise history, and while it was intended and announced as the second African-American lead (after Rachel Lindsay of The Bachelorette 13), the sudden introduction of Tayshia Adams as a co-lead on The Bachelorette 16, … Filming and development Casting and contestants. Watch 'The Bachelor' $5.99+ buy it Matt James will become the first-ever Black star of “The Bachelor” when his season debuts in the new year, and more than one month ahead of the premiere, ABC is … With The Bachelorette Season 16 officially behind us, fans across the nation are looking forward to The Matt, a 29-year-old real estate agent from Raleigh, North Carolina, was announced as the season 25 Bachelor in June 2020. He is the first Black Bachelor lead in the show's history. In a January 4 clip, The Bachelor teased the shock arrival of season 23 contestant Heather Martin on Matt James' season. Matt spilled some of the details himself, actually. On June 12, 2020, James was announced as the next Bachelor on Good Morning America. Meet the 32 Contestants Who Will Vie for Matt James’s Heart on ‘The Bachelor’ Season 25. The season premiere of The Bachelor's new season with Matt James is premiering tonight and we … Matt James, 28, is our 25th lead of "The Bachelor," and the first Black lead in the show's history.