Meet The Bachelor 2021 cast of women vying for Matt James' heart! Season 12's Matt Grant was the last man to be cast as Bachelor from outside the franchise, back in 2008. He is the first black Bachelor lead in the show's history. In the promo, Matt James admits to host Chris Harrison that he's never been in love. 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. Rachael and Matt James ABC/Craig Sjodin After the season 25 premiere of The Bachelor in January, a TikTok user accused Rachael of bullying her in the past for dating Black men. References Matt James, the first black “Bachelor” in franchise history, will begin his journey to find love on Monday, Jan. 4, following “Bachelorette” Tayshia Adams’ on-air engagement to to Zac Clark. Matt James’ Bachelor 2021 contestants were announced on The Bachelor‘s official Facebook page on Tuesday, October 6—and there are some familiar faces. Matt isn’t entirely a stranger to the Bachelor nation fans. The Bachelor season 25 cast is here. Matt James, the now 28-year-old New Yorker is all set to feature as the new Bachelor this season of the show. And lemme tell you right now, this group of women is wildly impressive. Season 25 of The Bachelor began on Monday, January 4th, with newcomer Matt James starring in the lead role. We’re less than a month away from the premiere of Matt James’ historic 25th season of "The Bachelor" — and if the trailers are any indication, things are about to get very dra-Matt-ic.. So, until we get to know him on our TV screens, here's what to know about James. The Bachelor is premiering in 3, 2, 1 (January 4, to be exact) and we finally get to meet Matt James’ contestants! Meet the 15 women still trying to woo Matt James, the franchise's first Black male lead, in Season 25 of "The Bachelor." 851.3k Followers, 330 Following, 178 Posts - See Instagram photos and videos from Matt James (@mattjames919) Season 25 starts on Monday, January 4 on ABC. The Bachelor 2021 cast Matt James. James was originally a part of Clare Crawley’s Bachelorette cast… Why ‘Bachelor’ Matt James is under ‘pressure’ to pick a black woman ‘The Bachelor’ week 4 recap: Slut-shaming is no way to win Matt’s heart Matt James is breaking hearts.