Who Is Matt James? The New Bachelor Is Tyler Cameron's BFF

Welcome to Bachelor Nation, Matt James! Some fans may recognize him as Tyler Cameron’s BFF and New York City roommate, but after initially being announced as a contestant vying for Clare Crawley‘s heart, he is now leading his own season as the Bachelor.

“We know we have a responsibility to make sure the love stories we’re seeing onscreen are representative of the world we live in, and we are proudly in service to our audience,” ABC said in a statement on June 12. “This is just the beginning, and we will continue to take action with regard to diversity issues on this franchise. We feel so privileged to have Matt as our first Black Bachelor and we cannot wait to embark on this journey with him.”

Bachelor Matt James Shirtless Sitting on a Car — Courtesy Matt James/Instagram

This meant Matt did not appear during season 16, but he said he’s “looking forward” to meeting Clare “eventually.” As far as his new leading role, the North Carolina native called it “an honor.”

Matt taking the reins of season 25 will make him the first Black Bachelor in franchise history after a combined 40 seasons. Rachel Lindsay, who was the first Black Bachelorette during season 13, has been vocal about changes that need to be made.

“At this point, it’s embarrassing to be affiliated with it,” the lawyer previously said about the reality dating franchise during an interview with AfterBuzzTV on June 5. “I think that they have to at this point, give us a Black Bachelor for season 25. You have to, I don’t know how you don’t. And, it’s been asked of me, will I continue in this franchise if it continues in this way? I can’t. I have to see some type of change.”

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Matt agreed with the Dallas native’s stance. “When Rachel speaks, we listen. She’s got a very important voice being the first Black woman, person of color, to have a lead,” he expressed on Good Morning America after the big announcement. “So, I think we’re all following suit in that conversation and this is hopefully the first — this is the first of many Black men to be in the position I’m in now.”

It seems as though the rest of the franchise is on board. “[The Bachelor] family is thrilled to start this journey with our new Bachelor! We can and we will do better to portray diverse love stories that reflect the world around us,” Chris Harrison wrote on Instagram to congratulate Matt. “This is just the beginning.”

Keep scrolling to learn more about Matt James!

He’s Proud to Be the First Black Bachelor

“I don’t think it’s ever the wrong time to do the right thing,” he said on Good Morning America. “We can’t have change until you put that first foot forward and that first foot forward for the Bachelor franchise is having a Black lead, so [I’m] excited to take on that role.”
He added, “I’m just going to lean into myself and how my mom raised me. Hopefully, when people invite me into their homes on Monday night, they’ll see I’m not much different than them and see diverse love stories are beautiful.”

He’s (Sort Of) a Member of Bachelor Nation

Besides being pals with the Florida native, Matt is already well acclimated in the reality franchise community. Despite previously shading former Bachelorette Hannah Brown, Matt became extremely close with the Tuscaloosa native while they quarantined together at Tyler’s house in Florida amid the coronavirus pandemic. The Alabama beauty stayed with her ex and a slew of his friends for more than two weeks before driving to her parents’ house in Alabama.
Matt exclusively told Life & Style that he’s “sure” their quarantine crew will reunite one day. “We will all connect again, eventually,” he dished.

Loves His Mom

Matt said on GMA he’s “looking for qualities” that his “mom embodies” in a future wife, which includes someone who is “selfless, honest, caring [and] compassionate.” The former football player added, “Those are qualities found in women all shape, sizes and races, and it’s not a Black or white thing. So, I’m hoping that when that limo pulls up there is a lot of diversity, and I see every type of woman coming out of that limo.”