Matt James on the Pressure He Felt as the First Black 'Bachelor' (Exclusive)

, Netflix’s hit Regency drama adapted from Julia Quinn’s popular novels about 1800s London society by Shonda Rhimes collaborator Chris Van Dusen, English actor Jonathan Bailey is easily one of the biggest breakout stars.

Liam Neeson may soon be retiring his very particular set of skills. Following 2008's, the actor experienced a career renaissance playing variations of the hardened hero seeking justice his own way, from to to this year's.

We’re only two weeks into Matt James’ season of “The Bachelor”, but it’s safe to say  Bachelor Nation is already loving the season 25 lead.

Matt James is getting candid about his past and insecurities on. The 29-year-old emotionally opened up about his absent father on Monday's episode of the ABC dating show, but as he recently told ET's Lauren Zima, there's more vulnerability ahead.

Bachelor season filming, you ask? Well, if you ask me, it looks like a set from The Crown. On January 4, we watched looking for love pull up in limos to what only could be described as a sprawling, regal estate in the beautiful countryside of…well, Pennsylvania.

Tim Allen‘s return to a past character was not what he expected. ET’s Lauren Zima spoke with Allen and his “Last Man Standing” co-star, Nancy Travis, ahead of the ninth and final season premiere of their Fox sitcom.

Matt James couldn't have been happier with the women of his season of.

Matt James made history on Monday during his premiere episode as the first Black lead on ABC’s "The Bachelor." Ahead of his debut, James sat down for an interview with People in which he discussed his ultimate goal as a role model for the Black community on the show.  "I’m hoping that being in this position paves the way for people like me to be in this and it be normalized," he said.

Bachelor, Matt James was feeling anxious, nervous and… maybe some good vibrations? Among the season premiere's unique limo exits was a woman who brought along a «special» sex toy, which kept making appearances throughout the night. «You get in there in that room and you see these beautiful women all dressed up and it's like, I'm at a loss for words,» Matt told ET's Lauren Zima on Monday of why he was so nervous.

On his first night as the Bachelor, Matt James was feeling anxious, nervous and… maybe some good vibrations? Among the season premiere‘s unique limo exits was a woman who brought along a “special” sex toy, which kept making appearances throughout the night.

Haley Kluge editorSPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched “The Bachelor” Season 25 premiere.“The Bachelor” answered a call to action to diversify the franchise when they cast Matt James as the Season 25 lead. Now, his season has turned into one of firsts.Not only is Matt the first Black bachelor, but also the first in recent years to be plucked from normalcy rather than after being a rejected contestant.

Spreading the love! Matt James cozied up to his best friend Tyler Cameron and mom, Patty James, to watch The Bachelor premiere on Monday, January 4.

Matt James' faith is a big part of his life and will be a big part of his time on The 29-year-old kicked off his season of the ABC dating show on Monday night with a prayer. «I've had so long to think about what I'm going to say to you all, and I'm going to take a different approach,» he told the women, before asking them to bow their heads and delivering a prayer that had several women tearing up. As Matt explained to ET's Lauren Zima,prayer has been a source of comfort to him when he's feeling

Elizabeth Wagmeister Senior CorrespondentMatt James is the first Black lead of “The Bachelor.”After nearly two decades on-air and 25 seasons of the flagship show, ABC’s hit dating series is hitting a milestone — and its star knows it’s a big deal.“I felt that pressure — I’m not going to lie — initially,” James tells Variety about holding the title of the first Black Bachelor.James is biracial, but identifies as Black.

without some deranged twists—and it looks like someone in the casting department managed to unearth Matt's ex-girlfriend and convince her to come on the show. Normal stuff! So, who is she? Meet Madison Nelson, who dated Matt for a few magical months* in summer 2019.

Hannah Brown and Tyler Cameron are just friends for now, but that hasn't stopped fans from wishing they'd get back together. In an interview with ET's Lauren Zima on Monday, Matt James opened up about how the pair prepared him for his upcoming season of — and reacted to the possibility of Hannah and Tyler being a couple again. «You gotta ask them about that!» Matt said.

Bachelor Matt James admits in a promo for his season that he's never been in love before. But as he told ET's Lauren Zima on Monday, he actually did find it on the show. (Whether he's in love now is something fans will have to tune in for.)«Love to me looked different before I got to Nemacolin [where the show filmed] because of what I experienced up to that point,» Matt said.