The Bachelor Just Announced Matt James Will Be the First Black Lead in 24 Seasons

Matt James is ready for his shot at love!

As if this upcoming season of The Bachelor starring Matt James, the first Black male lead in franchise history, didn’t already have an enormous amount of pressure about it!

The Bachelor will make (long overdue) history with its first Black male lead, . The was made on June 12 on Good Morning America after years of fans calling for more diversity , and amid protests across America for racial justice. When asked if it was “too little, too late," James said, "I don’t think it’s ever the wrong time to do the right thing.

honestly can't get here soon enough, but fans got a taste of what's to come during Monday night's , when Matt showed up for an interview with his best friend Tyler Cameron. "I've heard from a lot of my Black friends that aren't Bachelor Nation faithful that are excited about me and honored that I'm in the position I'm in," Matt told Chris Harrison.

If there’s anyone ready for Matt James to find love on “The Bachelor”, it’s his mom, Patty. During his appearance on Monday night’s episode of “The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever!” James joked that his mom started a “grandkid counter” as soon as he was announced as “The Bachelor” on June 12.

Matt James‘ journey as the Bachelor won’t begin for at least a few months, but his mother is already planning for the future.“I think that the grandkid counter for my mom started when that announcement was made,” James, 28, told Chris Harrison via video-chat on the Monday, June 29, episode of The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons — Ever.

Matt James knows he's breaking new ground as thefirst Black Bachelor. The 28-year-old popped in during Monday's episode of to share a little about how life has changed since he was announced as the Bachelor franchise's first Black male lead earlier this month. As James told Chris Harrison, the support he's gotten from his Black friends has been particularly important.

Matt James to find love on, it's his mom, Patty. During his appearance on Monday night's episode of James joked that his mom started a «grandkid counter» as soon as he was announced as on June 12.    «How many does she want?» James' friend, alum Tyler Cameron, asked. «She wants a basketball team!» the 28-year-old replied. James and Cameron have been friends for years, after meeting as freshmen at Wake Forest University.

Matt James, the newly named Bachelor, is looking hot hot hot!

After 24 seasons Matt James will become the first Black “Bachelor” in franchise history.

Our podcast cohost is not into Matt James being chosen as “The Bachelor”! Perez is into it! U? This and much more on our latest show! Listen to The Perez Hilton Podcast with Chris Booker on Spotify or Apple Podcasts or directly at http://PerezPodcast.com

Corinne Olympios, the ex-Bachelor contestant, is thrilled to see Matt James as the new Bachelor on the popular reality television series, but she thinks that it was a long time coming. This past week, the 28-year-old reality star was named as the first black lead on the show after weeks of fan-created petitions demanding ABC to cast a black lead.

Rachel Lindsay simply isn’t going to let ABC get away with doing the bare minimum when it comes to fostering diversity on The Bachelor.

Matt James’ peers have “nothing but nice things to say about” the new Bachelor, a source reveals exclusively in the new issue of Us Weekly.“He’s such a good guy,” the source tells Us, noting he was well-known at Wake Forest University, where he played football from 2011 to 2014. “Everyone knew who Matt was at Wake.

Rachel Lindsay is pointing out a downside to Matt James' casting as the next Bachelor. The 35-year-old former Bachelorette appeared on on Wednesday and revealed that, though she's «excited that there's a black Bachelor,» she «hated the timing» of his casting.«It does seem like a reaction to what's happening in our country.

Rachel Lindsay spoke about Matt James being named the first Black Bachelor on Wednesday’s “Watch What Happens Live”.

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Former "Bachelor in Paradise" star DeMario Jackson has a warning for Matt James, who was recently announced as the ABC show's first black male lead. Jackson, who was previously accused of sexual assault following an incident that occurred with former co-star Corrine Olympios on "Bachelor in Paradise," said he believes James will face heavy scrutiny for his dating choices when the show airs next year.