Fans Are Thrilled That Matt James Will Be the First Black 'Bachelor'

"Matt James being named the next Bachelor is a game changer."

Matt James
(Image credit: ABC)
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The surprise announcement that Matt James will be ABC's next Bachelor—the first Black male lead in a show that has seen 40 franchise seasons in almost 20 years and just one previous Black lead (Rachel Lindsay)—has been met with surprise and delight by fans. Surprise, delight, and a touch of confusion, considering that Matt James is a newbie to the franchise, and usually the Bachelor has appeared on previous seasons (and is typically a fan favorite). But fans and cast members alike, many of whom recognize James as a member of Tyler Cameron and Hannah Brown's "Quarantine Crew," are thrilled about the news. Here's how people are reacting (spoiler: Tyler Cameron is pumped).

People Are Sad It Took This Long for a Black Bachelor

The Salmon Jacket Made a Return

Clare's Season Is Going to Be...Interesting

Fans Are Excited About the Fresh Face

People Are Hoping It'll Also Be Size Inclusive

And Yes, Clare's Season Will Still Air

Remember This Cameo Matt Made?

Tyler Cameron Is Very Excited

Tyler Cameron's Instagram post

(Image credit: Tyler Cameron / Instagram)

Tyler Cameron's Instagram post

(Image credit: Tyler Cameron / Instagram)

...But Tyler Is Now Just "A Friend" of Matt's

Hannah Brown Was Also Pumped

Hannah Brown's Instagram post

(Image credit: Hannah Brown / Instagram)

Hannah Brown's Instagram post

(Image credit: Hannah Brown / Instagram)

Hannah Brown's Instagram post

(Image credit: Hannah Brown / Instagram)
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Jenny Hollander
Jenny Hollander
Digital Director

Jenny is the Digital Director at Marie Claire. A graduate of Leeds University, and a native of London, she moved to New York in 2012 to attend the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism. She was the first intern at Bustle when it launched in 2013 and spent five years building out its news and politics department. In 2018 she joined Marie Claire, where she held the roles of Deputy Digital Editor and Director of Content Strategy before becoming Digital Director. Working closely with Marie Claire's exceptional editorial, audience, commercial, and e-commerce teams, Jenny oversees the brand's digital arm, with an emphasis on driving readership. When she isn't editing or knee-deep in Google Analytics, you can find Jenny writing about television, celebrities, her lifelong hate of umbrellas, or (most likely) her dog, Captain. In her spare time, she writes fiction: her first novel, the thriller EVERYONE WHO CAN FORGIVE ME IS DEAD, was published with Minotaur Books (UK) and Little, Brown (US) in February 2024 and became a USA Today bestseller. She has also written extensively about developmental coordination disorder, or dyspraxia, which she was diagnosed with when she was nine.