Rumors Say This Past Contestant Will Be On Matt James' Season Of The Bachelor

Matt James will be the first Bachelor in 13 years to have not previously appeared as a contestant on the Bachelorette. Starting January 4, 2021, James will serve as the show's 25th Bachelor, and will make series history as the first Black Bachelor. But if he didn't get his foot in the door as a contestant on The Bachelorette, how did this unfamiliar face become a leading man? According to Marie Claire, James had originally been cast to appear on Clare Crawley's season of The Bachelorette, but ABC had other plans for him; indeed, it was allegedly love at first sight when the network met him, and they instantly knew he would be the show's new Bachelor.

However, not every face in the 25th season will be a new one to learn. Spoilers expert Reality Steve tweeted a teaser that someone from a previous season would be making an appearance for a chance to win James' heart. He wrote, "What girl from a past season shows up as a contestant on Matt's season? I'll tell you in tomorrow's column. Hint: She's from within the last 3 Bachelor seasons, so, Peter, Colton, or Arie's season." Any guesses?

According to Steve, the mystery woman is Heather Martin from season 23 of the Bachelor. She is perhaps best known as the "never been kissed" girl, admitting that her on-screen kiss with Colton Underwood was her first ever. Well, she didn't win the season; in fact, she removed herself from it completely (which, oddly enough, happened on three separate occasions during Underwood's season). Martin made it all the way to the final six before deciding to go home, with hometown visits on the horizon. She had decided at the time that she simply wasn't ready for Underwood to meet her family (via Insider).

While Martin didn't leave that season with a fiancé, she did make a best friend. Before she was winning Dancing with the Stars, Hannah Brown was on the same season as Martin, and was even eliminated the same week that Martin removed herself. It's been nearly two years since this season, and Martin and Brown still remain close friends. Sources say that Brown has since become close with new Bachelor Matt James (via Heavy).

We can't wait to witness all of the drama and will secretly be rooting for Martin and James to hit it off!