Rumors And Spoilers About Matt James' Bachelor Season

Matt James's Bachelor season won't be with us for another few days — January 4 to be exact — which feels like an eternity. Tayshia Adams' Bachelorette just wrapped up in fittingly dramatic fashion and James' is sure to follow suit. Aside from being the first Black Bachelor, James is reportedly going to have his pick of over 30 women, with the cast representing the biggest diversity push in the franchise's history. James' season is making history in another, major way too. As Refinery 29 notes, he's a newcomer to reality TV. 

James is the first lead since season 13 not to be plucked from a previous Bachelorette season. "Matt has been on our radar since February, when producers first approached him to join Bachelor Nation, as part of Clare's season," ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke revealed (per the Hollywood Reporter). James described it as an "honor" to be the first Black lead, in an interview with Good Morning America. Clearly, his season is going to be a must-watch.

The season was reportedly filmed at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Pennsylvania, where a two-on-one date during JoJo Fletcher's season also took place, according to Us Weekly. Filming began in late September and wrapped in November (again per Us). Host Chris Harrison confirmed to the publication that filming in the same, COVID-appropriate style bubble as The Bachelorette was working out "perfectly." 

James may be a newbie when it comes to reality TV, but Harrison described him as "absolutely awesome," teasing, "I can't wait for people to see his season of The Bachelor." The Bachelor host also acknowledged that there was a learning curve, telling Us, "The show strips you down. It takes you on this emotional ride that most people don't understand until you're a part of it." As for the first episode, ABC Entertainment executive Rob Mills told Variety, "the women were so fantastic. It couldn't have gone better."

According to super-sleuth Reality Steve, James' very recent ex, Madison Nelson, is a surprise contestant. The two dated for a few months when his buddy, Tyler Cameron, was with Gigi Hadid. Allegedly, after the second rose ceremony, five more contestants will be added to the lineup. Complicating matters further, Heather Martin, BFF of Hannah Brown also shows up. Per Steve, "it's somewhere after filming is already started, and she's literally there only a few hours as Matt sends her home the same day she arrives." Martin may even be part of the surprise group. 

According to Page Six, Cynthia Rowley's daughter, Kit Keenan, is also competing for James' heart. Reality Steve confirmed the first impression rose goes to 25-year-old Massachusetts native Abigail. On the opposite end of the spectrum, Bach Detective advised the early eliminations include Carolyn, Casandra, Corrinne, and Emani. Evidently, the season is bursting with drama and it hasn't even started yet.