The Bachelor season 29’s lead, Grant Ellis, was recently announced to the public, but after a problematic season for the first black Bachelor, Matt James, will production do better for Grant? After a sweet appearance on The Bachelorette season 21 where he did his best to win Jenn Tran’s heart, Grant was named the next Bachelor lead after his elimination episode aired. While Grant is an interesting choice for The Bachelor, he has what it takes to be a consummate lead. Sweet, vulnerable, and ready to settle down with the woman he loves, Grant could do well as the lead.
Grant, who made it nearly to the end of Jenn’s season of The Bachelorette, was one of the front-runners to win the season, but it was clear he and Jenne weren’t on the same page by the end of his journey. Grant, a 30-year-old day trader and former professional basketball player, was hopeful that he would be able to settle into a life with Jenn, but her connections with others were simply too strong to ignore. Now, with his journey as The Bachelor beginning, Bachelor Nation is wondering if he’ll be treated better than the first black Bachelor, Matt James.
Matt James Was Named The First Black Lead In Season 25
He Took On The Historic Role
After nearly 20 years of The Bachelor, the franchise chose its first black lead in Matt, who had almost previously appeared on The Bachelorette season 16. While Matt hadn’t appeared on The Bachelorette due to COVID-19, he was someone that Bachelor Nation quickly gravitated towards during the pre-season process. With such popularity surrounding him, Bachelor producers gave Matt The Bachelor despite not having seen him in a previous season, which was rare for the franchise. Matt’s time as the lead was complicated in the same way most Bachelor seasons are, but the result of his season had Bachelor Nation shaken.
Matt’s Season Was Poorly Received Due To His Winner, Rachael Kirkconnell
Racially Insensitive Photos Of Rachael Resurfaced After The Season
At the end of The Bachelor season 25, Matt chose Rachael Kirkconnell over Michelle Young, but the pair didn’t get engaged during the season finale. While Bachelor Nation fans enjoyed the pair together, during The Bachelor: After The Final Rose it was revealed that the couple had already split up due to some racially insensitive photos and information that Matt had learned about Rachael between the show’s filming and its airing. Matt and Rachael’s complicated relationship continued after The Bachelor, but the fact that she was a contestant on the season at all made Bachelor producers look incompetent at casting.
Can The Bachelor Do Better For Grant’s Season?
They Need To Pay Attention To Their Casting
After Grant was named the lead of The Bachelor season 29, Bachelor Nation began to wonder if the producers behind the scenes would be able to do better for Grant than they did for Matt. While Matt is still in a successful relationship, the trauma and pain of Rachael’s racially insensitive past was difficult for him to deal with, especially in the public eye. With Grant becoming the second black lead, The Bachelor needs to do better in genuinely investigating the women they cast for Grant. While it’s possible The Bachelor could blunder again, they should treat Grant with care.
