‘The Bachelor’: Matt James Says He Didn’t Date Before the Show Because He Was Broke
Stars of The Bachelor have failed to find love before the show for different reasons. Matt James opened up about his life before the season and why he didn’t date much.
Matt James skipped ‘The Bachelorette’
James was originally cast for Clare Crawley’s season of The Bachelorette. However, he was one of the most popular cast members because he’s good friends with former runner-up Tyler Cameron.
There were also calls for more diversity on The Bachelor in the summer. It was then announced James would no longer be a cast member, but the star of season 25.
“My first reaction was ‘Does this mean I don’t get to meet Clare?’ Because I was looking forward to meeting her,” James told Good Morning America. He was then asked if his casting meant the franchise was ready for change.
“Well, I think it’s a step in the right direction,” he said. “When Rachel [Lindsay] speaks, we listen. She has a very important voice in all this being the first Black woman, person of color to have a lead. So I think we’re all following suit in that conversation and this is hopefully the first of many Black men to be in the position that I’m at now.”
He didn’t date before ‘The Bachelor’
The stars of The Bachelor get lucky because they can take multiple women on extravagant dates without picking up the bill. James revealed that he wasn’t really dating before he was cast.
“My dating history in New York [was] slim to none because I was broke. Like, I didn’t have any money, so I couldn’t take anybody out on a date,” he said on the Bachelor Happy Hour podcast. “New York is expensive, so just by default, I wasn’t doing a lot of dating.”
James was noticed before the season for his work with ABC Food Tours. He admitted to being focused on that instead of having a love life.
James said he’s never been in love before
The real estate broker revealed in his premiere episode that he’s new to love. “Any time it gets to that point where you need to take the next step I’ve kind of fallen back just because I’ve seen everything that’s happened with you and dad,” James told his mom.
He also admitted it’s been a long time since he’s been vulnerable with anyone. James then said his biggest fear is getting his heart broken. His mother told him that gave her hope because that means he thinks he could find love. Time will tell if the show will change his love life for the better.
