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When contestants join The Bachelor, they might be looking for love or hoping they are chosen as the next lead on The Bachelorette. Season 25 with lead Matt James began on Jan. 4, 2021, and fans already have data that points to who the producers might choose as the next Bachelorette lead.

'The Bachelor' lead Matt James and his 32 contestants
‘The Bachelor’ lead Matt James and his 32 contestants | Craig Sjodin via Getty Images

‘The Bachelor’ Week 2: Matt James picked Bri Springs for the first one-on-one date

On Jan. 11, 2021, James took Bri Springs on his first one-on-one date on The Bachelor. The two rode all-terrain-vehicles through the beautiful outdoors surrounding the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in western Pennsylvania. When they got on the same vehicle, they ended up flipping the ATV over and rolling in the mud.

After an adventurous outing, James carried his muddy date over to a steaming wood-fired hot tub. They undressed, got in, and relaxed with bubbling glasses full of champagne. 

“I feel like our near-death experience really brought us closer together,” James told Bri.

Later that evening, Bri opened up to James over dinner about her insecurities about her mother having another child. She and James were both raised by single moms, and both always gravitated toward friends with large families. He gave her a rose at the end of the evening and a lengthy makeout session. Then the couple watched a beautiful firework display together, while the other women complained back at the resort.

‘The Bachelor’ fans point out that half the women chosen for the first date become ‘The Bachelorette’

Fans on Reddit pointed out data that shows half of the women who went on the first date on The Bachelor later became The Bachelorette lead. 

Bachelor Data’s new post about the first date recipient is pretty cool,” one fan wrote on Reddit. “Ashley, Clare, Caila, Hannah B, and Becca all got the first one-on-one, and they were all Bachelorettes besides Caila, who technically was supposed to be until they changed their minds to JoJo.”

Other fans agreed that the audience quickly gets attached to the woman who goes on the first date, making sense that they become the next lead.

“Jillian and Ali got the first dates, too!” the Redditor continued. “Kind of crazy how many of them became Bachelorettes, out of the last 12 seasons, 6 of the first one-on-one recipients became Bachelorettes! That’s literally 50%.”

One fan pointed out that the first one-on-one date typically goes to someone that the producers believe will make it far but not win. In half of the seasons, the first date contestant became the leading lady on the spinoff series. So, fans believe that Bri Springs could become the next Bachelorette lead.

It’s not likely that Bri Springs wins the season with Matt James

In the past 12 seasons of The Bachelor, the person who received the first one-on-one date only won the final rose one time, but went on to become The Bachelorette six times. Arie Luyendyk Jr. gave Becca Kufrin his final rose; however, he later broke up with her while the season was airing. Other than that instance, no other first date contestant won the season. 

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‘The Bachelor’: Was Matt James’ Ex-Girlfriend Hoping for a Second Chance By Coming on the Show or Will She Bring More Drama?

So, fans think that Bri doesn’t have a chance at winning Matt James’ heart, but she is at the top of the list to have her own set of eligible bachelors to choose from.