![Will 'The Bachelor' Let Grant Ellis Find Black Love — Or Just Use Him for Diversity Clout [Op-Ed]](https://ionemadamenoire.staging.go.ione.nyc/wp-content/uploads/sites/9/2025/02/17392266965081.jpeg?quality=80&strip=all&w=1581&crop=0,0,100,960px)
The show's producers clearly made a conscious effort to be more inclusive, so will Ellis be the first Black bachelor to choose a Black woman?
On Monday, Jan. 27, Grant Ellis’ journey to find love begins, marking only the franchise’s second Black lead after more than two decades on the air.
James, the first Black Bachelor, said he felt '100 %' pressure to pick a Black woman as the winner.
During a recent interview, Rachel Lindsay, the first Black Bachelorette revealed that producers of the show intentionally cast Black men who don't date Black women.
After saying he was going to step away from Rachael Kirkconnell so she could do some antiracism work, Matt James, the first Black bachelor, confirmed that the two are seeing each other again.
During a recent appearance on "Bachelor Happy Hour," James told "Bachelorette" alum, Rachel Lindsey, that it was “low-key frustrating" that the race of the contestants is even a topic of discussion.
Matt James represents a historic first in terms of "The Bachelor" franchise as the first Black man in the position. So we can't help but wonder if he'll choose to marry a Black woman.
Twitter reacts to ABC announcing that they've casted Matt James as the first Black Bachelor after 40 seasons of the show.