| The Bachelor | |
|---|---|
| Season 25 | |
_season_25&sq=&lang=&file=File:The_Bachelor_S25_poster.jpeg) Promotional poster | |
| Starring | Matt James |
| Presented by | Chris Harrison Emmanuel Acho |
| No. of contestants | 37 |
| Winner | Rachael Kirkconnell |
| Runner-up | Michelle Young |
| No. of episodes | 12 |
| Release | |
| Original network | ABC |
| Original release | January 4 – March 15, 2021 |
| Additional information | |
| Filming dates | October 10 – November 21, 2020 |
| Season chronology | |
The twenty-fifth season of The Bachelor premiered on January 4, 2021. This season features 28-year-old Matt James, a real estate broker and charity founder from Raleigh, North Carolina.[1]
James was originally cast on the sixteenth season of The Bachelorette featuring Clare Crawley. However, after filming was delayed due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was instead selected to be The Bachelor. The entire season was filmed at Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania due to the pandemic, making this was the first and only season to film in a single location in The Bachelor. James is the first Black male lead in The Bachelor franchise.[2]
The season concluded on March 15, 2021, with James choosing to pursue a relationship with 24-year-old graphic designer Rachael Kirkconnell. However, during the After the Final Rose special, it was revealed that James had broken up with Kirkconnell after her racially insensitive past came to light.[3] On April 28, 2021, James confirmed that he and Kirkconnell were back together.[4]
This was the final Bachelor Nation season to feature Chris Harrison as the host.
- ^ Drysdale, Jennifer (June 12, 2020). "'The Bachelor' Casts First Black Male Lead for Season 25: Meet Matt James". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on January 5, 2021. Retrieved December 12, 2020.
- ^ Jacobs, Julia (June 12, 2020). "First Black 'Bachelor', Matt James, Cast by ABC". The New York Times. Archived from the original on December 13, 2020. Retrieved December 22, 2020.
- ^ Gawley, Paige (March 15, 2021). "Matt James Reveals He Broke Up With Rachael Kirkconnell After Racism Controversy". Entertainment Tonight. Archived from the original on March 16, 2021. Retrieved March 15, 2021.
- ^ Falcone, Dana Rose (April 28, 2021). "Matt James Says He's 'Pursuing' a Relationship with Ex Rachael Kirkconnell: I'm 'Focusing on It'". People. Archived from the original on April 28, 2021. Retrieved April 28, 2021.