Matt James (television personality)

Last updated

Matt James
Matt James (51914462301) (cropped) (cropped).jpg
Born
Matthew James

(1991-12-05) December 5, 1991 (age 33)
Alma mater Wake Forest University
(BA)
Occupation(s)Real estate broker, entrepreneur, community organization founder
American football career
No. 15, 87
Position: Wide receiver
Personal information
Born: (1991-12-05) December 5, 1991 (age 33)
Height:6 ft 5 in (1.96 m)
Weight:211 lb (96 kg)
Career information
High school: Sanderson
(Raleigh, North Carolina)
College: Wake Forest (2010–2014)
Undrafted: 2015
Career history
 * Offseason and/or practice squad member only

Matthew James (born December 5, 1991) [1] is an American television personality, businessman, and former NCAA football player. James is best known for being the first male African-American lead for The Bachelor in season 25. [2]

Contents

Early life and education

James was raised in Raleigh, North Carolina, the son of Manny and Patty James. Growing up, James was raised by his mother. [3] He is biracial, having a Black Nigerian father and White American mother. James identifies as black. [4] He graduated from Sanderson High School in 2010 before going to Wake Forest University. [1] [5] James obtained his Bachelor's degree in Economics from Wake Forest University in 2015 where he was also a wide receiver for Wake Forest Demon Deacons football team from 2011 to 2014. [6] [7]

Professional football

Pre-draft measurables
HeightWeightArm lengthHand span 40-yard dash 10-yard split20-yard split 20-yard shuttle Three-cone drill Vertical jump Broad jump Bench press
6 ft 4+5⁄8 in
(1.95 m)		211 lb
(96 kg)		33+3⁄4 in
(0.86 m)		9+3⁄8 in
(0.24 m)		4.57 s1.58 s2.64 s4.44 s6.71 s36.0 in
(0.91 m)		10 ft 8 in
(3.25 m)		16 reps
All values from Pro Day [8] [9]

He had mini-camp tryouts with the Carolina Panthers and New Orleans Saints of the National Football League in May and June 2015, but was not signed by either team. [10] [11] [12]

Career

Before moving to New York City, James worked at PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. He works for CBRE Group, Inc., a commercial real estate company in New York City. James is also the founder of ABC Food Tours, a non-profit organization that educates children in underserved communities about food and exercise in New York City. [13] [6] [7]

The Bachelor

James and The Bachelorette contestant Tyler Cameron, his friend and work colleague, played football at Wake Forest University together. [14] Cameron's mother nominated James to be a contestant on The Bachelorette before she died. [15] James was originally cast to be a contestant for season 16 of The Bachelorette, starring Clare Crawley, but after filming was delayed due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, he was instead selected to be the next Bachelor for season 25 of The Bachelor , becoming the first male African American lead in the franchise's history. [a] [16] He is the first Black Bachelor lead in the show's history. [17] The season concluded with James choosing to pursue a relationship with 24-year-old graphic designer Rachael Kirkconnell. [18]

Dancing with the Stars

In September 2021, James was announced as one of the celebrities competing on season 30 of Dancing with the Stars . He was partnered with Lindsay Arnold. They were eliminated on week 4, finishing in 12th place. [19]

Personal life

James was in a relationship with Rachael Kirkconnell, the woman he chose on The Bachelor for 4 years, before they ended their relationship in January 2025. [20] [21] James is also a marathon runner and participated in the 2022 and 2023 New York City Marathon. [22] [23]

Shalane Flanagan and Matt James at mile 24 of the 2023 New York City Marathon Shalane Flanagan and Matt James at Mile 24 of the 2023 New York City Marathon.jpg
Shalane Flanagan and Matt James at mile 24 of the 2023 New York City Marathon

Notes

  1. ↑ Although James was initially to be the second African American lead, the first was Rachel Lindsay in The Bachelorette season 13 before the sudden introduction of Tayshia Adams in The Bachelorette season 16, which would be filmed less than two months later. James became the third lead in the franchise's history.

Related Research Articles

<i>The Bachelor</i> (American TV series) American reality television series on ABC

The Bachelor is an American dating and relationship reality television series that debuted on March 25, 2002, on ABC. For its first 25 seasons, the show was hosted by Chris Harrison. As the essence of the original The Bachelor franchise, its success resulted in several spin-offs including The Bachelorette, Bachelor Pad, Bachelor in Paradise, Bachelor in Paradise: After Paradise, The Bachelor Winter Games, The Bachelor Presents: Listen to Your Heart, The Bachelor: The Greatest Seasons – Ever!, The Golden Bachelor, and The Golden Bachelorette, as well as spawning many international editions of the shows.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Rachel Lindsay (television personality)</span> American media personality and attorney (born 1985)

Rachel Lynn Lindsay is an American media personality, attorney and podcaster. She is best known for her role as a contestant on the twenty-first season of ABC's The Bachelor and as the lead of its spinoff, The Bachelorette, in its thirteenth season. She was the first African-American lead in The Bachelor franchise. She was a correspondent for Extra from 2020 to 2023, and is a co-host of the Higher Learning podcast alongside Van Lathan on The Ringer platform. Lindsay was also a partial owner of the FCF Shoulda Been Stars Indoor Football Team.

<i>The Bachelorette</i> (American TV series) season 9 Season of US television series

The ninth season of The Bachelorette premiered on May 27, 2013. This season features 27-year-old Desiree Hartsock, a bridal stylist from Northglenn, Colorado. Hartsock finished in fourth place on season 17 of The Bachelor featuring Sean Lowe.

Andi Janette Dorfman is an American television personality. She was a contestant on the eighteenth season of The Bachelor, and the lead on tenth season of The Bachelorette. She became famous for walking out on bachelor Juan Pablo Galavis in the ninth episode of The Bachelor. She became the first former attorney to appear as The Bachelorette.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Colton Underwood</span> American television personality

Colton Scott Brown-Underwood is an American reality television personality and former professional football player. He played defensive end at Illinois State and was signed by the San Diego Chargers as an undrafted free agent in 2014, and was on the practice squads of the Oakland Raiders and Philadelphia Eagles. After being released by the Raiders, Underwood became a contestant on the 14th season of The Bachelorette, and was then announced as the lead of the 23rd season of The Bachelor. He is the first lead in Bachelor franchise history to come out as gay.

<i>The Bachelorette</i> (American TV series) season 12 12th season of US television series

The twelfth season of The Bachelorette premiered on ABC on May 23, 2016. This season featured 25-year-old Joelle "JoJo" Fletcher, a real estate developer from Dallas, Texas. Fletcher was the runner-up on season 20 of The Bachelor featuring Ben Higgins.

<i>The Bachelor</i> (American TV series) season 23 Season of television series

The twenty-third season of The Bachelor premiered on January 7, 2019. This season features 26-year-old Colton Underwood, a former professional football player and charity founder from Washington, Illinois.

<i>The Bachelorette</i> (American TV series) season 15 15th season of television series

The fifteenth season of The Bachelorette premiered on May 13, 2019. The season featured Hannah Brown, a 24-year-old interior designer from Northport, Alabama. Brown was crowned Miss Alabama USA 2018 and represented Alabama at Miss USA 2018.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hannah Brown</span> American television personality and former beauty pageant titleholder

Hannah Kelsey Brown is an American television personality, model, author and beauty pageant titleholder. Brown first gained recognition after placing in the top seven in season 23 of The Bachelor (2019). She subsequently starred as The Bachelorette in season 15 of The Bachelorette (2019). She competed on season 28 of Dancing with the Stars with Alan Bersten, and was declared the winner on November 25, 2019.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Peter Weber (television personality)</span> American reality television personality

Peter Christian Weber Jr. is an American television personality and an airline pilot. Weber placed third on season 15 of The Bachelorette, and was later cast as the star of season 24 of The Bachelor. Outside of his work on television, Weber works as a pilot for United Airlines.

Tyler Cameron is an American television personality, model and general contractor. Cameron received national attention as a contestant on season fifteen of The Bachelorette, starring Hannah Brown, in which Cameron was the season's runner-up. He works as a model with Soul Artist Management in New York City and Next Management Miami.

Tayshia Adams is an American television personality and television host. She received national recognition after appearing as a contestant on season 23 of The Bachelor and the sixth season of Bachelor in Paradise. On November 5, 2020, Adams replaced Clare Crawley as the Bachelorette on season 16 of The Bachelorette. Adams co-hosted The Bachelorette season 17 and 18.

<i>The Bachelor</i> (American TV series) season 25 Season of television series

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.

Rachael Kirkconnell is an American television personality, who is best known as the winner of season 25 of The Bachelor.

<i>The Bachelorette</i> (American TV series) season 17 Season of US reality television show

The seventeenth season of The Bachelorette premiered on June 7, 2021. The season featured 30-year-old Katie Thurston, a bank marketing manager from Lynnwood, Washington.

American reality television franchise The Bachelor has long been criticized for how it handles race. Industry journalists, academics, and critics have condemned the franchise for its lack of racial diversity, its portrayal of people of color, and its contestants' racist behaviors.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Michelle Young (television personality)</span> American television personality

Michelle Anne Young is an American television personality. She received national recognition as the runner-up on season 25 of The Bachelor, and as the star of season 18 of The Bachelorette.

<i>The Bachelor</i> (American TV series) season 26 Season of television series

The twenty-sixth season of The Bachelor premiered on January 3, 2022, with Jesse Palmer as host. This season featured 28-year-old Clayton Echard, a medical sales representative from Eureka, Missouri.

Clayton Ray Echard is an American television personality best known for his appearances as a contestant on season 18 of The Bachelorette, and as the star of season 26 of The Bachelor. He played college football for Missouri and spent training camp with the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL) in 2016.

<i>The Bachelorette</i> (American TV series) season 19 Season of television series

The nineteenth season of The Bachelorette premiered on July 11, 2022. This season features 26-year-old Rachel Recchia, a flight instructor from Clermont, Florida, and 31-year-old Gabby Windey, an ICU nurse from O'Fallon, Illinois.

References

  1. 1 2 "2014 Football Roster - Matt James". Wake Forest University Athletics. Archived from the original on February 7, 2021. Retrieved June 12, 2020. Son of Manny and Patty James ... Born Dec. 5, 1991
  2. ↑ Chuba, Kirsten (June 12, 2020). "ABC Casts Its First Black 'Bachelor'". The Hollywood Reporter . Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  3. ↑ Hanner, Carol L. (January 5, 2019). "A Taste of Success". Wake Forest Magazine. Retrieved June 18, 2020.
  4. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (January 5, 2021). "Matt James on Normalizing Conversations About Interracial Relationships and the Pressure of Being the First Black 'Bachelor'". Variety. Retrieved January 28, 2021.
  5. ↑ Cain, Brooke (June 12, 2020). "ABC's first Black 'Bachelor' is a Raleigh native and ex-Wake Forest football player". The News & Observer . Raleigh, North Carolina. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  6. 1 2 Chavez, Chris (June 12, 2020). "Former Wake Forest Wide Receiver Matt James Announced As Next 'Bachelor'". Sports Illustrated . Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  7. 1 2 Drysdale, Jennifer (June 12, 2020). "Who Is Matt James: 5 Things to Know About the First Black 'Bachelor'". Entertainment Tonight . Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  8. ↑ "2015 Draft Scout Matt James, Wake Forest NFL Draft Scout College Football Profile". draftscout.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  9. ↑ "Matt James 2015 NFL Draft Profile". insider.espn.com. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
  10. ↑ Strickland, Bryan (May 7, 2015). "Panthers ready for rookie minicamp". Panthers.com. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  11. ↑ Woodbery, Evan (June 17, 2015). "3 players in tryouts at New Orleans Saints minicamp". NOLA.com. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  12. ↑ Discher, Emma and Amie Just (June 12, 2020). "Did you know? New Bachelor Matt James once tried out for the New Orleans Saints". NOLA.com. Retrieved December 17, 2020.
  13. ↑ Bumbaca, Chris (June 12, 2020). "New 'Bachelor' Matt James played wide receiver for Wake Forest Deamon Deacons". USA Today . Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  14. ↑ Rodriguez, Bianca (June 12, 2020). "Tyler Cameron and Matt James Are Friendship Goals". Marie Claire . Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  15. ↑ Drysdale, Jennifer (June 12, 2020). "New 'Bachelor' Matt James on How Tyler Cameron's Late Mother Nominated Him for the Show (Exclusive)". Entertainment Tonight. Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  16. ↑ Wagmeister, Elizabeth (June 12, 2020). "'The Bachelor': Inside Matt James' Selection as the First Black Star in Series History (Exclusive)". Variety . Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  17. ↑ Jacobs, Julia (June 12, 2020). "First Black 'Bachelor', Matt James, Cast by ABC". The New York Times . Retrieved June 12, 2020.
  18. ↑ "Bachelor Matt James Says He's 'Pursuing' a Relationship with Ex Rachael Kirkconnell: I'm 'Focusing on It'". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved September 19, 2021.
  19. ↑ Duncan, Gabrielle (October 12, 2021). "DWTS: Two Celebrities Sent Home in Disney Week's Double Elimination". PEOPLE.com. Retrieved November 23, 2021.
  20. ↑ Dupre, Elise (March 8, 2022). "See Bachelor Nation's Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell's Date Night at the 2022 ACM Awards". E! Online . Retrieved March 12, 2022.
  21. ↑ Evans, Olivia (January 16, 2025). "The Bachelor's Matt James Announces Rachel Kirkconnell Break Up After 4 Years Together". E! Online. Retrieved January 20, 2025.
  22. ↑ Vargas, Chanel (November 7, 2022). "Matt James Ran in the 2022 NYC Marathon". POPSUGAR Fitness. Retrieved November 10, 2022.
  23. ↑ Ratliff, Laura; Kahler, Theo (November 5, 2023). "Here's How the Celebrities Did at the 2023 New York City Marathon". Runner's World. Retrieved November 5, 2023.
Preceded by The Bachelor
Season 25 (2021)		Succeeded by
This page is based on this Wikipedia article
Text is available under the CC BY-SA 4.0 license; additional terms may apply.
Images, videos and audio are available under their respective licenses.