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‘The Bachelor’ picks Matt James as its first black lead, in its 25th season

June 12, 2020 at 10:13 a.m. EDT
After 24 seasons, ABC’s “The Bachelor” announced Matt James as the show’s first black male lead on June 12. Here's what former contestants think. (Video: Amber Ferguson/The Washington Post)

After 24 seasons aired over 18 years, “The Bachelor” will finally feature a black man as the show’s lead.

On Friday, “Good Morning America” announced that Matt James, a 28-year-old who was originally cast as a contestant on Clare Crawley’s upcoming season of “The Bachelorette,” will be the flagship show’s next Bachelor.