Matt James, a native of North Carolina, is an American reality television personality and real estate associate. He played college football as a wide receiver at Wake Forest University. In June 2020, James was announced as the lead for Season 25 of ABC’s The Bachelor, marking a historic moment as the first African-American male lead in the franchise’s history. This followed Rachel Lindsay's groundbreaking role as the first Black female lead in Season 13 of The Bachelorette in 2017.
Matt James was born on December 5, 1991, in Raleigh, North Carolina, to Patty and Manny James. He attended Sanderson High School, where he played football under head coach Tony Lewis. In his senior year, he recorded 716 receiving yards and four touchdowns, achievements that earned him a spot on the Cap-7 All-Conference team. In addition to football, James also excelled in basketball. He graduated from Sanderson High School in 2010 and went on to Wake Forest University, where he pursued a degree in economics while continuing his football career.
At Wake Forest University, James played as a wide receiver for the Demon Deacons, wearing jersey number 87. During his college career, he totaled 48 receptions and 458 receiving yards. After earning his bachelor’s degree in economics in 2014, he tried out for multiple NFL teams, including the Carolina Panthers and the New Orleans Saints. Although he signed briefly with the Saints, he was ultimately released before playing in the NFL.
Following his pursuits in football, Matt James transitioned into real estate and is currently employed as an associate at CBRE Group, one of the world’s leading real estate services firms. Before joining CBRE, he briefly worked at PNC Bank in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Beyond his corporate career, James is also an entrepreneur and philanthropist. He co-founded ABC Food Tours, a nonprofit organization that connects children from underserved communities with educational and cultural experiences through food and fitness activities. His work has aligned with organizations like the Robin Hood Foundation, further demonstrating his commitment to service and community upliftment.
Initially, Matt James was slated to appear as a contestant on Clare Crawley’s season of The Bachelorette. However, due to production delays related to the COVID-19 pandemic, the season was postponed. Instead, ABC cast James as the lead for the 25th season of The Bachelor, announced in June 2020. His season premiered in early 2021 and drew significant attention for its historical significance and cultural impact. James described his ideal partner as “selfless, honest, kind, and compassionate.” His popularity grew rapidly, with his social media accounts—such as Instagram (@mattjames919) and TikTok—seeing large increases in followers.
