On Friday, June 12, ABC announced Matt James as the lead for season 25 of The Bachelor well ahead of schedule. Matt, a 28-year-old real estate broker, was meant to feature in Clare's season as one of her contestants but will now be the franchise's first Black male lead ever.
Before Matt's Bachelor reveal, he and Clare had a mini-clash over social media. In April, Clare tweeted about her potential suitors, writing, "If you are doing interviews and creating Cameo accounts before you are even on my season... you are in it for the wrong reasons... #dontwasteyourtime." In another tweet, she added, "Respect the opportunity you've been given. Respect the rules. Respect me."
Although her tweet didn't mention anyone by name, fans assumed she was, at least in part, referring to Matt, who already had a social media following before he was cast on The Bachelorette, thanks to his charity work and his friendship with popular past contestant Tyler Cameron. E! News reported that Matt took to his Instagram Stories to remind people why he was active at all.
So maybe Matt's recast as the next Bachelor worked out for both parties!