'The Bachelor' Season 25: Here's the diverse cast of 32 smart women vying for Matt James
ABC is all geared up for 2021. They announced that the highly-anticipated Season 25 of 'The Bachelor' will be releasing on January 4. It's the first time that the show has cast the franchise's first Black lead, Matt James. They've also cast the suitresses from various backgrounds and ethnicities in order to diversify the show. The group of women who've signed up to find love are not just attractive faces who believe in finding love on a dating show. These are women of substance and their official biographies are as impressive as they come. Each with flourishing careers and set goals, these women know what they want. Here's a quick look at the who's who among the group of 31 women though most of their Instagram pages and other social media handles are set to private. One of them will hopefully end up with a proposal from Matt, and here's a chance for you to pick your favorites and let us know who you'll be rooting for this season, in the comments.
Sydney
Sydney knows what she wants and doesn't back down while letting everyone know what's on her mind. Being a woman of opinion, sporting a tough exterior and saying it like it is doesn't take away the fact that she's a romantic at heart. She's very outgoing and is looking for a mellow man to balance out her energies. An atypical Southern belle, she describes herself as a "traditional romantic" and is looking for someone who will woo her. Awkward dinner conversations are a strict no for her but a man telling her all that he wants to do in the future that will add to his growth is a huge turn-on for her. She is not looking for someone who will dilly dally around a topic and likes people who get straight to the point. Love, loyalty, motivation and support are the few things that she wants her man to bring into the relationship.
Victoria
This one's a queen. Her official bio states that she likes to refer to herself as Queen Victoria who's jet-setted around the world to a point that it's become tiresome and she's now passionate about entrepreneurship, but she does it with a lot of grandiose. While she's not catering to her businesses in the health and beauty space, she tends to her mental wellbeing by immersing herself in meditation and spirituality that plays a huge role in her life, and finding someone with the same interests would be a win-win for her. If Victoria loves someone, she'd let them know with physical touch, which is her love language, and hopes to find an appreciative partner who'd indulge her. She has absolutely no filter and is ready to take on the rest of the ladies in her pursuit of Matt.
Serena P
This Canadian is rooting to find love. She's never really found or pursued true love just like Matt James, who's confessed to have never been in love ever before. Will this warrant a bond between the two who haven't found much luck in love? Only time will tell. Some of the requirements that she has in a partner include the will to share food. Her bio states that her man HAS to be willing to share food with her. She says, "If they don't let me taste their food, I don't know if the relationship could survive." It'd be fun to watch Matt and Serena P on a date. Will she call him out if he turns out to be a Joey? We are excited to find out! Are you?
Serena C
The adventurous and free-spirited Serena C is coming to the show believing that Matt James maybe her perfect match. She is looking for a man with charisma, good character, and someone with who she can form a strong connection. She loves dressing up for a fancy night out and loves champagne too, making her another contestant who'd go all out on those one-on-one dates. She needs a man who can initiate and hold a thought-provoking conversation, is professionally successful but also has a free-spirited side to him who shares her love for traveling.
Sarah
Sarah comes from an incredibly close-knit family and the relationship her parents share is the one she wants for herself, the one built on the foundation of love and loyalty. She's been in two serious relationships, both were not meant to be. Her interests include traveling, trying new foods, concerts, tennis, hiking and biking. Matt is a totally outdoorsy person, his social media confirms this and it looks like he and Sarah might hit it off quite well based on their shared love for the outdoors. One more thing about Sarah that might impress James is her will to work for the community and give back to children in need. Matt runs an organization called Fun Food Tours where he takes underpriviliged children to the best eateries in and around New York City and educates them about healthy eating habits. We think she's going to be one of the frontrunners this season. What do you think?
Saneh
Probably the only Hall of Famer in not just this season but in the history of the franchise, Saneh was inducted into the University of Florida for outstanding leadership, service and academic achievement. She too loves the outdoors. Hiking, kayaking, sunrise yoga at the Red Rocks Amphitheater is what she loves to do, and hopes that her partner would enjoy the same. Saneh is ready for an adventure of a lifetime with the hopes of find love. The thing about her that might impress Matt the most is that she is a marathoner and completed her first marathon at age 16.
Marylynn
Marylynn is someone who's coming into the show, ready to be committed. She's envisioned her marriage already and wants to raise two rescue dogs with her other half with whom she hopes to live a productive and healthy life. Environmental welfare and healthy lifestyle choices are two things that she wishes to promote and she's clear that she wants her partner to share her goals of making the world a better place. Matt sure looks like he's going to be spoilt for choice. Marylynn too like his other suitresses wants to give back to the community and it's going to be all the more interesting to see and hear the reasons why he would be sending home a particular woman when everyone who is turning up for him is wholesome in the true sense of the word.
MJ
MJ is a beauty expert by profession. She truly believes that her calling in life is to make the world a more beautiful place. Growing up on a small island, she loves the outdoors and being on the water. Her three big turn offs in a man are: an inflated ego, unrealistic expectations and impunctuality. She is looking for someone who will support her super social life and let her maintain her independence but not someone who'd add extra drama to her life.
Pieper
Pieper's biography describes her as the total package. It states that she has a dynamic personality, a creative mind, a caring and giving self who pulls out all stops to learn what brings her partner joy so that she can foster happiness in her relationship. Pieper is a little hoity-toity, and if Matt decides to take her out on a picnic where they could eat sandwiches sitting on the ground, she might just have a problem with that. The person that she's closest to in the whole world is her grandma who she calls Gram-cracker. Pieper loves European cars and the limo she'll be seen stepping out of to meet Matt on the driveway is not her absolute favorite but its the Rolls Royce that she dreams of owning one day.
Rachael
Georgian belle Rachael will connect with Matt over the fact that they both haven't experienced what it's like to not be in love even though they're thorough romantics at heart. She believes that she'll find the great love that everyone writes poems about and that it would be something huge and life-altering. Her idea of a great date? Select a good movie, break out that bottle of some great red and add a charcuterie board, you're all set! She wants the kind of love where they could spend each day doing things that they could tell their future children about. She says, "At the end of the day, love is what makes your life more special than others. Life can be hard and really difficult and dark at times, but if you have someone by your side that loves you more than they love themselves, that makes it all worth it in the end."
Mari
Mari is a pageant queen. This former beauty queen moved from Puerto Rico to Maryland, enrolled in college where she managed to be a part of a number of pageants. Her recent win was taking away the title of Miss Maryland USA in 2019. She was also one of the Top 10 at Miss USA. Her focus has now shifted and she's now pursuing an alternate career as a marketing director for which she's on the go most of the time. She's also ready to find the love of her life with whom she can settle down and that's the reason she's enlisted herself on 'The Bachelor'. Mari envisions her life as a working woman but very a hands on mom, given the nature of her job that allows working remotely. She wants to be an example to young women to show them that they can truly have it all.
Magi
Magi is a grateful woman for all the opportunities that life has presented her. She grew up in Ethiopia and moved to the US, which she describes as one of the scariest things she's done, after winning the Diversity Visa Lotto. She might be written off for being too sweet by people who know her but Magi believes her kindness is her biggest strength and that there's power and resilience behind it. She grew up in a place where arranged marriages were the only way, so being on this show and to pursue Matt's heart is something that is very exciting for her. She is excited to show the women in her home country that everyone deserves a chance to choose who they love.
Lauren
Lauren is a highly successful individual with a love for fashion, a day at the beach, working out and spending time with her girlfriends. She has everything going for her but she doesn't have it all. A genuine and authentic man is something that's been missing from her life and she hopes to find what she's looking for with Matt. She hopes to have a family of her own some day and not having an inclination towards being a parent is a major turn-off for her. She had dated in the past but none of those men could be her best friend and she hopes that changes with Matt. She is terrified of lizards and frogs, but Christmas season and the 2000s hip-hop bring her a lot of joy, she's cool like that.
Kristin
Kristin is coming on the show to make up for all the lost time, courtesy her busy career and professional ambitions that left little to no time to pursue matters of the heart. She loves to party and needs her man to not be intimidated by all the attention she tends to attract. The concept of personal space is completely alien to her and needs her man to be openly affectionate. Matt has never been in love before, so it'd be interesting to see how he moves ahead with Kristin. Will Matt perceive her as clingy and eliminate her early? Or will he give in to her charm? Only time will tell.
Kit
Kit is a thorough New Yorker. Still in college, she lives with her parents in the heart of West Village while she completes her undergrad at the coveted NYU. She's mature for her age and ready for commitment, something that the men she meets on the regular do not want. She has high standards, doesn't engage with anyone who is fake or indirect and needs someone who can keep up with her witty banter and someone who can hold their own in NYC's social scene. Will Matt, who's now a New Yorker, live up to her expectations or will her expecting too much be off-putting for him? We can't wait to find out.
Kimberley
Kimberley describes herself as funny, loyal and trustworthy. She is a vagabond and will move to a new town if she decides to. She loves a healthy lifestyle, just like Matt, and her wish to find a man who shares the same enthusiasm as hers is already fulfilled. She loves picnics, is huge on snacks and loves the sunset views. She's looking for a grown man. One thing that she has zero tolerance for - CATS.
Khaylah
Khaylah is a healthcare advocate and is very passionate and driven about the work she does in her community in Durham, North Carolina. She believes life is all about giving back and is highly committed to what she does. She might come off as too strongly dedicated to work but she doesn't feel it's negative. She's someone who'll need her man to make her comfortable enough so that she could shed away her shy personality. She is looking for a respectful man with emotional intelligence and a desire to give back.
Katie
Katie is a storyteller who uses her wit to connect to people. She is on the lookout for a man who can laugh with her and she won't take an issue if she's been laughed at, if the moment calls for it. She's done wasting her time with boys who have failed to live up to her expectations. Someone who plays videogames all the time or kisses her when the moment or vibe isn't right is a big thumbs down for her. She hopes to land the job of hosting a talk show one day. She once planned a dog flash mob that saw a huge turnout. Her idea of a fun date is skinny dipping.
Kaili
Kaili has never dated a man that her family has approved of, till date. She enjoys sunset runs and romantic picnics. She is witty, charismatic and not afraid to laugh at herself and wants a man with the same qualities. Kaili is very experimental and has colored her hair every color one can imagine. She dreams of completing an ultra-marathon and maybe Matt can help her realize that dream.
Illeana
Illeana is an achiever, she just co-developed her own nutritional snack called 'Funky Munky Energy', the first step in her dreams of making it big in the health food world. The man that she's looking should have values that align with hers. She's lived her best Manhattan life but wouldn't bat an eyelid to swap hitting the town for some cuddle time on the couch with a glass of wine, pondering life's unsolvable mysteries with her man. She will know that she's found love when she and her man feel invincible to the world. Illeana is cool but her cat is cooler. His name is Sir Theo, an orange tabby who goes to the bathroom in the toilet and wears a bow-tie. Illeana was also on the synchronized ice-skating team.
Jessenia
Jessenia is going into this show fresh out of a relationship and is hoping to find her true counterpart in Matt. She loves a man who takes initiative, is adventurous and who will keep her life exciting and unpredictable. Staying on the phone throughout especially when on a date is a big turn-off for her. She wants someone with whom she can travel the world and also someone who she could enjoy a staycation with. She is a dog mother and it would mean everything to her to find a soulmate who shares the same love for her three furries and other dogs alike.
Emani
Emani isn't very "lovey-dovey" but does have a deep desire to find love. For Emani, a sophisticated jazz bar would outweigh a baseball game and sharing a bottle of fine red wine and spending time immersed in meaningful conversation is something that she finds ideal. She loves to cook and show her love for her man with a good 'ol home-cooked meal. Her family is important to her and going against their wishes is something she won't do, meaning if a man she brings home is a no-go for her family, its a no-go for her as well.
Carolyn
Carolyn has always been a caretaker in her previous relationships but is now seeking someone who will take care of her. She wants a bold man who challenges her and wouldn't be afraid to call her out when need be. She loves spontaneous dates and says, "jumping into unfamiliar territory together is a great way to bond and get to know each other on a deeper level."
Casandra
Casandra has a master's degree in social work. She believes coming on the show is one of the biggest risks she's ever taken for love but at the same time believes she and Matt will hit it off well, given their similarities. She's a city girl at heart but she feels she is truly at her best when stargazing and eating s'mores in her sweats with no makeup on. She feels Matt is her type and she is willing to take a chance if it means finding forever love. She loves sunflowers, is scared of the dark and hates when people eat her food off her plate.
Chelsea
Chelsea had a full-blown corporate career in America that she swapped for modeling and has never looked back ever since. She didn't date until she went to college. Her only relationship lasting five years ended a year and a half ago after she felt she had outgrown him. Chelsea wants someone who will spoil her, join her on wine and dine tours across the city and is an open communicator.
Corinne
Corinne does marketing for her family business — a high-end Italian restaurant. She is looking for a man who will prioritize settling down over having a busy nightlife and partying. She wants someone who will support her personal and professional endeavors and she'll do the same for him as she "always wants to water him so that he is constantly growing as a human, son, friend, etc".
Alicia
Alicia has been trying to establish her career as a professional ballerina when she was just 13. She now dances for the prestigious Dance Theater of Harlem. Her ultimate date consists of a day on the boat, drinking champagne and eating from a thoughtfully curated charcuterie board followed by shopping and a romantic dinner at one of NYC's best rooftop bars. Alicia wants to find a handsome, intelligent and respectful man who is not afraid to put in the work to make their love go the long distance.
Anna
A fun fact about Anna is that she was nicknamed Hollywood by her parents for her love for chic scarves and oversized sunglasses. She was on the cheerleading team in high school and always knew that she was meant for something bigger in life. Her dream guy is someone who will enjoy doing puzzles with her. She once convinced a pilot to let her fly the plane over bluffs of Minnesota for 15 minutes. She dreams of writing screenplays for Hallmark films.
Amber
Amber is a single mother and her life revolves around her 13-year-old son. She finds it hard to date as a single mom but she's ready to put the focus back on herself after a long time. She is looking for a man with whom she can travel and have more kids. Her dream job is taking care of beluga whales because they make her very happy. Her dream home would be a big ranch near a lake surrounded by trees and rescue every animal that she comes across in the need of a home.
Bri
Bri has stabilized her professional life and now wants to do the same on the personal front by finding the man of her dreams. Bri described herself as very laid-back and someone who is not easily embarrassed. She says that she is always the alpha in the relationship but would love to find someone who can challenge her and keep life interesting and exciting.
Alana
Alana loves adventure and has listed it as a key component in her life. She loves exploring the world and spends her downtime sipping wine at the local wineries, painting, cooking, and is on the show to find someone who can share in the everyday pleasures of life.
Abigail
Abigail loves being outdoors, is easygoing, laid-back and looking for a man who will lift up her spirits and make her feel like it's just the two of them. She doesn't believe in love at first sight, but will it change with Matt?