History was made on the Season 25 premiere of The Bachelor.
Because Matt James debuted as the first-ever Black lead of this reality competition?
Yes.
But also because a contestant brought a dildo to the set for the first time ever, in an attempt to make a memorable impression on her potential husband.
Prior to meeting his suitors and sharing some laughs, though, James opened up about how his parents’ divorce has impacted his view on love.
“Growing up in a single-parent home, I feel like I missed out on a lot of what it takes to be in a good relationship,” the former college football player said in an on-camera interview.
Matt even chatted with his mother before starting his journey, concluding that there’s no such thing as a “perfect” family.
“I know what I want and I know what I’m looking for. Someone who’s weathered storms, who’s resilient and strong,” James added.
“It’s a partnership. I’ve got so much hope in this process because I’ve seen it work.
‘When I meet these women, I’m going to be 10 toes on the ground and ready to give them everything.
“I’m ready to start that next chapter in my life.”
First, however, James spoke to Chris Harrison about the pressure he feels as an African-American anchoring this beloved franchise.
“My mom is white and my dad is Black, and I experience what it was like to be a product of interracial marriage,” Matt told Chris.
“And it’s tough because you’ve got people who have certain views, old-school views on what a relationship and what love looks like. And you’ve got people who are cheering for you to find love.
“And then you’ve got people who are cheering for you to end up with a specific person, a specific person of a specific race.”
Concluded James along these same lines:
“That’s something that kept me up at night. It’s like, I don’t want to piss off Black people, I don’t want to piss off white people, but I’m both of those. You know what I mean?
“It’s like, how do I please everybody?”
He won’t be able to.
But, as you’re about to find out, James made quite the impression on the suitors who arrived at the mansion via limo…
There was a model named Chelsea, who told Matt she hoped they could “make history together” as the show’s first Black couple.
There was a 24-year-old named Mari, who left Matt speechless.
“Do you ever meet somebody and you just don’t know what to say?” he asked the cameras.
“That was that moment. Trying to be smooth, but you can’t sometimes.”
There was a photographer named Alana, who asked Matt to hold a bowl of pasta win order to recreate an iconic Lady in the Tramp scene.
And there was Kaili, a 26-year-old hostess, who stunned everyone by strolling up in lingerie and requesting Matt pick out which dress she should wear.
“You’ve got to love a woman with confidence,” James said after meeting her.
“Walking up in your lingerie, like, you own that. I love that she did that.”
We’re sure he did!
Eventually, the evening took a NSFW turn when Katie showed off a “really special” item from home that she brought along with her.
“This pandemic was really hard for me and this just really got me through a lot, and I was hoping to pass the torch to you,” she said before pulling out a vibrator.
Matt laughed, but she rescinded the offer.
“After seeing how you look and knowing that the Fantasy Suite is so far away, I actually am going to need it just for a little bit longer,” the bank marketing manager said as candidly as one can.
Cut to the cocktail party…
… where Victoria introduced herself to the other woman by saying, “I’m Victoria, like the queen.”
And also where Katie gave a speech with her vibrator in hand, proposing a toast to Matt and making new friends.
Once Matt made his way inside the room, he opened up with a prayer, as he and all the ladies bowed their heads and he spoke to God.
From there, Matt addressed the importance of race in his journey.
“My mom’s white, my dad’s Black, and seeing everything that comes with that is beautiful, and I’m excited to explore that with you all,” the North Carolina native told everyone.
In subsequent one-on-one discussions, Matt learned that Sarah moved home to care for her dad, who was diagnosed with ALS when she was 19.
He also learned that 25-year old Abigail (pictured below) was born deaf.
“You were gorgeous, it was hard to focus,” he told her of their initial meeting before leaning in for a kiss.
James later grabbed the first impression rose and offered it to Abigail.
“One of the things that I challenged the women with was being vulnerable and I felt like you were everything that I am asking of these women tonight,” he said.
“And knowing that you’re a fighter, I thought that it was only appropriate that I ask you something. Abigail, will you accept this rose?”
She did, of course.
Before starting to hand out his first set of roses, Matt confessed to the women:
“I’m shaking right now because I know that tough decisions are part of what happens when you are trying to find love, and I promised myself that I was going to follow my heart.”
With that, the new Bachelor sent home eight of the 32 women.
Those sticking around?
Bri, Rachael, Chelsea, Sarah, MJ, Serena P., Khaylah, Kristin, Kit, Maggie, Pieper, Mari, Illeana, Jessenia, Kaili, Marylynn, Serena C., Lauren, Sydney, Alana, Katie, Anna and Victoria.