The Bachelor (Season 25)

The **25th season** of *The Bachelor* premiered on January 4, 2021. It featured 28-year-old Matt James, a real estate broker and entrepreneur.

He was originally supposed to appear on the 16th season of *The Bachelorette*.

He ultimately chose to pursue a relationship with Rachael Kirkconnell.

## Filming and development

The new season was announced on May 21, 2020.

The premiere date of January 4, 2021, was announced on November 10, 2020.

The official poster was released on December 7, 2020.

As with the 16th season of *The Bachelorette*, the season was filmed entirely at the Nemacolin Woodlands Resort in Farmington, Pennsylvania, 60 miles southeast of Pittsburgh due to quarantine safety protocols.

### Casting and contestants

Matt James was announced as the Bachelor on June 12, 2020. He was originally supposed to be a part of Clare Crawley's season of *The Bachelorette*. Matt is the first black Bachelor in franchise history, and while it was intended and announced as the second Afro-American lead (after Rachel Lindsay of the 13th season of *The Bachelorette*), the sudden introduction of Tayshia Adams as a co-lead on 16th season of *The Bachelorette*, made Matt the third Afro-American lead of the franchise. He is also the first lead to have not previously appeared on *The Bachelorette* since Matt Grant in season 12.

On October 5, 2020, 43 possible contestants were announced on the official Bachelor Facebook page. In an official release posted on December 7, 2020, it was revealed that only 32 women would take part in the show. This is the highest amount of women to appear on the show. The release also revealed that eight women will be sent home during the first rose ceremony. On December 11, 2020, the final cast of 32 women was revealed.

A notable contestant is Mariela "Mari" Pepin, who had previously been crowned Miss Maryland USA 2019. Pepin later went on to place within the top ten at Miss USA 2019, where she competed against season 24 contestants Victoria Paul and Alayah Benavidez. Another contestant is Kit Keenan, who is the daughter of fashion designer Cynthia Rowley.

## Contestants

The season began with 32 contestants.

Rachael Kirkconnell
24
Cumming, Georgia
Graphic Designer
WinnerMichelle Young
27
Edina, Minnesota
Teacher
Runner-UpBri Springs
24
San Francisco, California
Communications Manager
Eliminated in week 9Serena Pitt
23
Markham, Ontario
Publicist
Quit in week 8Pieper James
23
Happy Valley, Oregon
Graduate Student
Eliminated in week 7Jessenia Cruz
27
El Paso, Texas
Social Media Marketer
Eliminated in week 7Kit Keenan
21
New York City, New York
Socialite
Quit in week 7Abigail Heringer
25
Salem, Oregon
Client Financial Manager
Eliminated in week 7Chelsea Vaughn
28
Marietta, Georgia
Runway Model
Eliminated in week 6Serena Chew
24
San Francisco, California
Flight Attendant
Eliminated in week 6Katie Thurston
29
Renton, Washington
Bank Marketing Manager
Eliminated in week 6Brittany Galvin
23
Hinsdale, Illinois
Model
Eliminated in week 5Mearg "Magi" Tareke
32
Washington, D.C.
Pharmacist
Eliminated in week 5Ryan Claytor
26
Mechanicsville, Virginia
Choreographer
Eliminated in week 5MJ Snyder
23
Hudson, Ohio
Hairstylist
Eliminated in week 5Catalina Morales
29
Caguas, Puerto Rico
Former Miss Puerto Rico
Eliminated in week 4Lauren Maddox
29
Miami, Florida
Corporate Attorney
Eliminated in week 4Mariela "Mari" Pepin
24
Severn, Maryland
Marketing Director
Eliminated in week 4Victoria Larson
27
Los Angeles, California
Queen
Eliminated in week 4Anna Redman
24
Owatonna, Minnesota
Copywriter
Eliminated in week 4Kaili Anderson
26
Chicago, Illinois
Hostess
Eliminated in week 3Khaylah Epps
28
Durham, North Carolina
Healthcare Advocate
Eliminated in week 3Kim Li
28
Los Angeles, California
ICU Nurse
Eliminated in week 3Sarah Trott
24
San Diego, California
Broadcast Journalist
Quit in week 3Alana Milne
26
Toronto, Ontario
Photographer
Eliminated in week 2Illeana Pennetto
25
South Salem, New York
Health Food Developer
Eliminated in week 2Kristin Hopkins
27
Virginia Beach, Virginia
Attorney
Eliminated in week 2Marylynn Sienna
28
Huntington Beach, California
Event Coordinator
Eliminated in week 2Sydney Johnson
28
Franklin, Tennessee
Marketing Specialist
Eliminated in week 2Alicia Holloway
24
Morgantown, West Virginia
Professional Ballerina
Eliminated in week 1Amber Andrews
30
Costa Mesa, California
Nursing Student
Eliminated in week 1Carolyn Vallejo
30
Newburyport, Massachusetts
Journalist
Eliminated in week 1Casandra Suarez
25
Lodi, California
Social Worker
Eliminated in week 1Corrinne Jones
22
Pomfret, Connecticut
Marketing Manager
Eliminated in week 1Emani Curl
25
Albuquerque, New Mexico
Realtor
Eliminated in week 1Kimberly Courneya
28
Seattle, Washington
Airline Recruiter
Eliminated in week 1Saneh Ste Clare
25
Denver, Colorado
IT Consultant
Eliminated in week 1
### Future appearances

Katie Thurston was announced as the next bachelorette on the **After The Final Rose** special. Her season aired from June to August 2021.

Michelle Young was also announced as the bachelorette on the **After The Final Rose** special. Her season aired from October to December 2021.

## Where are they now?

Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell ended their relationship after photos of Rachael attending an Antebellum themed party resurfaced, but quickly got back together. They are still together.

Michelle Young got engaged to Nayte Olukoya on the 18th season of *The Bachelorette*. They split in June 2022.

Serena Pitt got engaged to Joe Amabile on the 7th season of *Bachelor in Paradise*. They are still together.

Pieper James is dating Brendan Morais.

Abigail Heringer is dating Noah Erb, whom she met on the 7th season of *Bachelor in Paradise*.

Katie Thurston got engaged to Blake Moynes on the 17th season of *The Bachelorette*. They broke up in October 2021 and she is now dating John Hersey who was a contestant on her season.

Mari Pepin got engaged to Kenny Braasch on the 7th season of *Bachelor in Paradise*. They are still together.

Anna Redman is dating Chris Bukowski.

Brittany Galvin met Tyler Norris on the 8th season of *Bachelor in Paradise*. They split in August 2022.

## The Ring

A 3-carat, pear-shaped diamond that is intricately set with a diamond halo and a platinum band set with over 175 brilliant-cut round diamonds by Neil Lane.
## Promotional gallery

### Bachelor

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### The Women

* Matt & The Women at the first rose ceremony
* Rachael Kirkconnell - Winner
* Michelle Young - Runner-Up
* Bri Springs - Week 9
* Serena Pitt - Week 8
* Pieper James - Week 7
* Jessenia Cruz - Week 7
* Kit Keenan - Week 7
* Abigail Heringer - Week 7
* Chelsea Vaughn - Week 6
* Serena Chew - Week 6
* Katie Thurston - Week 6
* Brittany Galvin - Week 5
* Mearg "Magi" Tareke - Week 5
* Ryan Claytor - Week 5
* MJ Snyder - Week 5
* Catalina Morales - Week 4
* Lauren Maddox - Week 4
* Mariela "Mari" Pepin - Week 4
* Victoria Larson - Week 4
* Anna Redman - Week 4
* Kaili Anderson - Week 3
* Khaylah Epps - Week 3
* Kim Li - Week 3
* Sarah Trott - Week 3
* Alana Milne - Week 2
* Illeana Pennetto - Week 2
* Kristin Hopkins - Week 2
* Marylynn Sienna - Week 2
* Sydney Johnson - Week 2
* Alicia Holloway - Week 1
* Amber Andrews - Week 1
* Carolyn Vallejo - Week 1
* Casandra Suarez - Week 1
* Corrinne Jones - Week 1
* Emani Curl - Week 1
* Kimberly Courneya - Week 1
* Saneh Ste Clare - Week 1
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