Matt James Surprises Fans With Sneak Peek Of His Upcoming Book
Bachelor alum Matt James surprised his social media followers by dropping a surprise sneak peek of his upcoming book. What can fans expect from his memoir? Get all the details.
Was Bachelor Season 25 the most controversial ever?
Matt James was never supposed to be The Bachelor. He was originally cast as a contestant on Clare Crawley’s season of The Bachelorette. However, the pandemic pushed filming for Season 16 back.
Amid the focus on racial equality, ABC announced that Matt James would be the next Bachelor, the first Black male lead in the franchise history instead of a contestant on Crawley’s season. The network claimed that the move was in the works already and had nothing to do with the rising racial tensions in the country.
Viewers had high expectations for Season 25. Unfortunately, all the attention went to the controversy surrounding frontrunner (and eventual winner) Rachael Kirkconnell.
As the season was airing on ABC, photos surfaced online of Kirkconnell attending an Old South-themed party in 2018. Bachelor Nation host Chris Harrison eventually left the franchise after his attempt to defend Rachael went sideways.
During the After the Final Rose episode, Matt James revealed that he ended his relationship with Rachael Kirkconnell over the photos. However, they reunited a month after the episode aired. They’ve been together ever since. There’s even speculation that he might propose soon.
Season 25 is considered one of the most controversial seasons of all time. But controversy sells books.
In November of 2021, Matt James revealed that he was writing a memoir based on his experience on the dating competition. First Impressions releases on Tuesday, May 3, 2022.
But the former Bachelor couldn’t wait to share some of it with his fans.
Matt James drops surprise sneak peek of upcoming book
Earlier this week, Matt James took to his Instagram Stories to share a link with a preview of his upcoming memoir. The first seven pages were available for fans to read. The book kicks off with the sentence, “No one can prepare you to be the first of your kind. But many will try”
The first few pages delve into how Matt James sought advice from his Bachelor Nation friends, as well as his Black friends about being the next Bachelor.
However, no amount of advice could prepare him for appearing on one of the most popular dating shows.
He recounts the nervousness he felt in the days leading up to ABC’s initial press release announcing him as the next Bachelor. James also remembers feeling uneasy about how the show chose to portray him on the first episode.
“My introduction to America ran five minutes. It spoke little about the people and beliefs I valued most,” he wrote in the memoir.
The reality star also shared a glimpse into online trolls that come with fame. Matt James shares a story of meeting a fan in the street. However, when the fan tagged him in the photo, he noticed a long messaging history between them, none from his side.
The fan who was so eager to take a selfie with him and said encouraging words in person was the same troll saying horrible things to him online.
However, the book isn’t about bashing the franchise or Bachelor Nation fans. Rather, it’s to share the lessons he’s learned on “the path from Raleigh to Hollywood.”
The introduction makes no mention of Rachael Kirkconnell. Does that mean she’s not in the book?
Rachael Kirkconnell reveals book will detail their reunion after scandal
During the After the Final Rose episode, Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnnell were both clearly devastated by their breakup. So much so that they got back together shortly afterward. However, they’ve never shared how it happened.
During a recent Q&A on her Instagram, Rachael Kirkconnell dropped the news that Matt’s book would detail how they got back together. She also confirmed that Matt James was the one who reached out first following the split.
Do you plan to read Matt James’ book? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
First Impressions: Off-Screen Conversations with a Bachelor on Race, Family, and Forgiveness hits bookstores on May 3, 2022.
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