and a big announce frment bachelor nation. The
brand- new bachelor being revealed right here right
now and for the first time ever he is black. It is a big
step forward for a show that's been criticized for its
lack of diversity and janai Norman joins us with more
on the story. Good morning. 40 seasons and only one
black lead. The bachelor franchise has never been
very diverse and the show's producers are hearing and
listening to that criticism and now taking action. Our
next bachelor, Peter. Ben Higgins, Juan
Pablo. Reporter: It's the show where suitors search for
love. The bachelor, a ratings
hit since its premiere nearly two decades ago. Will you
marry me? Yes. But throughout its 18- year
history one thing has remained the same not a single
bachelor chosen to lead the franchise has ever been a
black man and that has not gone unnoticed
called out by fans and former stars of the series.
Especially when you break down the number, 40
season, 18 years, one lead of color. Reporter: The
bachelorette's Rachel Lindsay the only black person in
40 seasons to ever have one season devoted to her
has been a vocal critic of the show saying it is
long past due for a diversity makeover. I was hoping
when I came on to be a trail blazer for that and to
increase diversity in the audience that watches it but in
the last three years, there really haven't been changes
made. Reporter: The show's lack of diversity has been
called out before including recently in a change. org
petition with nearly 85, 000 signatures. Now
the show is attempting to turn the page announcing
that at long last a black man will lead the franchise
choosing 28- year- old Matt James, originally cast as a
suitor on bachelorette Clair's current season, James is
also pals with Tyler Cameron and Hannah brown.
Rachel Lindsay says while picking James is a start
there's still much more work to be done. I want
producers of color and would like to cast leads
interested in dating outside their race and not just
getting their first- time experience on national TV. I
need the acknowledgement of that, not putting a
band- aid over the situation and saying, here, we'll put
this here. Are you happy now. Reporter: So with James
at the helm, the question, will this be a true turning
point for the franchise one where inclusion and
diversity are made of priority. Will you accept this rose?
Absolutely. Reporter: The president of ABC
entertainment promising this is just the beginning
saying we know we have a responsibility to make sure
the love stories we're seeing on screen are
representative of the world we live in and we will
continue to take action with regard to diversity issues
on this franchise. We feel so privileged to have Matt as
our first black bachelor and we cannot wait to embark
on this journey with him. And former bachelor Sean
Lowe who's been critical of the show's lack of diversity
says in addition too a black bachelor they need to cast
more black men in " The bachelorette ." There seems
to be maybe three men out of a group of 25, Amy. All
right, janai, thank you very much. Guess what, we are
excited the new bachelor, Matt James joins us now.
Matt, congratulations. And you really know how to keep
a secret because apparently your mom is finding out
with the rest of America that you're the bachelor so
what do you think her reaction is going to be? She's
going to be excited. You know, it's hard for
her to keep a secret so I had to keep it super tight and
she's finding out which is a fun way for everybody to
participate. Did you just call your momma out and say
I couldn't tell my momma because she can't be quiet?
Did you just do that, Matt? Hey, one thing I try to do is
keep it real and I'm an authentic person. If I said
anything else then I would be lying. So I'll be truthful?
Your reaction to getting the call. What went through
your mind first when you got the call to be the guy? So
my first reaction was, does this mean I don't get-- I
don't get to meet Clair because I was looking forward
to meeting her. I had set aside all this time and we had
gone out to California and been called back with
quarantine so I'm super excited for her and her season
but looking forward to meeting her eventually. Tell her
we got a bunch of clairs now. Right.
We heard from Rachel, Matt, about talking about the
lack of diversity, of course, in " The bachelor ." Do you
think that this is a signal that there will be not just a
change but a lasting change? Well,
I think it's a step in the right direction. When Rachel
speaks, we listen. She's got a very important voice
being the first black woman, person of color to have a
lead so I think we're all following suit in that
conversation and this is hopefully the first-- this is the
first of many black men to be in the position I'm in how
now. Rachel, I watched. She is the only season I
watched. I paid attention and she's a friend now and
been texting, talking about you this morning actually,
Matt. Part of the discussion has been is this too little
too late? This has been talked about for a long time.
Now why now? Maybe we have the answer to that or
can assume but does it feel a little too little too late?
You know, my opinion, I don't think it's ever the wrong
time to-- I don't think it's ever the wrong time to do
the right thing so too little too late for me is this
happening and we can't have change until you put that
first foot forward and that first foot forward for " The
bachelor" franchise is having a black lead so excited to
take on that role. Do you feel very pressure being the
first black man to be a bachelor at this point? I
think-- it's an honor, you know, I'm just going to lean
into myself and how my mom raised me and hopefully
when people invite me into their homes on Monday
night they'll see I'm not much different than them and
see diverse love stories are beautiful. I think you hit on
what I was going to bring up here. People can be
dismissive. It's a I reality show, it's " The bachelor" and
ridiculous. It's kind of a guilty pleasure, if you will.
We're not supposed to necessarily take that seriously
in the grantdz scheme of things but still it can be
relevant, don't you think, to have you, your story to be
out there, to be highlighted in such a way?
100 % because I think a lot of people are in that
situation where they're uncomfortable dating outside
their race or they're uncomfortable being in that
position. They-- it's a conversation starter for a lot of
people and hopefully again it paves the way for a lot of
diverse love stories because those are beautiful story.
Matt, before we let you go, tell us about the women
during the season. What qualities are you looking for
and what do you hope is the end result? You
know, fortunate for me, I'm looking for qualities that a
lot-- that my mom embodies and that's selfless,
honest, caring, compassionate and those are qualities
found in women all shape, sizes and races and it's not
a black or white thing so I'm hoping that when that limo
puts up there is a lot of diversity and I see every type
of woman coming out of that limo. We so appreciate
you joining us. We wish you the very best. You
mentioned Clair. Well, Clair's season of " The
bachelorette" will air this fall followed by Matt's season
of " The bachelor ." Exciting stuff.