Meet All ‘The Bachelor’ Contestants Competing For Matt James’ Heart In 2021
One has already been on a previous season of The Bachelor...
One of the most exciting parts about the early stages of The Bachelor is learning about the women—seeing who is and isn't aggressively grabbing time with the star and trying to suss out who will be a good fit for next season's lead. That, and how many dental hygienists and women named Lauren the casting agents can fit into one season.
Well, Matt James' season of The Bachelor has launched, and there are already so many women making their mark. But, hold onto your pants, because fans haven't even met them all: Host Chris Harrison previously boasted there will be a "record number of women" vying for Matt’s final rose during his "bigger" and "grander" season 25.
Apparently, a lot is happening this season—for both the women and Matt. "He is a different man than when he came to us, and he got really a crash course because he didn’t get the few steps of being on the show," Chris told Us Weekly in late November. "He really just ripped the Band-Aid off and sometimes that hurts a little bit. So, I think he had a bit of a rude awakening of the man he is, the way he loves [and] what love means to him. It really is an amazing journey you’re going to take with Matt, not just as the Bachelor but also as this man who realizes, 'Wow, okay, this is love and this is what it means and I’m really here to find this.'"
So far, there are a few women who look like strong early contenders. There's Abigail Heringer, the sweet 25-year-old client financial manager from Oregon who won the First Impression Rose. Also, Magi Tareke, the Ethiopian-born pharmacist who just seems like someone you'd want to be BFFs with. Don't forget Sarah Trott, the former broadcast journalist who left her job to become a caregiver for her dad, who has ALS.
But, for whatever reason, Matt didn't keep around pro ballerina Alicia Holloway, a move that shocked a lot of fans. There are also the women you just know Matt/the producers are keeping around for drama (lookin' at you, Victoria Larson and your habit of referring to yourself as "queen.") Of course, with so many women, it can be tough to keep tabs on who is staying and who has already left the show at this point. If you're struggling to remember, peep this rose ceremony tracker.
Not all the ladies are there for the right reasons, unfortunately. "Yes, this show is for contestants who want to gain IG followers, do paid ads, go to Stagecoach, etc," Bachelor spoilers blogger Reality Steve wrote on Twitter. "That's not new." However, Steve did note one particular area of improvement: "At least they're trying to be diverse."
What exactly Matt's looking for isn't totally clear yet, although he hinted during a sweet chat with his mom that he's ready to find someone who just ~gets~ him. ICYDK, he’s a real estate broker, entrepreneur, community organization founder, and former pro football player. He's got a lot going on and needs a lady by his side who can keep up.
For now, you can get to know—and obsess over—all the Bachelor contestants competing for Matt's heart:
Heather Martin
You probably remember Heather as "the virgin" from Colton Underwood’s Bachelor season. (Minus, ya know, Colton Underwood.) If not, just a quick recap: Heather had never been kissed before coming on the show but did end up having her first smooch with Colton.
Heather told Us Weekly in March that she hadn’t kissed anyone since her famous onscreen liplock with Colton—and apparently, she’s looking to change that. Reality Steve said on his blog that she joined Matt's cast, though TBD how long she lasted. What’s Heather been up to lately? She hung out with Hannah Brown recently, according to Instagram, and Hannah is buddies with Matt, so…
Age: 24
Hometown: Carlsbad, CA
Instagram: @heatherm22
Victoria Larson
Victoria currently lives in Los Angeles and her profession is "queen." She has a goldendoodle and loves an Aperol spritz.
When Chris introduces her, he says "the queen has arrived." "You're going to enjoy queen Victoria," he adds. (We'll see about that...)
Age: 27
Hometown: New York, NY
Instagram: @victorialarson_
Sydney Johnson
Syd lives in Nasvhille, TN, where she keeps busy with "marketing/shenanigans" at Vaco Nashville.
She's a Nasvhille Titans fan and Syd has tie-dyed at least one shirt this year. Syd doesn't shy away from telling it like it is, per Chris, and prides herself on being very, very blunt.
Age: 28
Hometown: Franklin, TN
Instagram: @sydney_alexa
Serena Pitt
She's one of two Canadians who made it across the border to compete for Matt's heart. Serena is a Wilfrid Laurier University alum who works at MacIntyre Communications and SuperFin Aquatics.
Chris says she's petite but a force to be reckoned with. And Serena is always honest about how she feels and what the score is. Keep an eye out for that.
Age: 22
Hometown: Toronto, Ontario, Canada
Instagram: @serena_pitt
Serena Chew
Serena is a flight attendant and she's good friends with fellow flight attendant Eunice, who appeared on Peter Weber's season, per Steve. She lives in the Bay Area and is a San Jose State grad.
Her Instagram bio reveals a masked photo of Serena and her fashion philosophy: "No such thing as being too overdressed." Serena has a fashion blog, Serenaissance.org, inspired by the renaissance and revival of various styles. Keep an eye on her rose ceremony lewks.
If you're wondering who the girl literally falling for Matt in the promos is, it's Serena. And, Chris says she tripped on purpose and Matt had no idea it was staged.
Age: 24
Hometown: San Bruno, CA
Instagram: @serenerz_
Sarah Trott
Anybody else seeing Alexis from Schitt's Creek's double? Just me? Sarah lives in Los Angeles and works as a broadcast journalist, host, model, and podcaster at From Here To Where. Fun fact: Sarah's also a trained fire dancer.
She hits it off with Matt right away, according to Chris, and catches strong feelings early. Sarah quit her job as a TV anchor to become a caregiver for her father in his fight with ALS Lou Gehrig's Disease, per her website.
Age: 24
Hometown: San Diego, CA
Instagram: @thesarahtrott
Saneh Ste. Clare
This University of Florida alum likes birds and high fives. She's based in Denver, CO, these days and is an IT consultant (a.k.a. workforce strategist and senior technical recruiter for Brooksource). Saneh describes herself as "a relationship-driven, fierce team player with a passion for connecting exceptional people to exceptional opportunities," on LinkedIn.
Chris says she has huge energy and a creative limo entrance. It could even be the "greatest of all time."
Will this prove to be an exceptional opportunity and connection for Saneh and Matt? Only time will tell.
Age: 25
Hometown: Denver, CO
Twitter: @sanehh
Ryan Claytor
Ryan is a "dance artist" who studied at James Madison University. Fun fact: She's also a dancer on FX's Pose.
She splits time between Virginia and New York, per her Instagram bio.
Age: 25
Hometown: Mechanicsville, VA
Instagram: @ryanmarcelle
Rachael Kirkconnell
Rachael is a down-to-earth Southern girl and "sweet as cotton candy" if you ask Chris. She works as a graphic designer.
Age: 24
Hometown: Cumming, GA
Instagram: @rachaelkirkconnell
Pieper James
In addition to looking for love, Pieper is "actively seeking career advancement in a meaningful work environment," per her LinkedIn. She's working on her masters in marketing at DePaul University and did her undergrad at the University of Oregon. Chris calls her "very cerebral" and smart, but she has zero poker face.
Pieper also has an active modeling profile, per Reality Steve. She's 5'8" and wears a size 9.5 shoe.
Age: 24
Hometown: Happy Valley, OR
Instagram: @pieper_james
MJ Snyder
MJ is putting out major boho vibes with her long, curly hair. She was an Alpha Phi at Ohio State University, per Reality Steve and Instagram.
MJ previously worked in PR in New York City and started a mobile spray tan business, per an interview with Iles Formula. Now, she's a hairstylist specializing in lived-in hair color and extensions. MJ is your "hype woman" according to Chris. She also has an odd phobia, which he says everyone will enjoy.
Age: 23
Hometown: Hudson, OH
Instagram: @m.j.snyder
Michelle Young
Michelle joined Instagram in 2020 and has exactly three posts and counting on her feed. This Midwest gal is another big mystery on Matt's season.
Age: 27
Hometown: Woodbury, MN
Instagram: @michelle.young.1
Marylynn Sienna
Marylynn is no stranger to tears—she's one of the more emotional women this season, according to Chris. (Yes, he's putting her up there with Ashley I.) Marylynn also finds herself right in the middle of one of the big feuds and roommate drama.
Her Instagram bio contains a few vague clues about her personality: "Be the change you want to see in the world. Live an 𝒊𝒏𝒔𝒑𝒊𝒓𝒆𝒅 life ✨"
Age: 28
Hometown: Huntington Beach, CA
Instagram: @marylynnsienna
Mariela (Mari) Pepin
She's from Puerto Rico originally, but now she calls Baltimore, MD, home. In fact, she was Miss Maryland 2019 and finished top 10 during Miss USA 2019. Yes, Mari competed against Alayah Benevidez (who's also a good friend) and Victoria Paul from Peter Weber's Bachelor season.
Now, Mari works as a marketing director. She tried to steer clear of drama but didn't succeed, per Chris.
Age: 24
Hometown: Luquillo, Puerto Rico
Instagram: @mari_pepin
Magi Tareke
Magi is the oldest contestant competing for Matt's love at the age of 32. She's a pharmacist who lives in Washington, D.C., but she grew up in the small village of Adwa in Ethiopia.
As a result, Magi founded and works with msyshoes.org, which provides shoes to girls in developing nations so they can safely walk to school.
Her M.O.: "Treat others the way your want to be treated."
Age: 32
Hometown: Adwa, Ethiopia
Instagram: @magitareke
Lauren Maddox
It's already a historic season thanks to Matt as the lead, but there's also only one Lauren. Has that ever happened before?! I can't remember a solo Lauren season in all my years of viewing. Chris says she's "sweet and a really down-to-earth girl," but also has a tough right jab.
This Miami-based attorney is all about giving the world good energy. At least that's what she says in her Instagram bio. Lauren is field counsel at the Law Office of Ignacio M. Sarmiento.
Age: 29
Hometown: Miami, FL
Instagram: @la_maddox
Kristin Hopkins
Kristin lives in New Jersey and works as a lawyer at Segal McCambridge specializing in sports, recreation, entertainment, product liability and employment, and labor litigation. She earned her law degree from William & Mary.
Kristin includes a reference to Hebrews 10:35-36 in her IG bio and "Shine bright, shine far—be a star." (Tyra Banks would be so proud.) When she's not working, she enjoys Broadway musicals and volunteering with her sorority.
Chris says she's as "sharp as a thorn on a rose."
Age: 27
Hometown: Virginia Beach, VA
Instagram: @kristin_bria
Kit Keenan
Young and looking for love. Kit was recently able to legally drink and is the youngest contestant on Matt's season. He's seven years older, nbd. "A bit on the young side," is how Chris describes her age.
Her job title is "socialite," and she hosts a mother/daughter podcast called Ageless Podcast with her mom, designer Cynthia Rowley. Kit's curated IG feed is full of fashion and food with the occasional fitness post. No surprise that Kit had boxes and boxes of clothes shipped to the shooting location, per Chris, and is possibly the best dressed ever.
Age: 21
Hometown: New York, NY
Instagram: @kitkeenan
Kimberly Courneya
Kimberly is a talent acquisition partner at Alaska Airlines, which she describes as "corporate America." She lives in the Seattle area.
She's a Washington State University alum and previously worked for Nordstrom and Kaiser Permanente. Chris says she has a great sense of humor with a "big bubbly personality," and arrives with a "fishy entrance."
Age: 28
Hometown: Lake Tapps, WA
Instagram: @kimberlycourneya
Khaylah Epps
Khaylah is a program manager associate at Blue Cross NC, per LinkedIn. She earned a B.S. and masters from the University of North Carolina Chapel Hill. FYI: Matt's also from Durham, NC.
She's also a fashion and portrait photographer. She loves traveling the world, thrift shopping, or watching Netflix when she's not behind the camera. Chris also noted her emotional intelligence.
Age: 28
Hometown: Bronx, NY
Instagram: @spperk and @shotsbypperk
Jennifer Nied is the fitness editor at Women’s Health and has more than 10 years of experience in health and wellness journalism. She’s always out exploring—sweat-testing workouts and gear, hiking, snowboarding, running, and more—with her husband, daughter, and dog.
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