Everything is bigger in Texas—including the stars it produces.
And this time, Houston’s own Grant Ellis is stepping into the national spotlight as the newest leading man on ABC’s The Bachelor. Ellis, a former pro basketball player turned financial whiz, is set to make history as only the second Black Bachelor in the franchise’s 22-year run.
Ellis is a 31-year-old day trader from Houston and a former professional basketball player. He was previously a contestant on Jenn Tran’s “The Bachelorette” season, where he made a lasting impression before his departure just before hometown dates.
Originally, Ellis was a transplant from Newark, NJ. Ellis built an impressive basketball career by playing for Iona University, Southern University and Albertus Magnus College, where he earned his degree in 2017.
His professional basketball journey took him overseas to the Dominican Republic, where he competed for four years before an injury cut his career short.
He revealed that his mother encouraged him to join the reality dating show. When he appeared on The Bachelorette last summer, he had been single for over a year following a long-term, seven-year relationship.
For Ellis, Being The Bachelor is more than just a search for love—it’s an opportunity to break stereotypes, redefine narratives and represent Black men in a historically diverse genre. He hopes to bring a fresh perspective to the show with his Houston charm, confidence and authenticity.
“It’s huge. For me to set an example and to break certain stereotypes,” Ellis said during a segment on Entertainment Tonight. “I’m just going to be myself, and hopefully, it leaves a good impression.”
A step forward in representation
The franchise, which debuted in 2002, has faced criticism for its lack of diversity over the years.
“It’s hard to say out loud that people of color didn’t see themselves represented, that they did not see ‘The Bachelor’ franchise as a safe place,” executive producer Bennett Graebner said in news reports. “It created a vicious cycle, and it’s taken a lot of work to get back to a place where we feel at least we’re working for the positive.”
The appointment of Matt James as the first Black Bachelor in 2021 was a pivotal moment that ended in controversy when photos of the season’s frontrunner Rachael Kirkconnell, showed her located at an Old South-themed fraternity formal on a plantation. The episode sparked outrage among viewers and the show, as it addressed Kirkconnell’s actions and the show’s failures to address them.
In 2012, two Black men filed a class-action lawsuit against the show, alleging racial discrimination. This led to boycotts and calls for more inclusive casting. The judge ruled that casting is generally protected by the First Amendment, despite the plaintiffs’ claim that the show explicitly refused to cast people of color.
Dr. W. Denae Muhammad Murphy, a professor at the University of Houston who has taught Race and Reality Television courses, says that true representation goes beyond casting.
“While diversity in casting is a step in the right direction, it can actually be harmful if contestants are directed to act in ways that reinforce stereotypes,” she said. “Reality television is often manipulated for dramatic effect, shaping contestants into specific character tropes. Diverse storytelling behind the scenes is equally important in ensuring authentic representation.”
Ellis’s selection as The Bachelor has generated significant online buzz, with fans both excited and cautious about how he will be portrayed. Dr. Muhammad Murphy notes that Black men in reality TV often face a heightened level of scrutiny, especially in their romantic interactions.
“He’ll likely be judged more harshly than previous Bachelors, particularly when it comes to his relationships and how he navigates intimacy.”
Some viewers jokingly warn him not to “embarrass Black people.” Others are monitoring how he handles his journey, hoping he is not placed in the same problematic narratives seen in the past.
Murphy argues that true industry change requires more than just a diverse cast. “You can have a fully diverse group of contestants, but if the people writing, producing, and editing the show lack diverse perspectives, the same stereotypes will be reinforced.”She believes that the industry must include more Black creatives in decision-making roles to ensure that representation on screen aligns with genuine storytelling. Ellis’s season hopes to offer a fresh take on The Bachelor and challenge the reality TV industry to push for deeper inclusivity.
