The BachelorSeason 25 premiered on January 4, 2021, with Matt James as the Bachelor.
James is the first Black Bachelor (it’s about time!)
and nearly 40 women were on the initial contestant list (viaLife & Style).
If that number sounds exceptionally high, it’s because it is.
ABC executive Rob Mills explained that the reason for this decision wasCOVID-19.
“We brought all these women out just in case any of them tested positive,” Mills toldVariety.
“You just never know, so we always have alternates.
Maybe next time, we don’t have to bring in as many people.”
A lot of us were especially disappointed by the departure of 24-year-old ballerina Alicia Holloway.
She worked as an apprentice at Suzanne Farrell Ballet before landing her current job at Dance Theater of Harlem.
Holloway is also a ballet teacher and you canschedule a private lessonwith her either in person or on Zoom.
It’s only recently that she has decided to speak publicly about it.
“I was having panic attacks all the time,” she said, recalling her childhood anxiety.
I would stumble over words."
Dancing has actually helped Holloway cope with her anxiety.
“With dance, I express myself with my body, without having to talk,” she explained.
“When I am dancing, I forget I’m anxious.”
“I only focused on ballet.
I wasn’t inspired by anything else besides dance,” she recalled.
Although ballet remains her main passion, Holloway has found other activities that she enjoys.
She explained that her contract with The Dance Theater of Harlem is for 32 weeks of the year.
During those weeks, it’s all ballet all the time.
But during her 20 weeks off, Holloway explores other interests like traveling.
“I think it’s something so beautiful and unique.
It broadens my horizons, even when it comes to dancing.”
Holloway also enjoys reading, writing, playing golf, and meeting new people.
“That inspires me because you meet people from all different walks of life,” she said.
“It gives you a new perspective on everything.”
Holloway does other dance performance gigs and teaches ballet.
Maybe she has a future as the nextBachelorette.
