The search is on for the next man to lead another romantic season of The Bachelor.
In June 2025, news broke that ABC decided to renew its popular reality show for a 30th season.
According to Deadline, The Bachelor will now feature a new showrunner named Scott Teti. (He currently holds the title of executive producer and showrunner of Bachelor in Paradise season 10.)
Although a premiere date and cast have yet to be announced, it hasn’t stopped Bachelor Nation from speculating as to who could serve as the season’s leading man.
Contestants Who Were in Talks to Be the Bachelor or Bachelorette
“If it’s outside the franchise, they have to be a fairly big celebrity,” former Bachelor Ben Higgins exclusively told Us Weekly at iHeartRadio and Vrbo’s Celebrity Pickleball tournament in July 2025. “You can’t go for some C-lister that was in some random Hallmark movie. I don’t think people are gonna buy that. I still think getting somebody from the past would be great.”
Before ABC makes an official announcement, keep reading to see what members of the franchise have to say:
Leslie Fhima
After having the opportunity to film with Jonathon Johnson on season 10 of Bachelor in Paradise, Leslie expressed her support for the creative director from Kansas City, Missouri.
“I pick Jonathon from Paradise,” the former Golden Bachelor contestant told Us. “I love him dearly. I think he’d be an amazing Bachelor who’s fun, adorable, funny and kind. Every one of us — not just me — but we all want him to find love. I think he’d be really good.”
Ben Higgins
“There were some rumors going around with Jason Tartick and Dale Moss,” the cohost of iHeartRadio’s “Almost Famous” podcast shared with Us. “I really would love the Andrew Spencers – whatever happens in Paradise – the Greg Grippos. I still think those guys could bring an audience back in. … Andrew’s desirable. He’s been on our TVs long enough, low-maintenance, easy to root for. He kind of has a built-in fan base that could just grow.”
When looking at the most recent season of The Bachelorette, Ben can’t picture one of Jenn Tran’s guys taking on the role.
“I really don’t know who they would have from last season,” he said. “I can’t think of one name coming off of that season where I was like, ‘That guy.’”
Theresa Nist
“Oh, my goodness. Who’s really available?” Theresa joked to Us in between watching new episodes of Bachelor in Paradise. “Can we say Brad Pitt? If he was single, he would be incredible to watch. We’re dreaming really big.”
Sadly, Brad is taken and currently dating jewelry designer Ines de Ramon.
Bob Guiney
Although it’s been nearly 22 years since Bob was the lead of The Bachelor season 4, he still gets excited about which man could take on the role next.
“I like Jason Tartick. I’ve always loved Jason,” the cohost of iHeartRadio’s “Almost Famous OG” podcast shared with Us. “He’s a big mama’s boy, which I love. He loves his mom, Caluch, who we all love. Jason would be really good. He’s been around Bachelor Nation for a while too. People know him.”
Jonathon also grabbed the attention of Bob, partly because of how he interacted with April Kirkwood on Bachelor in Paradise.
“I think that Jonathon has always been a fan favorite for the younger crowd, but I think that watching Paradise and his whole situation with April was kind of neat,” Bob explained. He’s a very sweet guy, harmless and it appears his heart is in the right place and he doesn’t take himself too seriously.”
Gary Levingston
When asked who could be the next Bachelor, Gary wanted to recommend someone he met while filming The Golden Bachelorette.
“I think Jonathan Michel Rone would be an amazing Bachelor,” he shared with Us. “From this season’s Paradise, there is a young man who I think would be a fabulous addition, although he might be dating someone. That’s the thing, right? In Paradise, everyone [is] matched up with someone.”
