With The Bachelor Australia Season 11 in pre-production, we have the tea on the first fella to be cast in the upcoming instalment — James Parr.
As previously reported by So Dramatic!, the series is set to have multiple leads once again, despite the sh*tshow of 2023 in which none of the three men had successful relationships.
We also had intel that a couple of men are currently in talks with producers, with one claiming he’s been “hand-selected” for the show.
Now, as reported in episode 289 of the So Dramatic! podcast, a Channel Ten insider confirmed to host Megan Pustetto that a “diverse” bloke has been cast.
“One of the Bachelors that they’ve picked and [are] working with this year is James Parr,” they said.
Naturally, we did some more digging and learnt a whole lot about James, who is a queer, First Nations triathlete.
What else do we know about James Parr?
James, whose Instagram reveals he’s a Wiradjuri model, is a Melbourne-based amputee.
He lost his right leg below the knee after being diagnosed with cancer — an aggressive osteosarcoma — in his ankle at 21 years old.
“[He is] sharing his story, and lived experiences to champion inclusion and representation for the disabled community within mainstream media/fashion industries,” James’ website reads.
“As a Queer, First Nations Triathlete, James has represented not only at Melbourne Fashion Week & Melbourne Fashion Festival but too Australian Afterpay Fashion Week [sic].”
His “passion for disability advocacy” has shone through content creation and his modelling career, during which he has worked with Vogue, GQ Australia, The Iconic and Champion.
James’ website also revealed that he is currently on the committee for the Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion Advisory Group for the board of Triathlon Australia. Impressive stuff!
The Bachelor Australia insiders reveal process behind James Parr’s casting
According to our insider, Channel Ten want The Bachelor “to be more wholesome” this time around.
“So they’ve brought James along as one of the Bachelors to try and tick off some diversity,” they confessed.
“James is bisexual, so they’re having contestants of both sexes.”
However, they “haven’t fully worked out how they will do this again”. They also aren’t sure whether “it will be the same format as last season where they had the ‘speed dating’ set up”.
According to the source, Ten are “trying to do more” to boost viewership and ratings.
“I think James will be an interesting choice,” they added. “He will also be the first Bachie with a disability, so it will be interesting to see how that goes.
“He’s Indigenous too, so it’s basically another Brooke Blurton but male and with a disability… I think it will be good.”
What do we know about the other The Bachelor Season 11 leads?
Now onto the other leading men.
The insider dished that a “guy from Perth” is in the process of being cast.
However, “nothing on the other two is set in stone at this stage”.
But don’t fret because “there will be an announcement coming in the next month or so”.
It comes after sources told So Dramatic! that a Darwin-based fella is in talks with producers. Meanwhile, some dude named Ben Walters (who’s also friends with MAFS‘ Lizzie Sobinoff) has been telling mates that he’s been “hand-selected” for the show.
Stay tuned!
Want even more goss? Listen to the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto below!
Know something that we don’t? Spill the tea here!
Get the tea first! Follow So Dramatic! on Instagram and tune in on Mondays to get your reality tea fix with the So Dramatic! podcast with Megan Pustetto.
