'Bachelor' Juan Pablo Galavis to Sizzle as the First Latino in the Reality TV Show's History
In the wake of Britney Spears' recent comments about Latino men -- re-enforcing the Latin-lover stereotype and bad-boy image -- her reaction wasn't that far off (but her attempt to mock Spanish was). The pop star's attraction towards Latinos parallels the excitement women are having around the country as ABC's The Bachelor gears up for its 18th season, featuring the first Latino Bachelor in the popular reality TV show's history.
So what's the allure of Latin men and all what's all the fuss about?
I'll tell you in just three words -- Juan Pablo Galavis.
A former contestant on the The Bachelorette, the 32-year-old Venezuelan-American soccer player had his ego bruised on the sixth episode, when he was dismissed by Desiree Hartsock in the romantic city of Barcelona, Spain.
His dismissal may have brought a frown to Galavis's face, but it brought many smiles to women across the country and abroad, hoping to get a shot at dating the sexy Latino.
The Sports and Entertainment consultant is also a single dad; he has a 5-year-old daughter named Camila who isn't easy to be away from.
"It's a process. You have to think a lot. I knew I [had] to be here the entire season, so it was going to be time away from my daughter," Galavis told People. "Also, I hate hurting people, and you have to say goodbye to a lot of people. But you have to take the risk to meet people, and I see every opportunity as a positive thing. You can meet people in a club or restaurant, and you don't know if that person wants to get married, have kids, is on the same page. This [was] 27 people who knew a little bit about me and what I wanted. It's not easy to find [your] somebody. I thought maybe this would be easier, so I took the chance."
Galavis made history as the first Latino on The Bachelor. The reality dating show received a lot of criticism as well as lawsuits -- that ABC has received for allegedly excluding minorities or people of color in its castings.
Born in New York, Galavis grew up in Venezuela since the age of two. There, he played soccer before moving back to the states to play college soccer at Roberts Wesleyan College. He now lives in Miami, according to The Huffington Post.
"After soccer -- and once his daughter was born -- Galavis did not want to move away from Miami, so he began working in the music business where he promoted the Miami bar and club scene and also promoted duet Chino y Nacho. It earned them a record deal with Universal Music Latin.
"He's been on TV way before 'The Bachelorette.'" The Huffington Post adds, "Galavis did some work as a presenter on a Miami sports TV show, Mega Sports, and has appeared in several commercials. I guess the camera has always taken a liking to him."
Entrevista a Greivis Vasquez para Mega Sports
So what does this hunk of a man look for in a woman?
"Smart, fun, honest, likes sports a little bit and somebody that knew how to dance because that's one of my biggest turn-ons. But in this situation I say to myself, 'Juan Pablo, not all of them will be good dancers. Just get to know them [first].' I want somebody very independent career-wise. I want to have kids right away. I just need them to be themselves," he told People.
Although he may look it, Galavis isn't perfect, and dating him comes with some conditions.
"I can be stubborn. I like to eat a lot, so if you don't, you're kind of screwed. I'm a fatty. Nutella, Doritos with salsa. Venezuelan food. Pequenos," he admitted to People. "On weekends, I just want to lie in bed watching sports and relax and some people love weekends to go out. I can be sarcastic. My daughter is my priority, so if you have a plan with me and my daughter calls, I have to go with her."
Doritos anyone?
Tune in to the next season of ABC's The Bachelor with Juan Pablo on Sunday, Jan. 5, with a special two-night event. The premiere episode will air at 8 p.m. on Sunday, and first rose ceremony will air on Monday, Jan. 6, at 8 p.m.