On Thursday, Jan. 29 at Twelve Hotel Atlantic Station in Atlanta WE tv hosted a preview screening for their new reality series “Match Made in Heaven,” starring millionaire bachelor Shawn Bullard. The event, which kicked off with red carpet arrivals and cocktails, was followed by a Q-and-A session moderated by the star himself. Some of the attendees included Stacii Jae (“From the Bottom Up”/CENTRIC), Priyanka Banks (“Sorority Girls”/VH1), Cynthia Bailey (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”/BRAVO), Maja Sly (WE tv talent), Claudia Jordan (“Real Housewives of Atlanta”/BRAVO) and many more.
Bullard is a wealthy real estate agent and former athlete in search of the love of his life. But, don’t get it twisted. Bullard isn’t going on this quest alone. WE tv has put a unique twist on the dating game show by sending him help from Pastor Ken Johnson, the spiritual adviser to the Indianapolis Colts. And with 24 competitive women living under one roof, someone has to keep the house in order, so who better than his forthright mother? Bullard is not only making history by starring in the network’s first dating reality show but he is also noted as the first African American bachelor. Bullard certainly seems like a stand-up guy. Hopefully, he will have found a suitable match by the end of the show. Bullard told rolling out, “I am the guy you want to meet and the guy you will never forget.”
Check out the highlights from the Q-and-A here. –lauren martinez
On his background story …
I was a young man raised in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, with both my mother and father. I attended a Division I school in the city called Temple University where I was a standout athlete. From that point on I started a real estate investment firm, which I knew was going to become my passion. Although, I did have a small career in the NFL for two years after things didn’t go as planned, I went hard with with my real estate firm, which has grown into a nice, sizable portfolio.
On how he got into the real estate industry …
I really wanted to be in a business where I call the shots. One day your career in football could come to an abrupt ending. Some people look at football as a once in a lifetime opportunity, but I looked at me getting into the real estate business at the time that I struck as a once in a lifetime opportunity. Being an African-American in the real estate development game is unheard of and a pretty amazing feat. I Iooked at real estate as something I really wanted to do and something that could become generational wealth that I could hand down to my kids and their kids. I always said, “I wanted to be the guy upgrading my Ferrari at 40 instead of the guy that the league doesn’t want anymore so now he can’t afford it.
On why he is doing the show …
I’m doing the show to find the one and whatever comes out of that it will be an experience in itself. For me to leave my life behind for that period of time and my business to do anything is serious. Also, to see the women as the show went on and just observe how engaged and serious they were was deep for me. Some of the women even fell in love. I knew that the least I could do for all the women was given them all of me and you will see that when the show airs. The show is like nothing you have ever seen before, of course, because there’s never been a black bachelor. The show is definitely a real live fantasy. I don’t pressured being the first African American bachelor. I feel honored and I feel deserving. I have built myself up to be that.
On his relationship with his mother …
She is everything to me! She is a woman that women should look up to. She is proud of me but I am more proud of her. I feel like I have the best mom in the world and I don’t hide from saying that to anybody. I consider her an old fashion throwback mom and it’s a lot of mom’s out there like that. She went to work from a nine-to-five job, picked us up from school, and made sure we ate at home. She always made sure we stayed out of trouble and didn’t run around with the wrong girls. For her to look so beautiful at 67 years old makes me just stop and stare at her sometimes just to make sure she is a real person. She is an amazing woman and an inspiration for me. I appreciate how she keeps me and my business in check. For her to retire and come to my office and help my business flourish allowing me to do other things is special. A lot of people can say that there mom would not have been able to take on that feat. All her hard work just shows how intelligent and well spoken she is. She can certainly charm a room. I love her to death!
On his ideal woman …
My ideal woman is a woman that is confident in herself. She is someone who listens, but is a little bossy. She always aspires to be better for herself. She comes in all shapes and sizes. I like the model type, but I really love woman who has meat on her bones. She has curves, but can be tall or short. I also like a woman that has little insecurity for me to help bring her up. Everything that I would bring to the table I want that in a woman. I want a woman that knows she is bad. I am a man that likes to bring the best out of any woman and that takes a specific skill.
“Match Made in Heaven” premieres on WE tv, Wednesday, Feb. 4 at 8 p.m. EST.
