The Truth About The Bachelor's Magi Tareke
One of Matt James' suitors on the 2021 season of The Bachelor is Magi Tareke, a "beautiful, kindhearted woman whose striking looks are only a small part of her story." As per her official Bachelor bio, she grew up in the small village of Adwa in Ethiopia and moved to America after winning the Diversity Visa Lotto (also known as the green card lottery). Magi called the experience the "scariest thing" she has ever done, but has zero regrets about her decision to move away as it presented her with many opportunities she may have otherwise never gotten. For this reason, she never takes anything for granted.
Though potentially meeting the love of your life on a reality TV show is uncommon for most people, Magi's bio states, "meeting Matt will be a very new and exciting experience" for her because "she grew up in a place where arranged marriages were very common." But despite her native traditions, Magi is determined to show women back home in Ethiopia that she — and everyone else — deserves to choose the person they want to love and be with.
It's unclear if Magi will win Matt's heart or how far she'll make it on The Bachelor, but keep scrolling to learn more about her.
Magi Tareke wants a partner in life
Magi Tareke is "loyal, honest and has a very positive outlook on the world," according to her Bachelor bio, with people often describing her as "being too nice." However, she has a different perspective as she sees her "kindness as her biggest strength and knows there is power and resilience behind."
As for what she's looking for in a relationship, Magi wants a "partner in life," as well as someone "she can share everything with and who has a love and compassion for culture like she does." She also wants a man who she can "explore" with and play fun games like ping pong — a sport she grew up playing in Ethiopia.
This sounds like traits Bachelor Matt James possesses and certainly qualities he wants in a wife. In June 2020, he told Good Morning America (via Glamour) that the perfect woman for him is someone who's "selfless, honest, caring, compassionate — qualities found in women all shapes and sizes."
Magi Tareke is a woman of faith
One thing we know for sure about Bachelor Matt James is that he's a man of faith and possesses deep Christian values. He made that very clear during night one of his season, when he recited a prayer after meeting his suitors. According to Refinery29, he said: "Dear Heavenly Father, thank you for bringing us all together healthy. Give these women the courage to get through these next few months. You say that you work all things for the good of those who love you and are called according to your purpose, Father God. And I feel like that's why I'm here and I feel like that's why these women are here, Lord."
Though he and contestant Magi Tarake have not yet discussed the topic of religion (at least not on camera), faith is important to her as well. Not only does she have "God First" in her Instagram bio but she's shared a number of Bible passages in her posts. "Happy Sunday!!! The Lord is my strength and my shield. My heart has trusted in him and I am helped. Therefore my heart greatly rejoices. With my song I will thank Him. Psalm 28:7," Magi wrote on Jan. 3, 2021. She also captioned another post of herself reciting an Ethiopian prayer in August 2020, "A beautiful day celebrating the Assumptions of the Holy Virgin Mary. May her Intercession and blessing be with us now and forever. Amen. Happy holidays to all my Ethiopian Christian Orthodox followers."
Magi Tareke want to raise awareness about the war in Ethiopia
Bachelor Season 25 contestant Magi Tareke may have moved to the U.S., but she still holds Ethiopia close to her heart — especially when it comes to raising awareness about the war in Tigray. She often shares Instagram posts about what's going on, including one on Christmas 2020 in which she revealed she's raising money to help. "My heart is hurting for my people in Tigray and people around the world that are not able to enjoy the same 'Christmas' as more fortunate people," she captioned the photo. "I'm spending my Christmas trying to raise money for children that have been displaced because of the War in Ethiopia."
Magi also dedicated her New Year's 2020 post to the "mothers and children who lost their lives and are still suffering because of the current war in Tigray." She wrote, "2020 has been a tough year for a lot of people, especially the Tigray people in Ethiopia. The past two months have been some of the most difficult times of my life mentally bc of the war in my home, being disconnected from my family, my brother not receiving his medication even though I am a pharmacist and I have access to all that he needs. My heart hurts but I am hoping 2021 brings my people peace and the basics human necessities."
Magi Tareke has a doctorate degree and runs a non-profit organization
Bachelor contestant Magi Tareke is a professional model, according to her bio, with Bustle reporting she's represented by The Artist Agency and has appeared in a number of magazines and ad campaigns over the years. She's also had the chance to work with some big brands and meet A-list talent like Chanel Iman. But other than modeling, Magi is also a pharmacist after earning a Doctor of Pharmacy degree.
She told The Bachelor ahead of the 25th season that she takes pride in doing both jobs, since it shows "young women back in Ethiopia you can do both, and that you can achieve anything you set your mind to!" On top of all that, Magi also runs a non-profit called My Shoes Your Shoes, which she founded in 2014 to provide "shoes to girls in developing nations so they can safely walk to school," according to the organization's website, and has since donated shoes to more than 500 girls in Adwa and its neighboring villages.
Whether or not she makes it to the end of Matt James' season, this woman's heart is in the right place.