Matt James’ journey to find love is officially underway — and ABC executive Robert Mills is answering Bachelor Nation’s burning questions about season 25.

“Episode one I always view as the pregame show,” the head of ABC’s Alternative Series, Specials & Late-Night Programming began on the Tuesday, January 12, episode of Nick Viall’s “Viall Files” podcast. “There’s a lot of root-ability, but there’s some ridiculousness [this season] as well.”

The 29-year-old former football player kicked off his journey during the January 4 premiere with a prayer at Nemacolin Resort in Pennsylvania.

“I didn’t expect [the prayer] to be such a hot-button [topic] of interest. And I actually understand some of it, [when people ask], ’What if this had been someone of a different domination?’” Mills told the season 21 Bachelor. “I have heard somebody say in the prayer, like, ‘Please either bow your head in the manner you’re accustomed to or whatever.’ But this is a guy, he just met 32 women. … The fact that he didn’t tell people, like, ‘Hey if this is not OK with you.’ … He didn’t mean —”

Nick, 40, then injected, “It’s just a prayer, it’s not going to burn you.”

Religion also made headlines during The Bachelorette season 16 finale after Tayshia Adams eliminated Ivan Hall, implying there were religious differences between them.

“That’s on us for not clarifying that as much as we could,” Mills said, referring to Ivan’s sudden exit.

Ivan later confirmed that he identifies as “agnostic,” which was a deal breaker for Tayshia.

“Atheist is taking a hard stance that there is no God, and that’s not what I believe at all. It’s completely different things, but everybody confuses it. Agnostic is strictly saying, I don’t know, basically,” he explained on Kaitlyn Bristowe’s “Off the Vine” podcast in December. “I’m gonna tell our kids, I don’t know what there is, and then you can tell the kids whatever you want, and you can take them to church, that’s completely fine with me. For Tayshia, it’s something different, where she, I guess, actually wanted to date someone who is Christian. And that’s completely fine, and that’s how a lot of people are.”

While there was a discussion on social media about Matt’s opening night prayer, Nick noted that the Wake Forest alum “set the stage for whatever is important to him,” which is key for his future wife to know. “If that’s something that’s a big part of his life and he wants [it] to be a big part of his relationship, it makes sense,” he said. “It also would make sense if it does make someone uncomfortable if they’re not into it, but that’s a discussion then maybe we will have.”

The Bachelor airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.

Scroll through for the biggest takeaways from Mills:

Pastor Kimberly Jones, better known as “The Real Talk Kim,” released a new e-course series to go along with her latest book, Shut Hell Up: When the Enemy Brings Up Your Past, and explained why she broke free from her religious past and found freedom in Jesus. 

Real Talk Kim travels the world with the goal of “loving people back to life.” The bestselling author has gained national recognition with appearances on “The Doctor Oz Show,” “Preachers of Atlanta,” “CNN,” “Nightline,” and numerous radio shows.

Now her first e-course is said to provide a learning experience where students can watch or listen to her teachings as she offers practical tools to help people shut the devil up and embrace who God says they are. 

In a recent interview with The Christian Post, Real Talk Kim said she brought in the new year at her Limitless Church in Fayetteville, Georgia. They all had “a Holy Ghost Party,” she said.

The book, Shut Hell Up, was birthed out of the lessons she learned to silence the lies of the enemy. Now she hopes her e-course will help others delve deeper as well.

“My whole life I struggled with crazy fear and self-talk. Always afraid of not measuring up to whatever crazy expectations I had placed on my life and what I felt others expected of me,” Real Talk Kim told CP.

She added, “I finally discovered how to shut the hell up in my own mind and thoughts at about 40 years old, and it changed my life. I knew I had to put this in print as a tool to help others conquer that enemy in between their ears. We are victorious!!”

The minister was raised United Pentecostal where she was not allowed to wear pants, makeup but has noticeably departed from the religiosity that came from her upbringing. Now, the Real Talk Kim’s unique style and look have helped her popularity among certain Christians circles, particularly among women. 

“When I truly found Jesus for myself, it became my lifestyle to be like Jesus, not just act like Jesus,” she shared of why she departed from her upbringing. “My focus became paying attention to my heart posture instead of my works. I learned how to love like Christ loves. It was a game-changer for me.”

“Religion doesn’t get you into Heaven,” she maintained, adding that a “relationship with Jesus is the most incredible gift on this planet.”

Real Talk Kim stressed that “religion judges” but “Jesus loves.” She emphasized that the more people “speak the promises of God over your life, the more power and victory you see being fulfilled in your life.”

The mother of two also emphasized that in an age of distraction it’s important for individuals to “pay attention” to their heart posture.

She maintained, “Do a heart check. Your responsibility is that!”

Real Talk Kim went on to share advice for anyone struggling with their faith coming into the New Year because of the lies of the enemy.

“Stop focusing on what we are going through in the natural and focus on what God is doing,” she advised. “Even when we can’t see Him moving on our behalf He is. Stop telling your God how big your mountain is and begin telling your mountain how big your God is!”

The Georgia resident appeals to all cultures and races. 

She equates her reach to everyone to her “heart posture for Jesus.”

“I made sure it’s never about me and always about changing and pointing everyone to Jesus,” Real Talk Kim concluded. “He’s the answer!”

For more e-course information and registration visit the website.

Taylor Swift’s sexual assault verdict has been brought up as the Supreme Court is considering whether to resume a lawsuit filed in 2016 by Georgia college student Chike Uzuegbunam against his school for allegedly restricting him from speaking about his religious views.

According to Uzuegbunam’s appeal, members of his college staff violated his First Amendment rights by forcing him to refrain from talking about his Christian faith on campus grounds. Gwinnett College in Georgia later reconsidered the strict speech code and the legal appeal was dismissed in 2017 by a district court judge, saying the case was moot. 

After the US Court of Appeals confirmed that ruling, Uzuegbunam decided to appeal to the Supreme Court.

“In July 2019, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the 11th Circuit agreed with that ruling. It was as though what had happened to me didn’t matter. But how important is freedom if those who impinge on it are never told that their rules are unconstitutional, are never put on notice that they can’t simply change the rules when someone protests and are then free to return to their unconstitutional ways whenever they like? I decided to continue fighting for legal recognition that what happened to me violated my constitutional rights. I wasn’t seeking money; I just wanted to make sure that my college and other public institutions know that they are legally bound to honour the Constitution”, Uzuegbunam wrote in an op-ed for The Washington Post.

On Tuesday, the Supreme Court justices debated about whether the case can move forward. Uzuegbunam is demanding just $1 and a declaration from the school that they acted unlawfully. Chief Justice John Roberts noted that the case is problematic due to its minuscule payout.

Justice Elena Kagan pointed out that “people can’t bring a suit for pure vindication alone … for the psychic satisfaction that it gives to hear a court say that”. She mentioned the Taylor Swift sexual harassment case, describing it as “the most famous nominal damages case in recent times”, as the singer had asked the court for $1 in a symbolic move.

According to Justice Kagan, the pop star was “not really interested in your money” while a dollar was a representation of something both to her and to the women who have experienced sexual assault.

“That’s what happened. The jury gave her $1. Why isn’t that the same as this? The petitioner here says he was harmed. He wasn’t able to speak when he should have been able to speak…He’s just asking for $1 to redress that harm”, Kagan said.

In 2013, Taylor Swift and David Mueller, who worked as a radio host, met at a photoshoot when he, according to the singer, suddenly put his hand under her skirt and groped her. Swift did not stir up a scandal, but reported the inappropriate behaviour to the station direction, and he was fired. Mueller sued Swift for pressing his bosses but the pop star filed a counterclaim of sexual harassment. Mueller’s appeal was rejected while Swift won the case.