"People are going to see my character onscreen and how I handle situations, and hopefully that’s what makes them proud regardless of what color I am," says the star of season 29, which premiered Monday.

"The Bachelor" star also shares his thoughts on Linda the llama, reconnecting with his father, and kissing seven (!) women on night one.

It’s typical to see about a third of the contestants sent home on Night 1. Joey Graziadei eliminated 10 of his starting 32 in Season 28, and before him, Zach Shallcross sent 10 of 30 home. Grant Ellis started with fewer women and therefore didn’t have quite as many Night 1 goodbyes.