Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James's love story is defined as a rollercoaster, up and down. Rachael finding a true love journey is the most dramatic in Bachelor's history. The pair were first met during the 25th season show Bachelor.
Let's find out about their relationship timeline.
Rachael Kirkconnell And Matt James Romance Begin
Rachael Kirkconnell indeed felt a spiritual connection with Matt James when he took a moment to choose 32 women who showed up on night one in hopes of finding love. When Rachael saw James, she had a secret crush on him but didn't expect strong feelings early on.
One-on-one dates changed everything about their relationship, and it was the moment when their relationship took the next step. Matt confessed his love for the first time.
During an interview with the US, Matt opened up about the weight of using the word love on the show.
Next week after the couple's first date, Matt confirmed to Rachael that he didn't change his feeling about the group date rose. Rachael admitted that she had finally found the love of her life and didn't want to end it.
Matt and Rachael have confirmed their love during the episode aired on March 8, in which they spent overnight in the fantasy suite. After spending an overnight in the fantasy suite, Matt and Rachael were utterly head over heels for each other.
In the final episode of The Bachelor, Rachael's journey wrapped up in the show in November 2020, and Matt couldn't get down on one knee. But, despite not proposing, in the final Rose recipient, Matt said that he wanted to pursue his relationship off-screen, and Rachael also agreed to his proposal.
The Racism Controversy, An Apology, and The Break-up
The allegation against Rachael surfaced online after the episode aired in January 2021. As the show premier, past hunt Rachael due to racist criticism. A TikTok user accused her of being racist in high school.
Screenshots of Instagram photos Rachael liked people smiling in front of Confederate flags surfaced via social media. Someone from the platform acclaimed that she knew Rachael from high school, and she used to bully her for dating black men.
Matt addressed rumors about her girlfriend on February 2 in Entertainment Tonight for the first time that he had not spoken to anybody after the show ended. Matt told Entertainment Tonight. that Rumors are dark and nasty and can ruin people's lives and is hopeful that Rachael has addressed it.
Later that month, new photos surfaced of Rachael attending an antebellum-themed party in 2018. Additional images of her dressed as a Native American also made the rounds.
Longtime host Chris Harrison commented on the scandal during a February 9 interview with Extra youtube channel and former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay and supported her.
The backlash to the interview was huge, and he resigned from the show.
After one month later the racist controversy, On February 11, Rachael officially apologized for her immature behavior on Instagram. In her statement, she addressed that no one was qualified to educate her, and she knew that she was wrong and ashamed of her behavior. In addition, Rachael wrote that she was just a teenager at that time.
On February 22, again, Rachael requested her followers to stop defending her and posting an 8-minute long video on Instagram. She further confessed that now she knew the weight of hurting the community and asked fans to stop defending her and support every community race.
In just mid- February 2021, Matt and Rachael announced that they were no longer in a romantic relationship. Although Matt didn't address their break-up until February 22, he was devastated about it and the most challenging moment of his life.
Soon in the aired special episode of After the Final Rose on March 8, Rachael spoke about the break-up moment. When Matt called Rachael on the phone about a break-up, Rachael was also devastating. And she says that he has lost the love of her life.
Although Rachael said she was still in love with Matt, Rachael told host Emmanuel Acho that they needed time apart.
After the particular episode aired, Rachael took Instagram to reflect on her past experiences. While sharing the carousel of photos from the season, she wrote that she fell in love with Matt when she saw them and wished that they didn't go a separate way and would cherish the memory of spending together and felt blessed to fall in love with him.
The Reunion Didn't Seem Like Fans Expected
Matt and Rachael were spotted together in New York in April 2021. However, it's worth noting that there were some conflicting reports. A source told Us Weekly that they wanted to spend time together privately but were caught by paparazzi; they were FaceTime every day.
According to E!, the couple had no plans to revisit their romance soon and wanted to befriend each other.
After their reunion in New York, fans speculated that they might be together, but it happened the opposite of what fans thought. According to Us Weekly's source, Rachael felt devastating when she found out Grace and James had reportedly been dating. The insider further said that Grace and Rachael both dumped him after knowing that he dated both women simultaneously.
Us Weekly's insider said that Rachael is very emotional and hoping to work out things between them, and they don't seem like getting back together. According to an E! News source, Rachael expressed how upset she was but ultimately decided to cut off the contract with each other. Rachael was utterly broken up and didn't want to talk about it.
According to another source regarding Matt in April 202, Matt was not looking for another relationship as he recently broke up with Rachael. Instead, Matt wanted to be friends with her and support her. A source further said that Matt is a caring and supportive person; he won't leave her out of his life.
Matt and Rachael were spotted together in California in late April, grabbing food with friends. Paparazzi capture their photo going to JuneShine bar in Santa Monica and walking through the city.
The couple put their past aside and tried their best to be together. Matt confirmed that he had seen been reconciled with Rachael since their split. However, he told People the same month that he didn't want to pursue another relationship and wanted to focus on his current relationship.
Soon after Matt's declaration to focus on the relationship with Rachael, they were both spotted together in NYC in May 2021. In a May interview with WSJ, Matt explained why he decided not to give up their relationship.
Rachael also confirmed to the magazine through the email that they got back together, noting that their newfound relationship made it easier to move forward.
Matt And Rachael Reunion And Rekindle Their Romance
Matt revealed that their reconciliation resulted from the deadline on the Pomp podcast appearance in May 2021.
During an interview with Extra, Matt, and Rachael, who recently reconciled their relationship, seriously revealed their romance, revealing that these days mainly focus on each other. Kirkconnell said their journey was a bit hefty, and they are in an excellent place to focus on each other and let their past be put aside.
While James and Kirkconnell are happy, they share that they need time to trust each other completely.
While Matt was preparing for his debut in the reality dancing show The Dancing with the Stars, James jokingly pleaded to apologize to her girlfriend on Instagram for watching the entire HBO series Mare of Easttown without Kirkconnell. Meanwhile, Kirkconnell has been busy attending Fashion Week events and the U.S. Open Tennis Championships in New York City.
Matt began his apology by writing across his Instagram Story video post saying he's sorry that he watched the entire show without her.
Matt teases a conclusion while posting a second video on his Instagram story.
In response to Matt's apology, Rachael wrote that she would beg him to watch the series start over from the beginning.
Rachael Supports Her Boyfriend For His Debut On 'Dancing With The Stars'
Since getting back together, Matt and Rachael have gone on many trips, including a steamy, PDA-filled vacation to Miami and a luxurious Aspen getaway. Then, in July, they made their relationship official debut red carpet at the ESPYS.
The couple is preparing for the former Bachelor Matt to do his Dancing With the Stars debut. On September 9, Kirkconnell shared a behind-the-scenes clip of her boyfriend showing off his silly dance moves at home.
Despite all of the teasing, Matt said that Rachael has been very supportive leading up to the Season 30 premiere, which airs on September 20. After admitting that he's been icing his feet after rehearsals, James told E! News Daily Pop how Kirkconnell helps him recover.
Rachael Kirkconnell Net Worth And Career Details
Rachael Kirkconnell is known for winning the season 25 Bachelor. She is also known for the date of Matt James in the show Bachelor. Rachael Kirkconnell's net worth is not known, however, her boyfriend Matt James has a net worth of $250 thousand.
Rachael attended Georgia College & State University and graduated in April 2019. Kirkconnell is a graphic designer from Cumming, Georgia, an Alpha Delta Pi sorority member.
According to ABC Bio, Kirkconnell has a favorite time pass hobby: doodling, makings sense that she is a graphic designer.
In addition to her work, Kirkconnell is elegant with organization and cleanliness and hates slow drivers, so she's all about traveling to a different place and exploring it. So Rachael keeps posting a picture of another location on her social media profile.
Rachael was the participant in the 25th season of Bachelor. With the partnership with Matt James, the couple won the competition.