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Matt James a Rachael Kirkconnell‘s Bachelor a love story was a journey — on and off the screen.
ABC named Matt as the season 25 lead in June 2020, after that revealing that the series has received a record number of submissions from contestants. Among the 38 women who had the chance to meet Matt was Rachael, a graphic designer from Georgia. Although she did not get the desired first impression she rose (Abigail Heringer did), caught Matt’s eye on one night. (season 25 of The Bachelor filmed at Nemacolin Resort in fall 2020 and premiering in January 2021.)
While Matt and Rachael were dropping L-bombs on the series, she was making headlines for her past racist actions, including photos of her at an “Old South” themed frat party in 2018. The controversy escalated after Chris Harrison ask for supporters have a “grace” for Rachael as they navigate the scandal. The Georgia native broke her silence in February 2021, two days after the host’s interview and more than a month since she first came under fire. Rachael’s mother, Kim Kirkconnell, too protect her daughter and hinted at how the situation could affect their potential happy ending.
“If he chooses Rachael, and stands by her, then you know Matt loves her,” Kim said. The Sun. “If he chooses Rachael, and then leaves her, then it wasn’t meant to be, and there’s someone else out there for her.”
During The Bachelor: After the Final Rose in March 2021, fans learned that Matt and Rachael called for him to quit while the show was airing. A month later, the two rekindled their relationship. Matt and Rachael dated for four years before him announce their split in January 2025.
Scroll through for a complete timeline of Matt and Rachael’s relationship:
