Matt James & Rachael Kirkconnell Split: What Went Wrong? (Except)

As Bachelor Nation waits for him Rachael Kirkconnell to break his silence on his split from Matt Jamesa source gives Us Weekly unique insight into their relationship.

“The split may seem sudden, but this has been brewing for a while. It was a long time coming,” the source said. “Matt couldn’t commit to her.”

James, 33, and Kirkconnell, 28, met on season 25 of The Bachelor, choose so far after the show instead of getting engaged. While they are separated briefly as the show aired, they were back together by spring 2021. James announced on Thursday, January 16, that they had called it quits.

According to the source, the duo struggled with trust issues. “It was hard for Rachael to trust him,” says the source Us.

Still, “Rachael really wanted to get married and settle down and they weren’t on the same page,” the source continues. “She felt like she was waiting around, and he would never give her what she wanted.”

Although “they’re both very upset” about the break-up, according to the source, Kirkconnell is “ready to move on” and knows “it’s for the best.”

During their four-year relationship, James and Kirkconnell were often asked about plans to take the next step. A few weeks before the cut, Kirkconnell was interacting with fans via Instagram asking for a proposal, joking that he would pop the question to James “next Thursday”. Last June, James said Us that he intended to marry Kirkconnell.

“We’re doing great. I feel like when you feel pressure, that’s when you don’t want to do something,” he told sight360 Us at the time. “So I’ve never really felt pressure (to get engaged) because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. It’s something we’ll do at some point. That’s why we’re together and what we’re working towards. I’m excited about our future.”

Over the years, the two were also very active on social media, with James posting videos of their recent trip to London as recently as Wednesday, January 15. As a result, his breakup announcement came as a shock to many fans. (Us noticed that James often posts his travel content on a delay, so it’s likely that the pair are no longer abroad together, but they haven’t confirmed when their trip took place.)

“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts,” James wrote on Thursday. “Give us peace regarding this decision to end our relationship that goes beyond worldly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our joy comes from you, Lord 💔.”

While some fans questioned the religious tone of the post, James has been open about his faith in the past, even starting his Bachelor tour with a prayer. Kirkconnell is tagged in the statement – written alongside a photo from their season of the ABC show – but has not shared the post. She later “liked” a comment on her own page that hinted at James or her split an announcement blinded him. Us understands that she was surprised by the post and not the breakup itself.

“The more I think about it, the more I think he completely blindsided her with this,” the comment read. “Give her a little grace and let her respond in her own time.”

Us Weekly have reached out to James and Kirkconnell for comment.