The Bachelor’s Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell Break Up After Four-Year Relationship
Another Bachelor Nation couple bites the dust.
Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell, who first got together in Season 25 of the ABC reality series, are no longer dating. James announced the breakup via a photo caption on his Instagram account Thursday.
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“Father God,” he wrote in the caption, “give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts. Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our Joy comes from you, Lord ??”
Kirkconnell has not posted anything about the breakup; her most recent Instagram post was made on Dec. 5, 2024, and is a reel of her and James; the caption celebrates his birthday.
“happiest of birthdays to my best friend, my teammate, my sous chef, the man that has my whole heart,” she wrote. “you fill it (and my tummy) with so much love and laughter and i’m so thankful i get to dance through this life with you. thank you for your never ending love and support and smooches and snuggles. to many more adventures, happy birthday my pumpkin ?”
TVLine has reached out to Kirkconnell’s representative for comment.
James chose Kirkconnell to be his girlfriend — but not his bride — in The Bachelor Season 25’s final rose ceremony. But during The Bachelor: After the Final Rose, James announced that he and Kirkconnell were no longer together.
The Bachelor: How Long Each Couple Lasted, From Shortest to Longest
He explained that he broke up with her after controversial photos surfaced of her attending an Antebellum party in 2018. He said the photos were bad enough but what made matters worse is that after she publicly apologized, Rachael still didn’t really understand why people were offended by the images that romanticized the slavery and racism of the pre-Civil War south. Later in the special, Kirkconnell said she was sorry for the pain she had caused Matt and was working to be more culturally aware and racially sensitive.
The couple later reunited.
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