Bachelor alums Matt James, 33, and Rachael Kirkconnell, 28, have split after four years together. Matt announced the split in a January 23 Instagram post, writing, “Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts. Give us peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding.”
The news shocked Bachelor Nation, who have been following the couple’s life together on social media since 2021.
In the wake of the split, let’s take a look back at Matt and Rachael’s relationship.
Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell met while filming Season 25 of The Bachelor
Matt met Rachael in the fall of 2020 when she was one of 32 women vying for his heart on The Bachelor. In the premiere episode, Matt began the night with a prayer, which made quite an impression on Rachael, who was moved to tears by the gesture.
“I had a feeling that I was going to be, like, infatuated with him, but the fact that he opened that up with a prayer struck a nerve for me. I didn’t expect to feel like this so soon,” she said in a confessional.
The two had an immediate connection that became deeper as the season progressed. It was clear Rachael was the front-runner by the halfway mark and fans suspected Matt would pop the question in the finale. While Matt did gift the “Final Rose” to Rachael, he opted not to propose, suggesting they needed more time before taking that step.
Matt and Rachael briefly broke up while the show was airing
Rachael faced controversy during the season’s run after photos of her attending an antebellum-themed party in college resurfaced online. The Georgia native addressed her past in an Instagram post, apologizing for her “ignorance.”
“At one point, I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn’t excuse them,” she wrote. “My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. They are not ok or acceptable in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.”
Matt decided to end the relationship after seeing the photos. He explained his reasoning in the After the Final Rose special, telling Rachel, “When I questioned our relationship, it was in the context of you not fully understanding my blackness and what it means to be a black man in America, and what it would mean for our kids.”
Matt and Rachael get back together in the spring of 2021
Reports that Matt and Rachael were seeing each other again surfaced in April 2021. Blogger Reality Steve tweeted that the two were seen together in Brooklyn, New York, writing “It’s been a while but here’s some news; Matt and Rachael? Yeah, they’re not over. They’re currently in New York together. FYI.”
The following month, Matt confirmed that he and Rachael were back together in an interview with WSJ. The former Bachelor revealed he and Rachael spoke about racial issues before resuming their relationship.
“I think the best way to put it is that we can have critical conversations about being in this relationship and what I need in a partner — especially if that woman isn’t Black — to understand what comes with me and my life and being Black,” he told the outlet in May 2021. “It’s on people who care about being allies to do the work to be truly antiracist, and I think it’s unfair to leave people without the ability to unlearn and be better.”
Matt and Rachael become Instagram official
That same month, the couple made their romance Instagram official. Matt shared a photo of him and Rachael teaching financial literacy at a New York public school. In June, Matt shared more photos of him and Rachael enjoying life in NYC.
“It was a great weekend,” he wrote in the caption of the June 20 post.
Fans expressed their support for the couple in the comment section.
“So happy you two tried again; second chances!!” one fan wrote.
“I am so happy to see you two back together,” another Instagram user commented.
Matt and Rachael say “I love you” on social media
Matt posted a “Happy Birthday” tribute to Rachael in September 2021. The North Carolina native shared several photos of him and his girlfriend alongside a sweet caption. He ended the post with a simple, “I love you.” In December, Rachael returned the favor with a “Happy Birthday” post for Matt, which also included an “I love you.”
“Happy birthday to the man of my dreams and my very best friend,” she wrote. “Cheers to the man you are today and the man you will continue to be. I’m so lucky to have a front-row seat. You are one of one. I love you.”
Matt and Rachel say they want to have a baby together
In July 2024, Matt and Rachael posted a Q&A video on Matt’s YouTube channel. One fan wrote in asking Matt and Rachael where they see their relationship in the next few years. Rachael said she would like to start a family with Matt in the next five years.
“He might have a stroke right here,” she said, gesturing to Matt. “Next five years, I want to be pregnant…I’ll be ready to be a mom at that point.”
He agreed with the timeline, saying he wants to have a baby with Rachael in the next five years.
Matt and Rachael breakup in January 2025
On January 23, Matt announced that he and Rachael broke up in an Instagram post. The 33-year-old shared a photo of him and Rachael from his season of The Bachelor alongside a caption asking God for strength.
“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts,” he wrote. “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] for you, Lord.”
Rachael has yet to comment on the split, but an inside source revealed to The Sun (U.S.) that she was the one to end the relationship.
“I will say this, he wouldn’t commit. She basically gave him an ultimatum to propose by the end of 2024 and that didn’t happen,” they shared. “Years of dragging her along. She tried and tried. It’s been really hard on her, she really cared and thought this was going to work.”
Season 29 of The Bachelor premieres on Monday, January 27 at 8/7c on ABC.
TELL US – WERE YOU SURPRISED BY MATT AND RACHAEL’S SPLIT? WHO IS YOUR FAVORITE BACHELOR NATION COUPLE?
