Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell had an up-and-down relationship after assembly and falling in love The Bachelor season 25. The pair related instantly on the fact present, however it wasn't till their first one-on-one date in week 5 that issues acquired extra severe. Throughout the night portion of the date, Matt and Rachael revealed they had been falling in love with one another.
Though Rachael didn't obtain Matt's first impression rose, she did obtain the ultimate rose, they usually left the present as a pair. Though they stayed collectively, they did issues a bit otherwise as I didn't get engaged on the finish of the sequence like most {couples} in The Bachelor franchise. After they left the present collectively, Matt and Rachael turned embroiled in drama, which might proceed to come up all through their relationship.
Rachael received Matt's season The Bachelor
Their connection was simple
Matt related with a number of girls throughout his stint on The Bachelorhowever because the weeks glided by, it turned clear that Rachael can be his ultimate selection. They each expressed that they had been falling in love however after being so susceptible Rachael admitted how scared she was in regards to the present's course of. “I really feel like I've been in search of this my complete life, and now I really feel like I've lastly discovered it.” she mentioned, including, "The one fear is that I simply don't catch you on the finish of this."
Matt assured Rachael that he was on the identical web page, and some episodes later, he met Rachael's household throughout their hometown date. Ultimately, Matt despatched runner-up Michelle Younger residence and revealed that he wasn't going to suggest to anybody, however he nonetheless needed to be with Rachael. Though he didn't get down on one knee, he did give Rachael her ultimate rose they usually left the present collectively.
Matt and Rachael broke up earlier than The Ultimate Rose, however rapidly acquired again collectively
A scandal rocked their relationship
Whereas The Bachelor season 25 was airing, social media posts started circulating exhibiting Rachael attending an antebellum plantation-themed celebration. Matt made historical past as the primary black protagonist in The Bachelormaking these findings much more disappointing for a lot of viewers. Rachael responded to the accusations by issuing an apology on Instagram, saying: “I'm studying and can proceed to learn to be anti-racist.”
Throughout The Bachelor season 25 After the Ultimate Rose particular in March 2021, Matt and Rachael revealed that that they had damaged up shortly after pictures of Rachael appeared on-line. Within the following weeks, reconciliation rumors continued to swirl when Matt and Rachael had been noticed collectively in New York in April 2021. A month later, throughout an look on Pomp podcast, Matt revealed Rachael gave him a "ultimatum", That was the push he wanted to decide to her, they usually acquired again collectively.
Matt and Rachael mainly lived collectively throughout their relationship
They had been hooked up on the hip
Regardless of being collectively for years, Rachael and Matt maintained a long-distance relationship - though it didn't seem to be it. From 2021 to 2025, Rachael nonetheless lived in her native Georgia whereas Matt remained in Florida, however they had been consistently touring to see one another of their respective properties. Moreover, the couple traveled consistently, at all times posting from totally different areas to showcase their favourite meals in every place. Most lately, the couple traveled collectively to London, England, with Matt posting a number of movies of what the couple ate there.
In a YouTube Q&A posted at Matt YouTube channel, he talked about being long-distance, however admitted that they primarily stay collectively. Throughout the introduction he mentioned: "Whether or not we're each in Alpharetta, or we're each in Miami, we're each in New York, we're virtually joined on the hip." Residing in numerous states, however nonetheless managing to spend a lot time collectively proves how invested they had been within the relationship.
Matt and Rachael cut up once more in 2025
Got here out of left area
Matt and Rachael have gained an enormous following on Instagram and TikTok by exhibiting off all of the totally different meals they've eaten on their numerous travels. Virtually each put up featured them collectively, smiling and laughing as they loved one in all their favourite shared actions. However simply hours after posting in regards to the meals they had been making an attempt collectively on a visit to London, Matt shocked followers by revealing that they determined to finish their relationship after greater than 4 years collectively.
Father God, give Rachael and me power to fix our damaged hearts. Give us peace about this resolution to finish our relationship that transcends worldly understanding. Bathe our family and friends with kindness and like to consolation us. And remind us that our pleasure comes from you, Lord
The Bachelor former pupil took to Instagram on January 16, 2025 to announce their cut up, posting a photograph from their time in The Bachelor and writing a prayer for them"damaged hearts"within the caption. The sudden flip from touring collectively to breaking apart caught everybody off guard, though it's potential that Matt was sharing the posts after the journey had already ended. Nonetheless, Rachael has but to touch upon the breakup, leaving much more confusion about what actually occurred and whether or not they may reconcile once more.
Sources: Matt James/YouTube, Matt James/Instagram