Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell dropped out.
Former Bachelor33, shared the news prayerfully on Instagram on Thursday, Jan. 16, writing, “Father God, give Rachael and I the strength to heal our broken hearts. Reconcile us with 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 💔”
The post was accompanied by a picture of the meeting between James and Kirkconnell (28). Bachelor for the first time. James tagged Kirkconnell in the post and turned off the comments. His latest post on his Instagram stories featured several different pizza pies and noted that he was across the pond in London.
Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell relationship timeline
Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James on ‘The Bachelor’. Craig Sjodin via Getty
Kirkconnell did not share her post. In fact, her last video was released in early December and it was a birthday tribute video to James.
“Happiest birthday to my best friend, my teammate, my sous chef, the man who has my whole heart,” Kirkconnell captioned her post. “You fill it (and my tummy) with so much love and laughter and I am so grateful to dance through this life with you. thank you for your endless love and support and cuddles and cuddles. for many more adventures, happy birthday my pumpkin ♡.”
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The couple met in the 25th season Bachelor 2020 where Kirkconnell won James’ season amid controversy. At the time, James and Kirkconnell decided to continue dating, but not to get engaged during the reality show finale.
Kirkconnell was embroiled in scandal after photos surfaced of her attending an Antebellum-themed party at college. James, who was the show’s first Black Bachelor, and Kirkconnell briefly split amid the breakup. Former Bachelor host Chris Harrison defended Kirkconnell in an interview with the former Bachelor Rachel Lindsay, the first black Bachelor, which led to Harrison finally leaving the show.
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Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James in an Instagram post in December 2024.
Rachael Kirkconnell/Instagram
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In May 2021, James and Kirkconnell confirmed that they had rekindled their romance. And in May 2022, James opened up to PEOPLE about the healing he and Kirkconnell went through in their relationship.
“I learned a lot. And at the end of the day, everything we’ve been through has prepared us for the future,” he said at the time.
‘The Bachelor’ Matt James says Rachael Kirkconnell gave him an ‘ultimatum’ before getting back together
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Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James in Instagram post for summer 2024.
Rachael Kirkconnell/Instagram
He continued: “It felt like the world was against us. Some people felt the situation was exaggerated and others felt it didn’t get enough attention. We were just trying to enjoy each other and develop our relationship without dealing with people that we didn’t even know existed.”
In the years that followed, the couple traveled the world together and appeared regularly on social media. In February 2024, James told PEOPLE that engagement is the goal when it comes to his relationship with Kirkconnell and promised a “special” proposal.
“It’s about doing everything you do at your own pace, whether it’s a relationship, your job, exercise,” James told PEOPLE at the time. “If you do things that other people want you to do and you don’t consider everyone’s feelings, then I think that’s a recipe for disaster.”
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Source: HIS Education