Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell
ABC/Craig SjodinA former bachelor Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell they broke it off four years after finding love Bachelor.
“Father God, give Rachael and me the strength to heal our broken hearts. Come to terms with this decision to end our relationship that passes worldly understanding,” James, 33, wrote on Instagram alongside a photo of him and Kirkconnell on Bachelor season 25
“Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our joy comes from you, Lord 💔,” James added in the caption of his post, tagging Kirkconnell, 28.
James chose Kirkconnell as his Bachelor winner during season 25, which aired in early 2021. However, according to After the Final Rose especially in March of that year, James said that he and Kirkconnell interrupted after Kirkconnell past racially insensitive social media activity resurfaced. The couple reconciled a month later.
In October 2024, James, the first black Bachelor water, and Kirkconnell teased getting married in the future.
“I think it’s the next step,” James quipped during an episode of the “De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan” podcast. “Since so many of Rachael’s friends have been through engagements, I wouldn’t dare look at a ring without consulting Rachael first.”
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Kirkconnell agreed that a decision on the diamond was the next step before James popped the question.
“I have a finger ready,” she joked on the podcast. “I feel like that’s definitely something we want. I’m on his time. My problem is that I definitely need to find a ring that I like and all, but it’s up to him at that point. … That’s the problem, I don’t even know what I want.”
During the same episode, James said that he had “been hinting at marriage for a long time.”
“I don’t think Rachael is taking my hints seriously,” he joked. “Obviously I’m a few years older than you and women tend to outlive men because, I don’t know, but that’s usually how it goes. I totally embrace being a stay at home dad. I’ll stay home and take care of the kids, so I’ll empower you… (to) start your own brand.”
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Kirkconnell, who laughed off James’ remarks about hints and starting a lifestyle empire, said she was also ready to start a family with the ex-footballer.
“I will say this, I love the idea of us getting married and having that commitment to each other, and the kids and the family really excites me,” Kirkconnell said. “But the idea of planning a wedding really turns me off. Like sometimes I’m just, like, ‘Let’s run away.'”
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James said earlier Us Weekly that he and Kirkconnell they did not succumb to external pressures to speed up their timeline.
“We are doing great. I feel like when you feel pressure, that’s when you don’t want to do something,” James exclusively said Our in June 2024. “So I’ve never really felt pressure (to get engaged) because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. That’s something we’ll do at some point. That’s why we’re together and what we’re working on. I am excited about our future.”