Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James have called it quits four years after appearing on season 25 of “The Bachelor.”
James broke the news via Instagram on Thursday, Jan. 16, asking “Father God” to give himself and Kirkconnell “strength to mend our broken hearts” amid their split.
“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,” James captioned a photo of the pair meeting for the first time on “The Bachelor.”
James tagged Kirkconnell in the photo, although she has yet to address the breakup herself.
The former couple have had their ups and downs over the years, including a controversy over resurfaced photos of Kirkconnell attending an “Old South”-themed party in college.
The photos made headlines as season 25 of “The Bachelor” aired in 2021. After people pointed out the racial insensitivity of an antebellum-themed party, Kirkconnell publicly apologized for her participation in the event.
“At one point, I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn’t excuse them,” she wrote via Instagram in February 2021. “My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. They are not acceptable or OK in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.”
Further complicating the situation, longtime Bachelor Nation host Chris Harrison defended Kirkconnell during a February 2021 sitdown with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay.
“I saw a picture of her at a sorority party five years ago, that’s it,” Harrison said. “My guess? These girls got dressed up and went to a party and had a great time, they were 18 years old.”
Many people, including James, subsequently accused Harrison of downplaying the incident and not listening to Lindsay.
“Chris’ failure to receive and understand the emotional labor that my friend Rachel Lindsay was taking on by graciously and patiently explaining the racist history of the Antebellum South, a painful history that every American should understand intimately, was troubling and painful to watch,” James wrote via Instagram in February 2021. “As Black people and allies immediately knew and understood, it was a clear reflection of a much larger issue that The Bachelor franchise has fallen short on addressing adequately for years.”
That same month, Harrison stepped aside from his hosting gig, and James and Kirkconnell called it quits. However, they didn’t stay broken up for long.
James confirmed that the twosome were working through their issues during a May 2021 interview with WSJ Magazine.
“I think it’s unfair to leave people without the ability to unlearn and be better,” he told the outlet.
After their reconciliation, James and Kirkconnell continued dating until their recent split. Less than 24 hours before sharing the breakup announcement, James shared an Instagram video of himself and Kirkconnell enjoying pizza in London.
Kirkconnell, meanwhile, last posted about James in December 2024.
“Happiest of birthdays to my best friend, my teammate, my sous chef, the man that has my whole heart,” she captioned a video of the duo. “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.”
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Have a tip? Tell us at nj.com/tips/.
