Former “Bachelor” lead Matt James revealed on January 16 that he and longtime girlfriend Rachael Kirkconnell have ended their relationship. Matt James Breakup! James took to Instagram, writing a heartfelt message addressed to God:
“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts. 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.”
He captioned his post with a broken heart emoji and limited the comments shortly afterward.
From ‘The Bachelor’ to the Real World
James and Kirkconnell first crossed paths on his season of “The Bachelor.” Although they decided not to get engaged on the show, they chose to continue exploring their connection after filming wrapped. They remained together from 2020 until their recent split.
Heartbreak & Shock: Fans React Online to Matt James Breakup
Not long after James shared the news, fans flocked to Reddit to share their disbelief and sadness:
- “I refuse to believe this.”
- “I thought they’d make it. Rachael seemed ready to settle down, but maybe Matt wasn’t.”
- “I literally gasped! I thought something terrible happened to her at first.”
Others noted how happy the couple looked just a few months ago, when James teased plans for a future engagement.
Open Conversations About Marriage
The breakup came as a surprise to many, especially since James had previously spoken openly about proposing to Kirkconnell. In a June 2024 interview with Us Weekly, he shared that getting engaged was something both of them wanted and were working toward.
Matt James Breakup – A Future Left Uncertain
As recently as October 2024, James indicated that an engagement could be “the next step,” while Kirkconnell playfully chimed in that she was simply waiting for the right ring. Despite those hopeful discussions, the couple has now chosen separate paths—and fans are left speculating about what comes next for both of them.