One “Bachelor” couple has recently called it quits about four years after they first appeared on the ABC reality dating show.
Matt James, who was the franchise’s first Black “Bachelor,” took to social media on Thursday to announce that he and 28-year-old Rachael Kirkconnell, broke up — again.
“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts,” James, 33, wrote on Instagram. “Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding.”
Kirkconnell has yet to publicly comment on James’ post about the breakup and still has a number of photos of the couple posted on her Instagram page. The details surrounding the couple’s decision to part ways was not immediately available.
James and Kirkconnell met on Season 25 of the “Bachelor,” which premiered in January 2021, and Kirkconnell later won the season, receiving the final rose in the season finale.
The couple split briefly following backlash they received after Kirkconnell’s controversial attendance at an antebellum-themed college party came to light. A couple months later, they decided to re-kindle the romance.
James told People Magazine in February 2024 that getting engaged was the goal and was determined to plan out a “special” proposal for Kirkconnell. USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for James and Kirkconnell for comment.
‘Bachelor’ couple worked through the backlash
Things appeared to be going well for the James and Kirkconnell after the taping of the “After the Final Rose” post-finale special, where they rehashed the season, including the drama that unfolded after an old photograph of Kirkconnell, and social media activity surfaced.
After taping for the show wrapped, but while the show was still airing, Kirkconnell was criticized for liking Confederate flag-related TikToks and for a resurfaced photo that appears to show her attending a plantation-themed fraternity formal in 2018.
Kirkconnell issued an online apology in February 2021, calling her past actions “offensive and “racist.” But James decided to end the relationship after the controversy broke.
James was ready to give the relationship another shot, sharing with Wall Street Journal Magazine in May 2021 that he and Kirkconnell were back together. He said in the WSJ Magazine interview that it was “unfair” to leave people while they work to “unlearn and be better.”
The couple was doing the “work” that needed to be done together.
“We can have critical conversations about being in this relationship and what I need in a partner — especially if that woman isn’t Black — to understand what comes with me and my life and being Black,” James told WSJ Magazine.
How to watch the newest ‘Bachelor’ season
Grant Ellis, a 31-year-old day trader from New Jersey and a former pro basketball player, will be looking for love on Season 29 of the “Bachelor.” Ellis was named leading man after he was eliminated by Season 21 “Bachelorette” Jenn Tran in August 2024.
Ellis is slated to be the second Black “Bachelor” in the reality dating show franchise’s more than 20-year history. The first was James, during “The Bachelor’s” 25th season in 2021.
Ellis “captured the hearts of Bachelor Nation on Season 21 of ‘The Bachelorette’ with his infectious smile and unwavering positivity,” ABC says about him, adding “fans saw Ellis’ genuine desire to build a future centered on family” before his emotional exit.
Season 29 of “The Bachelor” will premiere with a 2-hour episode on Monday, Jan. 27 at 8 p.m. ET, with new episodes dropping weekly every Monday.
Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff, Elise Brisco, David Oliver and Saman Shafiq, USA TODAY
