ATLANTA — Georgia native and former “The Bachelor” star Rachael Kirkconnell spoke publicly for the first time about her split with “The Bachelor” Matt James after the couple’s four years together.
Kirkconnell, who is from Forsyth County, appeared on Alex Cooper’s popular “Call Her Daddy” podcast this week, during which she revealed the breakup happened during a trip to Japan.
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Kirkconnell said she was leaving early to return home to Georgia for a baby shower when she was “blindsided” by James posting about their breakup right before her flight took off.
“Literally the plane is taking off and I see his post, and that’s it,” she told Cooper. “I don’t have any service or anything for the next 12 hours, so I’m freaking out because you know just got broken up with. And now, a few hours later, it’s for the whole world to see and I’m still trying to process it.”
Kirkconnell said James gave her no heads up that he would post on Instagram, which is how her family and friends found out about the breakup.
“I didn’t even get to talk to them about it or grief privately for like a day,” she said.
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Kirkconnell and James met on “The Bachelor” season 25. James picked her in the finale, but didn’t propose. When the show ended, the couple briefly separated after photos surfaced of Kirkconnell attending her sorority’s antebellum theme party, for which she apologized.
James and Kirkconnell eventually reunited and stayed together until James announced their breakup in a Jan. 16 Instagram post.
“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,” James wrote.
Kirkconnell told Cooper that she never expected to breakup with James during their trip and that she believed they were on the same page for marriage and children.
“That’s one of the saddest things about it, just picturing your life with someone and think that is how your life is going to look and now, it’s all taken away.”
Watch the full interview below.
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