Matt James And Rachel Kirkconnellof bachelor The love story was a journey - on screen and off.

ABC announced Matt as the season 25 lead in June 2020 reveals that the series has received a record number of submissions for contestants. Among the 38 women Matt had the chance to meet was Rachel, a graphic designer from Georgia. Although he didn't get the alluring first impression (Abigail Herringer did), she caught Matt's eye one night. (Season 25 of this bachelor Filmed at the Nemacolin Resort in fall 2020 and premiered in January 2021.)

While Matt and Rachel were dropping the L-bomb on the series, she made headlines in 2018 for her past racially insensitive actions, including photos of her at an "Old South"-themed frat party. Later the controversy escalated Chris Harrison Requested for fans Have "compassion" for Rachael As they navigate the scandal. The Georgia native broke her silence in February 2021, two days after the host's interview and more than a month after initially being caught in the fire. Rachel's mother Kim Kirkconnell, Also He saved his daughter and hints at how circumstances may affect their potential happy ending.

"If he chooses Rachel and stands by her, then you know Matt really loves her," Kim said. the sun. "If he chose Rachel, and then left her, it wasn't meant to be, and there's someone else for him."

the time The Bachelor: After the Final Rose In March 2021, fans learned that Matt and Rachel had called it quits while the show aired. A month later, the two rekindled their relationship. Matt and Rachel had previously dated for four years announced their separation In January 2025.

Scroll through for the full timeline of Matt and Rachel's relationship: