Rachel Kirkconnell meet James died During season 25 of Bachelor's degree In the wake of the show, their relationship Full of ups and downs.
During the airing of the 2021 season of the ABC series, the Georgia native came under fire for resurfaced photos of her wearing an antebellum-style dress on a fraternity holiday. Before Kirkconnell addressed the photos, then-host Chris Harrison He came to her defense during an interview with the alum Rachel Lindsaythe audience is asked to be A “blessing” for the contestantWho knew he ended up winning the season. (The scandal broke in February 2021, one month before the finale aired.)
The situation led to James breaking up with Kirkconnell before the match After the final rose Special in March. While the pair reconciled later that year, the network cut ties with Harrison and the alum Jesse Palmer He took the party.
Kirkconnell It issued its first statement On February 11, 2021, she wrote on Instagram that her actions were “unacceptable” and that her “ignorance was racist.” During a candid conversation with the fellow Season 25 star Bree Springswho finished second on James' season, in October 2022, Kirkconnell said her initial apology “backfired” and claimed the show “pushed” her into writing the statement.
Kirkconnell recalled that she went “rogue” and made a second, lengthy apology video after James ended their relationship because she had nothing to lose. She shared a third statement when her followers started coming for Lindsay and James instead of focusing on her mistakes.
After reuniting in spring 2021, James wrote a book about his time as the first Black Bachelor, criticizing the series for what they chose to air. Kirkconnell said while speaking about their relationship with the franchise in July 2022 we That couple Rooting for everyone from “far away”.
Although he says he has plans to propose in the future, James They announced their split Via Instagram in 2025.
Keep scrolling for more of Kirkconnell's comments about her time on the show:
