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Rachael Kirkconnell Reveals Moment Matt James Broke Up With Her
It’s time for Rachael Kirkconnell’s confessional.
Nearly two weeks after her breakup from Matt James, the 28-year-old—who received the Bachelor contestant’s final rose in 2021—is sharing what led to the couple’s demise during a trip to Tokyo.
“He said that at the end of the day, there were just qualities about me that he worries about having in a wife,” she said on Call Her Daddy’s Jan. 28 episode. “At the end of the day, [he said] there are things that we aren't compatible with.”
Noting that she often felt that she was the only one who apologized and took responsibility for any tiffs in their relationship, Rachael added of their breakup, “It was just one of those things where he, I think, just had this realization that, ‘I should want to propose to you by this time. At this point in our relationship, I should be wanting those things and I should be ready for that. But I'm not still. I still don't feel like we're ready, or I don't feel like I'm ready. I don't know if I ever see myself proposing to you. I can't actually see myself married to you.’”
As for what Rachael told him in response?
“I said, ‘Well, I feel like after four years you should know or you should feel ready,’” she continued. “‘We probably shouldn't be together if you don't feel like that after four years because you know me better than anyone. I know you better than anyone, so you should know by now if you see this for the long haul or not.’”
Earlier in the episode, Rachael detailed the days that led up to their breakup, including the positive affirmations Matt had given her while on vacation.
Rachael Kirkconnell/Instagram
“A few days before, we're talking about how he feels lucky to have me as a partner,” she explained. “And that there's so many qualities that he loves that I have and that we see relationships with other people where they deal with a lot or put up with a lot of things. And he's like, ‘It’s just so nice that I just feel very lucky that I can call you my partner.’”
They did have a small argument the day before their breakup when Rachael picked what she felt like was a disappointing dinner place for them to eat at in Tokyo. She said she got emotional and let two tears slip during the meal, leading Matt to question why she was so upset and seemingly overreacted.
Call Her Daddy
Still, Rachael recalled that “everything was fine.” Ultimately, though, their relationship ended up taking its final bow.
“It was just one of those things where [I] was like, ‘Do you want to make this work?” she said. “‘Do you think that it's me or is it something with you? Are you scared or is it really me? Is your perfect person somewhere out there? Is it not me?’ And he came to the conclusion that he didn't think it was me and he said he just didn't want me to end up resenting him by wasting more of my time if it wouldn't happen.”
She continued, “He just said, ‘You're beautiful, smart and funny and you'll find someone, you'll find a guy that will love you for you.’ He just didn't think that it was him. But it was just a lot to hear at once because a few days before I'm hearing the opposite.”
According to Rachael, it was just a few hours later that Matt announced their breakup on Instagram while she was on an airplane leaving Japan.
Read on for more stars that have broken up this year.
Nils Jorgensen/Shutterstock; Charley Gallay/Getty Images for Netflix
Jamie Foxx & Alyce Huckstepp
Mark Von Holden/for DIRECTV's Christmas at Kathy's
James Kennedy & Ally Lewber
One month after James was arrested for domestic violence (which resulted in no charges against him), the Vanderpump Rules stars announced they split up.
"We are no longer together, but I'll always support James and wish him the best with his sobriety and healing," Ally wrote in Instagram Jan. 22. "Thank you for your understanding."
Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images for Atlantis Paradise Island
Matt James & Rachel Kirkconnell
Four years after the couple found love on The Bachelor season 25 in 2021, the couple has broken up, Matt shared.
“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts,” he wrote in a Jan. 16 Instagram post, alongside a picture from their first meeting on the ABC show. “Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding.”
The 33-year-old added, “Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our Joy comes from you, Lord.”
Ella Hovsepian/Getty Images
Jessica Simpson & Eric Johnson
The "Irresistible" singer parted ways with her husband of 10 years, telling People Jan. 13, "Eric and I have been living separately navigating a painful situation in our marriage."
Phillip Chin/Getty Images for Warner Bros. Entertainment Inc.
Courtney Ford & Brandon Routh
After 17 years of marriage, the DC’s Legends of Tomorrow costars announced their split in a Jan. 9 message.
“To everyone who has loved and supported us, we have some personal news to share,” they wrote in a joint statement shared to Instagram. “After 21 years together and 17 years of marriage, we have decided to begin a new journey, and enter this next chapter of life as friends and co-parents. We are now and forever rooting for each other as we move through this wild adventure called life.”
Axelle/Bauer-Griffin/FilmMagic
Jessica Alba & Cash Warren
The longtime couple broke up after 16 years of marriage, TMZ reported on Jan. 8, citing sources with direct knowledge.
ANGELA WEISS/AFP via Getty Images
Austin Butler & Kaia Gerber
The Elvis star and the model called it quits after about three years of dating, multiple outlets reported Jan. 7.
Allen Berezovsky/Getty Images
Naomi Osaka & Cordae
“Hi everyone, just wanted to say that Cordae and I are no longer in a relationship,” the tennis star, who welcomed her first baby with the musician in 2023, wrote in an Instagram Stories post Jan. 6. “No bad blood at all, he's a great person and an awesome dad.”
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