Credit: ABC
Rachael Kirkconnell
Even though Matt did not propose to Rachael during the finale, which aired in March 2021, they did decide to leave the show as a couple. Unfortunately, their relationship took a hit when they secretly broke up in February 2021. This split occurred after Rachael faced accusations of racism due to her attendance at an antebellum-themed party on a plantation during her college years. Rachael took to Instagram to apologize twice for her actions before addressing the situation alongside Matt and guest host, Emmanuel Acho, on After the Final Rose.
During the special, Rachael expressed her initial confusion and feeling of being blindsided when Matt called to end their relationship. She reflected on the strength she believed their bond had and acknowledged that his decision to end things must have stemmed from deep hurt. Rachael admitted that losing Matt, whom she deemed the love of her life, was a tough blow for her to bear.
In April 2021, Matt and Rachael were seen together, sparking rumors of a reconciliation. By May of the same year, the couple officially confirmed that they were indeed giving their romance another chance. Despite their efforts to work on their relationship, they disclosed in an exclusive interview with Us in July 2023 that they have grown accustomed to dealing with ongoing speculations surrounding the possibility of another breakup.
“I think that we’ve been through so much stuff at this point that nothing really phases us. I get it — because we’re together so much so whenever our schedules don’t line up or whenever we have our own things going on, I get where people come from,” Rachael said.
Matt, for his part, admitted that even his mom is prone to worrying about their relationship status.
“I’ll come home and if Rachael’s not with me, my mom’s like, ‘What’s wrong? Where’s Rachael?’” he told Us. “I’m like, ‘She had to go home to see her family!’ She has her mom and her dad and brother and sister [in Atlanta].”
