Renée Kirkconnell born on September 26, 1996, is an American television personality best known for winning season 25 of The Bachelor.
‘The Bachelor’ season 25 premiered in October of 2020, and Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell first met that night. Until now, James was the only African-American Bachelor in the show’s history.
In light of the “Bachelor” series’ recent racial controversy, the show’s producers decided to give James the opportunity to compete in Clare Crawley’s season instead.
On the first night of the competition, Kirkconnell made an impression on James despite not receiving the coveted first impression rose. She was the one who broke down and cried when James invited the women to join him in prayer.
The two went on their first one-on-one date in October of 2020 and confessed their feelings for one another.
Rachael Kirkconnell And Matt James’ Relationship
While on the “Pretty Woman” date, Matt James took Kirkconnell shopping, where she bought herself a pair of Louboutins.
“I’m already in love with you, and I can’t stop thinking about you. And I want to leave here with you and begin my life with you. And I’m hoping that will happen, too. The worrying issue is that I’m not sure if that’s what will happen “during the date, she warned him.
Let me know if you’d like to hear about it. Matt was the one who brought up the subject. “If you think I’m insane, know that you’re not alone. You know what, Rachael? I’m in love with you too. But I can’t help but say it when I’m around you, because I feel like I should, “he said in response.
Rose in hand, she was safe for a few more days of the work week. James confessed his feelings for Kirkconnell during Fantasy Suites in November of the following year.
Season 25 of “The Bachelor” will feature Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell
Normally, it’s considered a negative idea for James to tell Rachael Kirkconnell that he loves her during Fantasy Suite because it can give away the fact that someone is a front-runner or cause problems with another woman later on.
It was after their skydive that he confessed to Kirkconnell, “I’ve fallen in love with you.” She replied: “Love you more and more every day. You have my heart and soul.”Kirkconnell was James’ winner, but he didn’t propose in November 2020. Their season came to an end together.
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On November 21, 2020, the two will be together
It wasn’t until after talking with his parents that James decided to merely date Kirkconnell to see what the future contained for the two of them. Kirkconnell, on the other hand, appeared to be happy with this decision and the two departed the event together. A TikTok rumor regarding Kirkconnell started circulating in January 2021, when the season premiered.
On October 15, 2020, Kirkconnell and Matt James will be married
The early episodes of the season showed that Kirkconnell was the overwhelming favorite. While at the same time a lady accused Kirkconnell of bullying one of her high school classmates for dating black guys in a viral TikTok video. It was reported that Kirkconnell had liked racist and provocative Instagram postings, according to another TikTok user.
James published a statement at the beginning of February defending Kirkconnell
“I have not spoken to anyone since the show ended, but I would stress that you have to be incredibly careful about what you are doing on social media,” James said in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.” A person’s life might be destroyed by rumors. So I’d give folks the benefit of the doubt, and perhaps she’ll get a chance to talk about it “he continued.
Photos from Kirkconnell’s college plantation party surface in February 2021
It was left to Chris Harrison, the show’s host, to defend her. Photographs of Kirkconnell at an African-themed party in 2018 appeared on Twitter barely three days after James’s defense of her. “Hard to defend,” her cousin told The Sun, referring to the photos. It was Harrison, the first Black Bachelor, who spoke with Rachel Lindsay on “Extra,” asking for “grace” to be shown toward the Kirkconnell situation. This sparked its own debate.
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Kirkconnell apologized for the photographs in a message on Instagram
“Truths that I need to address have emerged in the wake of rumors already in circulation. I understand what you’re saying, and I’m here to admit that I was mistaken, “It says so, as well.
“It doesn’t matter how old I am or how long ago it happened; nothing justifies it. They are by no means acceptable. Even if I was stupid, my stupidity was racial in nature “it was an addition.
On Instagram, James showed his support for Lindsay despite his silence on Kirkconnell. In his remarks, he stated, “Your advocacy of BIPOC persons in the franchise is vital, and I stand with you and the rest of the women who are calling for reform and accountability.”
Kirkconnell pleaded on Instagram in February 2021 for people to quit backing her
On Instagram, she made a long video pleading for people to stop telling her she did nothing wrong. To support me, inspire me to do better, and encourage others to do better, to accept change and grow, because we must work together if anything is going to happen, she said.
A breakup was announced between James and Kirkconnell on “After the Final Rose” in March 2021
After the Final Rose,” the two were reunited after viewers had seen them ride off into the sunset during the program. In their conversation, James explained that he couldn’t do the work for Kirkconnell and that she needed to educate herself more before they could be together, which led to their breakup.
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In spite of James’s denials, Kirkconnell remained hopeful for reconciliation in the future. Deuxmoi reported seeing the two in Brooklyn, while Kirkconnell was apparently observed in James’ New York area. “They [the two] aren’t over,” Reality Steve tweeted, adding fuel to the fire.
In addition, a source told Page Six that they spotted Kirkconnell entering James’ home.
A second lady stated that James was also interested in her in April of that year
James and Kirkconnell were supposedly seeing each other again, while Grace Amerling revealed in an interview with Reality Steve that he had also been trying to see her.
“It didn’t feel right to me at all. For some reason, I had the impression that Rachael was madly in love with this guy, and that’s why I was surprised when he made an attempt to call and meet with me in Miami just two days prior. Because of Rachael, I felt compelled to speak up “she divulged to the blogger.
They have photographed together again in California in April of 2021
In Santa Monica, Calif., on April 25, TMZ caught James and Amerling together for the first time since the saga between them began.
On April 3rd, 2021, James told People that he was putting his attention on a romance with Kirkconnell.
“I’ve only seen Rachael a few times,” James said in an interview with People on April 28. “I’m not looking for anything else right now. When I started I was going to put my attention on our relationship, I meant it “he continued.
May 2021: They were sighted again in New York City
This time showing off their affections, this time with a kiss. On May 4, TMZ obtained photos of the couple strolling the streets of New York City. James had Kirkconnell’s arm around his shoulder as they walked hand in hand. In addition, they both had matching manicures and pedicures.”
On their own, they told the Wall Street Journal in May 2021 that they’d reconnected
On May 5, the Wall Street Journal published James’ first real profile post-“Bachelor,” in which he detailed the reconciliation. “I believe the best way to phrase it is that we can have essential discussions about being in this relationship and what I need in a partner—especially if that woman isn’t Black—to understand what comes with me and my life and being Black,” James added. “I think it’s unfair to leave individuals without the ability to unlearn and get better,” he continued.
Kirkconnell confirmed the news by email to the magazine. Kirkconnell gave James an ultimatum before they started dating again in May 2021.
James revealed on the “Pomp” podcast the events that lead to the couple trying again for a child
“If you’re going to do this, let’s do it,” she said. As long as it works, though, I’m going to let you do your own thing,’ he remarked “James stated this. “So that’s all I required. It was just what I was looking for: a stern warning. It’s been fantastic. To be honest, we both made a promise to one other that we would focus on improving our relationship “he went on to explain.
“There came a moment in time where it was clear that my working on the relationship looked different from Rachael’s because I wasn’t really fulfilling that commitment that I made to working on the relationship.”
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Kirkconnell & James made their social media debut
At an ABC Food Tours event on May 28, James shared a picture of himself and Kirkconnell with the hashtag #ABCFoodTours on Instagram. On her Instagram Story, Kirkconnell wrote “Today was a good day,” according to People.
Cameron and Camila Kendra went on a double date with James and Kirkconnell later that weekend in the Hamptons. “Forever the third wheel,” Kirkconnell commented on James’s grid photo of himself and Cameron.
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