Justice For Rachael Kirkconnell: Why Matt James Is The Worst Bachelor In The Entire Franchise

The combination of overblown controversy, Matt’s faux-moral posturing, and two extremely public breakups have cemented his title as the worst Bachelor in franchise history.

Let’s unpack what happened, why it was probably doomed from the start, and how Matt (33) managed to string Rachael (28) along while throwing her under the bus when it mattered most.

The Hype Around the First Black Bachelor

When Matt James was announced as the first Black Bachelor in 2020, the franchise framed it as a historic and long-overdue milestone. After nearly two decades of predominantly white leads, this choice was celebrated as a step toward "diversity and inclusivity." The media buzz was enormous, and Matt was heralded as someone who could bring some special kind of depth and perspective to the show.

But once the season aired, it became clear that Matt, like many Bachelors before him (barring a few exceptions), was largely one-dimensional. Despite the build-up, his personality felt flat, and his interactions with contestants were painfully repetitive. Maybe because personality has more to do with a person's character than their skin color, but a lot of people still aren't ready for that conversation.

Instead of being the dynamic lead the franchise desperately needed, he came across as overly concerned with optics and more focused on presenting a heroic image than forming genuine connections.

A Picture Sparks (Fake) National Outrage

Nonetheless, he found love on the show, and the real chaos began after Matt gave Rachael his final rose in 2020. Shortly after the season aired, photos from 2018 surfaced showing Rachael attending an antebellum-themed fraternity party. Cue the internet backlash. Suddenly, this young woman, who was around 19 at the time, became the subject of accusations of racism because she attended a college party tied to a historically "problematic" era. Sorry, remind me of which era in human history was completely unproblematic again?

While the usual suspects raged out, normal people stopped to ask: Is it really fair to crucify a college student for attending a themed party? Rachael wasn’t wearing a Confederate uniform—she was at a university event in a dress. The perpetually-offended made an uproar, complete with social media mobs and calls for "accountability," which was wildly disproportionate.

Matt Reaction: The Ultimate Betrayal

As the backlash mounted, Matt—her brand new boyfriend at the time—decided to throw her under the bus. Instead of standing by Rachael and supporting her through what was, in reality, not a big deal, Matt broke up with her for it. On After the Final Rose, he delivered a moral lecture, essentially framing himself as a martyr for social justice. “She needs to put in the work,” he concluded.

Quite frankly, ew. And for someone who often invoked his Christian faith, the lack of grace and forgiveness he extended to Rachael was glaring. Instead of using the moment to make a powerful statement about love, he legitimized a fake controversy and left Rachael to deal with the fallout.

The Bachelor Goes Woke

Chris Harrison, the long-time host of The Bachelor franchise, also faced significant backlash following James’ season, largely due to his defense of Kirkconnell. During an interview with Bachelorette  Rachel Lindsay on Extra in February 2021, Harrison was asked about the resurfaced photos. He defended Rachael, arguing that the criticism against her was overly harsh and suggesting that the event was viewed through a different cultural lens in 2018 compared to 2021.

Particularly, his use of the phrase “woke police,” sparked more pearl-clutching. Critics accused him of failing to adequately "address the broader conversations about race and accountability" within the franchise, blah, blah, blah, you know the spiel.

Fans, former contestants, and media outlets called for him to step down as host. Harrison issued multiple apologies, expressing regret for his comments and acknowledging that he had “caused harm by wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism.” Nevertheless, he was forced out, beginning with the After the Final Rose special for James’ season. In June 2021, it was officially announced that Harrison would not return as host of The Bachelor franchise, marking the end of his nearly two-decade tenure as the face of the show.

The Reconciliation and Rollercoaster That Followed

After the initial breakup, Matt and Rachael reconciled in May 2021 after Rachael made efforts to learn from the experience. She apologized, patiently spent a bunch of time listening to people lecture her about racism, and tried to take the backlash in stride. Notably, the reconciliation did not include an engagement.

In the four years that followed, it seemed like they were relatively happy and in sync...until the second breakup. In early 2025, just hours after the couple had been spotted together in London, Matt announced their split on Instagram, couching it in religious language: “Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts.”

To make matters worse, Rachael’s sister later implied that she had been blindsided by the breakup a mere 3 hours before he posted about it, adding another layer of public humiliation to the situation.

What Happened?

Their journey together had seemed promising, with both expressing excitement about their future. In December 2024, Rachael shared a heartfelt birthday tribute to Matt, referring to him as her "whole heart," which made their sudden breakup all the more shocking.

Some reports suggest that Rachael had grown increasingly frustrated with the lack of commitment from Matt, especially after four years of dating. Allegedly, she issued an ultimatum regarding their future together, desiring a clear path toward engagement. When Matt remained noncommittal, Rachael allegedly decided to end the relationship. Shortly after, Matt announced their split on Instagram.

Making it all even weirder, Matt had previously hinted at a future engagement, telling People magazine in February 2024 that he was "definitely excited for what the future looks like with us" and that a proposal would be "something special because Rachael's very special." These mixed signals have led fans and observers to question Matt's sincerity throughout their relationship.

Weaponizing Race and Faith

One of the most frustrating aspects of Matt’s behavior throughout this saga is how he used both his race and his faith to justify his actions. By positioning himself as a morally superior figure who needed to “step back” while Rachael did the work, Matt made himself look like some kind of victim. Then, after stringing her along for four years, he added insult to injury by framing his decision to end the relationship as a noble, faith-driven act on Instagram.

It was a masterclass in evasion, leaving Rachael once again deal with the drama while he focused on protecting his public image.

Justice for Rachael

Through it all, Rachael is the one who's shown a lot of grace. She apologized, took the backlash seriously, and stood by a very flawed man. Matt’s refusal to commit to her and his repeated public humiliations of her reveal far more about his character than hers.

She deserved better—better treatment, better loyalty, and, frankly, a better Bachelor. Justice for Rachael Kirkconnell starts with recognizing that she wasn’t the problem. Matt James was.