Bachelor's Rachael Kirkconnell SOBS during season finale reunion after Matt James DUMPED her over 'racist' accusations
THE Bachelor's Rachael Kirkconnell SOBBED during the season finale reunion.
The emotional moment came after Matt James DUMPED her over her "racist" accusations.
Rachael, 24, and Matt, 29, came face to face during the After the Final Rose special on Monday night.
The couple, who met on the most recent season of The Bachelor, became engaged before they called it quits after filming wrapped in November 2020.
During the episode, Matt told host Emmanuel Acho: “Before Rachael addressed anything or Chris Harrison spoke on anything, I’m trying to be there for her, and I dismissed them as rumors, because that’s what they were to me. You hear things that are heartbreaking … and you just pray they’re not true.
"And then, when you find out that they are, it just makes you question everything."
While the season was airing, photos of Rachael resurfaced that showed her attending an “Antebellum” plantation party with deep ties to the Confederacy in 2018.
The Bachelor star told Emmanuel: “We’re not [together].
“It’s heartbreaking. If you don’t understand that something like that is problematic in 2018, there’s a lot of me that you won’t understand. It’s as simple as that. … You know what was a long time ago? Plantations.”
Matt was joined by Rachael to discuss why their relationship didn't work out.
She broke down in tears as he said she "didn't fully understand my blackness and what it means to be a Black man in America and what it would mean for our kids."
Matt added that seeing the photos "broke my heart."
When Rachael was asked to explain how she is different today than in 2018, she said that he was "the only reason" she joined the show.
The contestant added: "I've never experienced a love like this. I don't see anyone else out there for me. At this point I just don't see how I can have these same feelings for someone else."
Rachael continued to fight back tears as Matt encouraged her to educate herself.
Emmanuel then asked Rachael if there is anything she'd like to tell Matt in case they never speak again.
She wiped tears away before stating: "All I want is for you to be happy and I just want what's best for you and I am sorry.
"I thank God for ever putting you in my life to begin with.
"I'll always be thankful for everything that we shared and the time we had together."
Rachael is not the only The Bachelor star to be called out for "racist" actions this past season, as host Chris Harrison also found himself at the center of controversy.
Chris 49, was accused of "perpetuating racism" during an interview with former Rachel Lindsay – the first Black Bachelorette in history.
The host asked for fans to give Rachael "compassion" amid the scandal as he continuously over the ex Bachelorette and claimed the racism problems were “okay” in 2018 but “not in 2021” – while adding he’s “not the woke police.”
Chris has also repeatedly apologized, though many members of Bachelor Nation claimed his words were “insincere.”
After extended backlash, it was announced the longtime host will NOT return to next season of The Bachelorette.
Former leads Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will replace Chris for the on-camera role, which will air later this year.
Source: Read Full Article