Who Is The Bachelor's Rachael Kirkconnell?
Matt James' Bachelor season may have just started airing but we might already know who won his heart. Spoiler guru Reality Steve revealed that it seems contestant Rachael Kirkconnell is the lucky woman, although he noted that he's not too positive about this intel.
In a blog post, Reality Steve wrote that he is "sure" that Rachael does make it to Matt's top 3 contestants along with Serena Pitt and Michelle Young. He added that he's been told Rachael and Michelle make it to Matt's top 2, while the reports from Rachael's hometown of Cumming, Ga. ar that she wins the season.
"Maybe Rachael did win," he wrote. "All I'm saying is that if she did, she, her family, and her friends are doing an awful job of keeping it secret because word is spreading around Cumming, GA faster than you can shake a stick at. So are these people just dumb and not keeping their mouth shut, or, is this... [a] situation where one person says it, it spreads like wildfire, and it isn't true? I'm not 100% sold on it yet, but, I'm just telling you that's the one I've heard most. I'm also positive Serena P and Michelle don't win. So all signs are pointing to Rachael. Just kinda hilarious if it is true since her family apparently won't shut up about it. Hey, maybe it is that easy this season?"
The Bachelor's Rachael Kirkconnell has never been in love
According to her ABC bio, Rachael is a 24-year-old graphic designer and self-proclaimed "hopeless romantic to her core." Rachael has never fallen in love before and is looking for a "huge and life altering" romance. "She wants to look back on her life when she's old and feel like she has made the absolute most out of every single day," reads her bio.
Rachael seems to be pretty laid-back and loves to relax with a movie, wine, and a charcuterie board. She's looking for someone "who will make every day with her something to tell their future children about." More fun facts about Rachael are that she loves to doodle, "hates slow drivers," and is super organized when it comes to cleanliness but "messy with plans and schedule."
Marie Claire noted that she graduated from Georgia College & State University with a degree in marketing in 2019, and made the Dean's List twice.
Rachael Kirkconnell attracted controversy following her Bachelor fame
While Rachael quickly emerged as one of Matt's frontrunners, it wasn't long before Bachelor viewers discovered some unsavory details about her past. It started after the show's season premiere when a TikTok user uploaded a video that accused Rachael of bullying her "in high school for liking Black guys."
The user later posted a follow-up video with responses from other people who claimed to know Rachael and to have been bullied by the Bachelor contestant.
Matt stood up for Rachael, telling ET that people need "to be really careful about what you are doing on social media." He continued, "Rumors are dark and nasty and can ruin people's lives. So I would give people the benefit of the doubt, and hopefully she will have her time to speak on that... Everyone has a story, and I would just be receptive to that."
Chris Harrison took a break from Bachelor Nation after defending Rachael Kirkconnell
The scandal grew even bigger when college photos of Rachael at a plantation-themed party surfaced (via Screen Rant). Bachelor host Chris Harrison spoke up on Rachael's behalf in an interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay for Extra. "I haven't talked to Rachael about it, we all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion," said Chris.
He added, "The woke police is out there. And this poor girl Rachael, who has just been thrown to the lions, I don't know how you are equipped when you have never done this before... to be ready to handle this."
The resulting backlash led to the longtime host stepping away from the franchise for a time, although he has said he will be back. "I am an imperfect man, I made a mistake and I own that," he said on Good Morning America following the fallout. "I believe that mistake doesn't reflect who I am or what I stand for. I am committed to progress, not just for myself, also for the franchise. And this is a franchise that has been a part of my life for the better part of 20 years and I love it."
Rachael Kirkconnell issued an apology for her behavior on Instagram
Rachael issued an apology on Instagram in a lengthy post, writing, "At one point, I didn't recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn't excuse them. My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. They are not acceptable or okay in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist."
She added, "I am sorry to the communities and individuals that my actions harmed and offended... I am learning and will continue to learn how to be antiracist, because it's important to speak up in the moment and not after you're called out." Rachel concluded her statement with a promise to live up to her apology, acknowledging that she needs to do a lot more work. "I hope can earn your forgiveness through my future actions," she said.
Rachael later released a follow-up video on Instagram, again taking accountability for her past actions. In it, she revealed that some people had told her she had nothing to apologize for but she shot that down. "I think that the first big step in all of this is white people stepping up and taking accountability," she said. "Things will never change if we don't all work together."