Could Matt James or Rachael Kirkconnell Return to The Bachelor?

The news that Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell broke up really took Bachelor Nation fans by total surprise. Matt shared the unexpected split news in a January 16 Instagram post, with a very odd break-up caption. He even tagged Rachael in his post. However, just hours before, he had shared a video of him and Rachael eating pizza in London.

In the days since Matt's cryptic post, Rachael had hinted on social media that she was also taken aback by the breakup post. She liked posts suggesting that she was totally blindsided. Now that the two are no longer together, The Bachelor host Jesse Palmer is inviting them to possibly find love again on reality TV.

Jesse Palmer Would 'Absolutely' Have Matt James Or Rachael Kirkconnell Back On The Bachelor Franchise After Their Split

The news that any Bachelor Nation couple have chosen to breakup is heartbreaking, but Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell's split was especially shocking. It seemed to come out of nowhere as the two were last sharing Instagram posts trying food around London and appearing very much in love.

Just like the rest of the world, The Bachelor and The Bachelorette host Jesse Palmer also found the breakup heartbreaking. While speaking to Us Weekly, Jesse expressed that it was "really sad" to see these two split after more than four years together.

"First off, I was really sad to read that and see that as well. And I certainly hope they’re both doing OK. This must be a really, really tough time for the two of them. And I know they want [and] are going to need time to process everything that happened."

Surprisingly, the outlet asked Jesse his thoughts on seeing either Matt or Rachael back on Bachelor Nation in some capacity. Would Matt want to be The Bachelor all over again? Would Rachael see herself as the lead on The Bachelorette after going through heartbreak?

"I think it's open," Jesse told Us Weekly.

He elaborated on his thoughts about seeing the alums back on the show. "I think the last thing they wanted to think about is rushing back into the show. These decisions go way above my head. I absolutely think, though, that the show would consider having one or both back at some point down the road if they were open to it. Absolutely.”

Would Bachelor Nation fans want to see Matt or Rachael back on reality TV looking for love again? It definitely is way too early to even give it a thought, as both exes have yet to speak out about the reason for their split.

Rachael Liked An Instagram Comment About Being "Blindsided"

Fans are eager to know more about what exactly went down between Rachael and Matt. They both have not publicly commented on the news of their split. However, these same fans have noticed that Rachael began liking Instagram comments that suggested that the breakup came out of nowhere.

On Rachael's Instagram page, The Bachelor contestant liked a comment from a follower that read, "The more I’m thinking about it the more I think he completely blindsided her with this. Give her some grace and let her respond in her own time."

Rachael also liked a follower's comment that simply read, "I'm so sorry."

Matt chose Rachael at the finale of Season 25 of The Bachelor. He decided not to propose to her. At the After the Final Rose special in March 2021, the two revealed that they had split following racially insensitive photos of Rachael making their way on the internet. Their break-up was short-lived.

According to Us Weekly, there are also allegations that Matt may have cheated on Rachael. The outlet reported that Rachael reposted TikToks about breakups, with one in particular having a caption that read, "Actual footage of me breaking into my friend’s man’s house after finding out they cheated."

A source for Us Weekly also suggested that Rachael and Matt had trust issues. "It was hard for Rachael to trust him,” the source said. “Rachael really wanted to get married and settle down, and they were not on the same page. She felt like she was waiting around, and he would never give her what she wanted." But, this is all speculative.

There Are Currently 10 Bachelor/Bachelorette Couples Who Are Still Together With Their Final Pick

With Matt and Rachael seemingly over, there are currently only 10 Bachelor Nation couples who are still together with the contestant they chose in the finale. (This isn't counting Bachelor in Paradise couples).

The most iconic Bachelor Nation couple is by far, The Bachelorette's first-ever lead, Trista Sutter, and her husband, Ryan Sutter. The two got married in 2003, and are still together today.

In December 2024, Trista shared a touching tribute to her husband celebrating 21 years of marriage.

"It was Dec. 6, 2003 and I didn’t think I could be any happier. 🤍

As I look back to that incredibly special day, I recognize that I was in fact, insanely happy. Definitely the happiest I had ever been. But throw a life woven together over 21 years with babies and fur babies, peaks and valleys, love and lots and lots of laughter - and I know a different happiness. A true, solid, faithful, happiness where I feel seen, known and deeply loved."

It wouldn't be until Season 13 of The Bachelor that fans would get another happily ever after when Jason Mesnick met and married Molly Mesnick. Season 17's The Bachelor saw lead Sean Lowe find love with Catherine Giudici, while Season 22's Bachelor Arie Luyendyk Jr. shocked fans when he chose the wrong girl and asked runner-up Lauren Burnham for her hand in marriage. Season 27's Zach Shallcross found his forever with contestant Kaity Biggar.

As for The Bachelorette leads who found their romantic partner, there were Season 9's Desiree Siegfried who wed Chris Siegfried, Season 12's JoJo Fletcher who chose Jordan Rodgers, and Season 20's Charity Lawson, finding the one in contestant Dotun Olubeko.

Joey Graziadei is the latest Bachelor lead (and should we mention Season 33 DWTS winner), to end up with his pick, Kelsey Anderson. But here's hoping new Bachelor Grant Ellis also finds love. And, of course, fans are hoping that the first-ever Golden Bachelorette, Joan Vassos, will make her relationship work with Chock Chapple.