5 Shocking Facts About Matt James’ Journey That Started (But Didn’t End) On The Bachelorette

The question of whether Matt James was ever a contestant on The Bachelorette is one of the most common misconceptions in Bachelor Nation history. The short answer is a definitive no, but the full story of his near-casting is a crucial piece of television trivia that explains how he became the first Black male lead of The Bachelor. His journey from a potential suitor on Clare Crawley’s season to a history-making lead—and his recent, highly-publicized split from Rachael Kirkconnell in early 2025—is a complex narrative that continues to evolve, making his story one of the franchise's most compelling and controversial.

As of December 2025, Matt James remains a prominent figure in pop culture, not just for his historic role but for his life after the show, which includes his work as an entrepreneur and activist. His relationship with his final rose recipient, Rachael Kirkconnell, captivated fans for four years, but recent news confirms the couple has officially parted ways, bringing a dramatic close to one of the franchise's most scrutinized pairings. The following deep dive reveals the untold details of his reality TV origins and what he has been doing since his season aired.

The Complete Biography and Profile of Matthew James

Matthew James, known simply as Matt James, is an American television personality, entrepreneur, and former collegiate athlete. His rise to fame was unprecedented within the Bachelor franchise, as he bypassed the traditional route of being a contestant on The Bachelorette to become the lead of The Bachelor.

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• Full Name: Matthew James
• Born: December 5, 1991
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 34
• Hometown: Raleigh, North Carolina
• Education: Wake Forest University (NCAA Football player)
• Primary Career: Real Estate Broker, TV Personality, Entrepreneur
• Non-Profit Work: Founder of ABC Food Tours, an organization dedicated to engaging students from underserved communities in New York City with food and fitness
• Reality TV History: Originally cast for The Bachelorette (Clare Crawley’s season), Lead of The Bachelor Season 25 (2021)
• Notable Relationships: Rachael Kirkconnell (Final Rose Recipient, split announced in January 2025)
• Best Friend: Tyler Cameron (The Bachelorette Season 15 runner-up)

The Bachelorette Near-Casting: Why Matt James Never Appeared on Clare Crawley’s Season

The confusion surrounding Matt James's appearance on The Bachelorette is entirely warranted. He was, in fact, officially cast as a contestant for Season 16, which was set to star Clare Crawley. This initial casting is the reason he was known to Bachelor Nation fans before his own season even began; he was one of the men vying for Clare's heart.

However, the global health crisis in 2020 caused a significant delay in production. During this hiatus, Matt James's profile skyrocketed. This was largely due to his close friendship with Bachelor Nation favorite Tyler Cameron, with whom he spent time during quarantine. Their highly publicized "Quarantine Crew" activities made Matt a recognizable and popular figure to the franchise's audience.

In a historic move, ABC decided to bypass the traditional casting process. Instead of having him compete for Clare Crawley, the network announced in June 2020 that Matt James would be the lead for the upcoming 25th season of The Bachelor. This decision meant he was officially pulled from the cast of The Bachelorette before filming even began, making him the first Bachelor in franchise history not to have previously appeared on The Bachelorette or Bachelor in Paradise.

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The move was significant for two major reasons: it broke the mold of how the lead was chosen, and more importantly, it made Matt James the franchise’s first-ever Black male lead.

The Historic (and Controversial) Bachelor Season 25

Matt James’s season of The Bachelor, which aired in early 2021, was groundbreaking but also fraught with controversy. As the first Black male lead, his journey was under intense scrutiny from the start. The season culminated with Matt choosing Rachael Kirkconnell as his final recipient, though he did not propose to her.

The real drama unfolded after the season aired. During the broadcast, photos surfaced of Rachael Kirkconnell attending an antebellum-themed party in 2018. This revelation sparked a massive racial controversy within the franchise, leading to a public apology from Rachael and a national conversation about race and privilege that overshadowed the love story.

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During the "After the Final Rose" special, Matt James confirmed that he had broken up with Rachael Kirkconnell due to the controversy. However, their story didn't end there. They reconciled a few months later, beginning a multi-year relationship that was often private but sometimes shared with the public, proving that their connection was strong enough to withstand significant outside pressure.

The Latest Update: Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell Split in 2025

For nearly four years, Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell maintained one of the most enduring post-show relationships in recent Bachelor history. They were frequently seen together, traveled extensively, and often spoke about their future, with Matt even mentioning in early 2024 that an engagement was the goal. Their ability to overcome the initial public backlash and the complexities of their season made them a symbol of resilience for many fans.

However, the couple’s journey officially came to an end in January 2025. Matt James announced the split on his social media, confirming that the couple had parted ways after four years together. The news was particularly shocking to fans, especially as Rachael Kirkconnell later indicated she was "blindsided" by the public announcement of the breakup.

The sudden nature of the split, following years of stability and talk of marriage, has once again placed Matt James at the center of Bachelor Nation headlines. While the exact reasons for the breakup remain private, the announcement marks a definitive end to the relationship that defined his time in the spotlight and his post-show life.

Today, Matt James is focusing on his career as a real estate broker and his philanthropic work with ABC Food Tours. His story remains a testament to how quickly a reality TV path can change, from being a contestant on The Bachelorette to an historic lead on The Bachelor, and finally, to a public figure navigating life and love under intense scrutiny.