<p id=”par-1_113″>Two weeks ago, Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell fans were shocked to find <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/matt-james-posted-breakup-post-while-rachael-kirkconnell-was-completely-off-the-grid.html/”>a breakup announcement</a> when they opened Instagram. Fans of the longtime <em><a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/tag/the-bachelor/?swcfpc=1″>The Bachelor</a></em> couple were so surprised by the announcement that many questioned if the couple was trying to throw fans off the trial of an engagement or a major move in their relationship. As it turns out, the breakup was very much real, as was the post. Fans shouldn’t feel bad about feeling surprised and blindsided; Kirkconnell was also blindsided by the end of her romance. She recently opened up about the fight that ended it all during a podcast appearance, and followers are pretty annoyed by Matt James. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-rachael-kirkconnell-revealed-she-was-blindsided-by-the-breakup”>Rachael Kirkconnell revealed she was ‘blindsided’ by the breakup </h2>
<p id=”par-2_67″>Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James are <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-news-rachael-kirkconnell-confirms-never-getting-back-together-matt-james.html/”>never getting back together.</a> In the wake of her very public breakup, Kirkconnell has made it clear that the relationship has run its course. Interestingly enough, Kirkconnell has only had about two weeks to come to that conclusion. The end of her relationship was not in the making for months. In fact, she admits to being just as shocked as fans. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-1″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/AFR-Rachael-and-Matt.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James on ‘The Bachelor: After the Final Rose'” class=”wp-image-3764885″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James | Craig Sjodin via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-3_121″>During an appearance on<a href=”https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3qAkv3oruE”> <em>Call Her Daddy</em></a>, Kirkconnell opened up about the breakup that shocked all of Bachelor Nation. She told host Alex Cooper that she was completely blindsided by the end of the relationship. Kirkconnell said James had told her he felt lucky to have her as his partner just days before ending the relationship. As Kirkconnell revealed the more private aspects of her romance to the world, a picture of a complex dynamic that didn’t seem to end with a walk down the aisle was revealed. The duo never lived together; instead, they resided in different cities. They spoke about engagement, but plans were never made. In short, no concrete steps were taken to develop a day-to-day life together. </p>
<h2 class=”wp-block-heading” id=”h-matt-james-post-really-made-it-seem-like-everything-was-fine-nbsp”>Matt James’ post really made it seem like everything was fine </h2>
<p id=”par-4_94″>While Kirkconnell did reveal an argument precipitated the breakup, there is a reason fans were especially shocked and a reason they are so enraged by it. <a href=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/entertainment/the-bachelor-matt-james-spoiled-season-instagram-photo-picture.html/”>Matt James’ Instagram activity </a>gave no indication that he wasn’t perfectly in love with his girlfriend. In fact, James had posted videos from his travels with Kirkconnell just hours before issuing the breakup announcement. Perhaps, if the reality TV star hadn’t acted content and happy literally hours before breaking up with Kirkconnell, fans would have been less shocked. They may have been less angry on Kirkconnell’s behalf, too. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-full” id=”emb-2″><img decoding=”async” src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/01/Rachael-Kirkconnell-Matt-James.webp?strip=all&quality=80″ alt=”Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James holding hands and facing each other during ‘The Bachelor’ Season 25 finale. Rachael is wearing a green dress and Matt is wearing a suit while holding a rose.” class=”wp-image-3764020″><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James | Craig Sjodin via Getty Images</figcaption></figure>
<p id=”par-5_43″>Following James’ announcement, fans flooded social media to discuss what went wrong between the couple. It appears that James is receiving most of the criticism. He is being accused of leading Kirkconnell on. So, why exactly are fans so angry with Matt James? </p>
<p id=”par-6_97″>In short, many followers seem to think that the length of the relationship indicates James was stringing Kirkconnell along. They don’t think he ever intended to marry her. In the weeks following the split, fans sounded off on Instagram and <a href=”https://www.reddit.com/r/BachelorNation/comments/1ico75k/comment/m9wedvi/”>Reddit</a>, many sharing stories of being similarly led on by partners who suddenly decided, after years, that they were not marriage material. While it’s common to date for two or more years before engagement, the lack of planning and the sudden change in sentiment Kirkconnell described in her podcast interview has seemingly irritated fans on her behalf. </p>
<figure class=”wp-block-image size-large” id=”emb-3″><img decoding=”async” fetchpriority=”high” width=”2560″ height=”1735″ src=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg?w=1024&h=694&strip=all&quality=89″ alt=”Matt James” class=”wp-image-2184291″ srcset=”https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg 2560w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg?w=640&h=434 640w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg?w=768&h=521 768w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg?w=1024&h=694 1024w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg?w=1536&h=1041 1536w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg?w=2048&h=1388 2048w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg?w=1200&h=813 1200w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg?w=89&h=60 89w, https://www.cheatsheet.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/matt-james-min-scaled.jpg?w=150&h=102 150w” sizes=”(max-width: 2560px) 100vw, 2560px”><figcaption class=”wp-element-caption”>Matt James | Craig Sjodin via Getty Images </figcaption></figure>
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<p id=”par-7_38″>James has not returned to Instagram since posting the breakup announcement. He has been blocking followers who show up to spread negativity in his comment section, though. It is unclear when he might return to the platform. </p>