Courtesy of Showpo/Instagram
Rachael Kirkconnell Says Public Matt James Split Let Her View Relationship Without ‘Rose Colored Lenses’
Rachael Kirkconnell’s public breakup with ex Matt James allowed her to see their relationship without “rose colored lenses,” she exclusively tells Life & Style.
“I think I try to tell myself everything’s a blessing in disguise, even if you can’t see it at the time,” Rachael, 28, tells Life & Style about going through the split in the public eye while promoting her “Golden Era” clothing line with Showpo. “Looking back on it, obviously I wish that things went down differently and I think I’m still wishing I had a little bit more privacy in the beginning.”
Fans first got to know Rachael when she appeared on season 25 of The Bachelor, and ultimately got Matt’s final rose. The couple remained together until January when Matt, 33, announced they had called it quits in an Instagram post.
“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts. Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding,” he wrote at the time. “Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our Joy comes from you, Lord.”
Shortly after Matt shared the post, several theories began to spread online speculating about their reason for the split. She later opened up about their split during her January appearance on “Call Her Daddy,” where she recalled their breakup conversation and seeing his Instagram post for the first time.
Despite wishing that their breakup had been more private, Rachael admits that there were some silver linings in the situation.
“I also think that just being thrown into the public like that and just having to handle it with everyone else, I think it helped me move on and in an easier way if that makes,” she explains. “I think having to handle it publicly really allowed me to hold myself accountable and … to put my foot down and to really take a step back and look at everything without rose colored lenses on.”
One project that she’s putting her energy into is her “Golden Era” collaboration with Showpo. After noting that she’s “been a fan of the brand for a minute,” Rachael tells Life & Style that she “definitely jumped at the opportunity” to work with them.
“[It’s] called the ‘Golden Era, ‘but the inspo was really like golden hour. A lot of the pieces were golden hour inspired,” she shares. “But then we were like, ‘OK, how can we make a fun little twist out of this and incorporate me and what’s currently going on in my life?’ So, we switched over to ‘Golden Era.’”
Rachael explains that “the whole line is mostly about just finding [her] confidence and getting those pieces that you just know when you put it on, It’s going to make you look good.”
The Georgia native adds that it was important to her that the line was versatile. “You can style it a bunch of different ways. Wear them to so many different events,” she says. “Whether you’re out with your girls, whether you’re going on a first date, whether you’re going to a concert, anything, you’ll find something for every occasion.”
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