Matt James has been on quite the journey, hasn't he?
First, he was chosen as the first Black Bachelor.
Then, his season aired amid the biggest scandal in series history, one that resulted in Chris Harrison stepping aside as host after he bungled a controversy involving racial insensitivity and a suitor.
Then, that same suitor, Rachael Kirkconnell, was selected as Matt's winner.
And then… Matt broke up with Kirkconnell because the two were simply too different and she could not relate to his experiences as an African-American.
And now James is trying to win Rachael back over!
What is going on here?
What does James truly want?
And how many women did he sleep with during Fantasy Suite Week?
James spilled more tea than ever before in a new interview with Wall Street Journal Magazine, excerpts from which we've posted below…
1. It Started Off Great for These Two!
On the season 25 Bachelor finale, Matt and Rachael chose not get engaged… but decided to keep dating and see where their relationship took them. This has become a typical conclusion for many stars of the franchise.
2. And Then?
On After the Final Rose special, Matt revealed that the pair had broken after filming due to the Georgia native’s history of racially insensitive actions, such as attending an Old South–themed party at a plantation in 2018.
3. James Summed It Up Pretty Well at the Time
“If you don’t understand that something like that is problematic in 2018, there’s a lot of me that you won’t understand,” he told guest host Emmanuel Acho on this ABC special. “It’s as simple as that.”
4. Was It That Simple, However?
“I’ve seen Rachael a handful of times,” James told People magazine in late April, addressing reports that the two are giving their romance yet another shot. “I’m not pursuing any relationships right now outside of that. I said I was going to focus on my relationship with her and that means focusing on it.”
5. Wow, Right?!?
Never say never, we guess, even after you refuse to even hug your chosen Bachelor winner on national TV, which Matt did with Rachael at the time after confirming their split on the After the Final Rose episode.
6. What Caused Matt to Change His Mind… Again?
“I think the best way to put it is that we can have critical conversations about being in this relationship and what I need in a partner — especially if that woman isn’t Black — to understand what comes with me and my life and being Black,” he said in the this Wall Street Journal, published on Wednesday, May 5.
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