Rachael Kirkconnell is opening up about her dating life following her breakup from Matt James.
Kirkconnell and James met on his season of The Bachelor in 2020. James gave her his final rose, however, he chose not to propose. The two briefly split after racially insensitive photos of Kirkconnell resurfaced online, but reconciled in April 2021 before ultimately ending their relationship in January 2025.
During the Thursday, Oct. 16 episode of Extra Dirty, Kirkconnell opened up to podcast host Hallie Batchelder about dating again, revealing that it’s been “years” since she’s slept with anyone.
“I feel like a virgin again. OK, I don’t think that we’ve like discussed, guys. I haven’t had sex way longer than you think. I’ll just put it that way,” Kirkconnell said. “It’s been years. Years. It has been so long.”
“And that’s why I’m saying like I feel like a virgin again to where I don’t want to just give it up to anyone,” she continued. “It’s like almost like I can’t just like hook up with someone random at this point because it’s been so long that I want it to be incredible.”
“I’ve been so chronically single. I haven’t been on a single date. I’m not on the apps. I’m not judging anyone who is on the apps, but I just don’t think that would work well for me,” she added. “But honestly, if it gets to a point, I might have to jump on them.”
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After Kirkconnell’s comments made rounds online, fans began to question the nature of her and James’ relationship.
“Not sure the world needed to know that lol, but also I’m shocked if she’s insinuating they never slept together. Very odd unless he’s super religious or just not that into her,” wrote one commenter on Reddit.
“I believe this. I never saw any physical sexual chemistry between them on the show/post show. They always seemed like best friends who really liked one another without any heat lol,” added another.
Others criticized Kirkconnell for seemingly talking about her and James’ sex life, though she never mentioned him by name.
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Also during the interview, Kirkconnell said she related to demisexuality, which is a sexual orientation where a person experiences sexual attraction only after forming a strong emotional bond with another person.
“I have to feel safe and comfortable with them and be emotionally invested at least in a way that I could see us dating or I at least have a crush on them,” she said. “It’s not a physical attraction, I guess.”
This story was originally reported by Parade on Oct 21, 2025, where it first appeared in the News section. Add Parade as a Preferred Source by clicking here.
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