Matt James Addresses Allegations Against Rachael Kirkconnell

Sorting out their feelings. Matt James reconsidered how serious he was about the remaining four women during hometown dates on the Monday, February 22, episode of The Bachelor.

Matt James, current star of "The Bachelor," has spoken out amid the show's ongoing scandal.  The program attracted negative attention after photos resurfaced of contestant Rachael Kirkconnell previously attending an "Old South" themed party at a plantation in 2018. Then longtime host Chris Harrison conducted an interview with former "Bachelorette" star Rachel Lindsay, who made history as the first Black Bachelorette, in which he ended up defending Kirkonnell in the interview.

Haley Kluge editorSPOILER ALERT: Do not read if you have not yet watched the Feb. 22 episode of “The Bachelor.”The final four contestants headed to hometowns.

Matt James, the first ever Black romantic lead for ABC’s The Bachelor, spoke out against the controversies surrounding host Chris Harrison and contestant Rachael Kirkconnell. On Monday, James posted a statement on Instagram in which he condemns both Harrison and Kirkconnell’s actions.

Matt James is having his say on the controversy that led to Chris Harrison temporarily stepping down from hosting duties on “The Bachelor”.

Showing solidarity. Matt James addressed the controversy surrounding Chris Harrison’s Bachelor stepdown following his comments about season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell and allegations of racism.

Matt James, the first Black star of The Bachelor, is speaking out in a new statement about his experience on the show and the controversy surrounding contestant Rachael Kirkconnell.

Matt James has more to say about the recent controversies involving host Chris Harrison and contestant Rachael Kirkconnell. The Bachelor issued a lengthy statement on Instagram on Monday, addressing the «troubling» information that has surfaced in recent weeks, and promising fans that they'll «hear more» from him on the topic. In his second apology for defending contestant Rachael Kirkconnell's racist actions, Harrison announced on Feb.

Major cuts! Matt James made difficult decisions about Heather Martin and six of his contestants during the Monday, February 15, episode of The Bachelor.

Matt James' journey continues on screen as the franchise is engulfed in controversy off screen. The real estate broker's budding romance with Rachael Kirkconnell has made headlines amid her resurfaced racist actions, which sheapologized for in a statement on Thursday. However, Rachael — who is still in the running for Matt's heart on — isn't the only one who issued an apology.

Chris Harrison’s controversial defense of Bachelor season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell continues to make headlines, but the show must go on. Matt James’ journey to find love picks up during the Monday, February 15, episode of The Bachelor and contestant Jessenia Cruz finally scores a one-on-one date.

Breaking his silence. Matt James addressed the controversy surrounding Bachelor host Chris Harrison and season 25 contestant Rachael Kirkconnell by sharing his support for Rachel Lindsay on Friday, February 12.

Matt James is showing his support for Rachel Lindsay following the backlash against host Chris Harrison and contestant Rachael Kirkconnell. In a statement on Instagram Story on FridayJames reposted Lindsay's latest Instagram, adding his own sentiments dedicated to the former Bachelorette.«I am beyond grateful to have Rachel as a mentor during this season.

Matt James has felt quite a bit of pressure during his run this year on The Bachelor — and for good reason.

Matt James felt the weight of his role as the first Black man to star on “The Bachelor”. On Thursday, James appeared on “Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen” where the host asked him about feeling pressure about who’d he choose on the final episode.

Matt James felt the weight of his role as the first Black man to star on. On Thursday, James appeared on where the host asked him about feeling pressure about who'd he choose on the final episode. «I've talked to Rachel Lindsay a lot about her time on the show and her experience,» Cohen said, referencing the first Black Bachelorette, who ultimately chose Bryan Abasolo to be her fiancé and now husband.

contestant took to Instagram on Thursday to address the allegations of racism leveled against her. Rachael was an early frontrunner when Matt James' season of premiered last month. However, just after the premiere, a TikTok user accused Rachael of bullying her in the past for dating Black men, and last week, another user accused Rachael of liking racist photos.

United front! The contestants from season 25 of The Bachelor came together to support Rachel Lindsay following Chris Harrison’s controversial comments about Rachael Kirkconnell.