Matt James Speaks Out About His Journey
Matt opened up about his journey to find love and how he was disappointed in how the relationship with Rachael ended. He shared that his relationship with Rachael was spectacular and how it felt like an extended honeymoon when the show wrapped. However, when the racially insensitive photos resurfaced, Matt felt hurt and bothered because Rachael didn’t understand what it meant to be black in America. Her lack of self-awareness was the reason for the breakup between the two. He felt like he couldn’t help her until she helped herself and grow as an individual.
James said he tried to help Kirkconnell navigate the harsh criticism and hate behind the scenes and originally didn’t believe the accusations. “You want to believe that you know your person better than anybody else knows your person,” says Matt. However, after his public apology, he realized he had to call off the toxic relationship.
While highlighting race and social justice issues, Matt James shared what it was like to be the very first black Bachelor in franchise history and how it brought him pressure. “You want to make sure you’re on your best behavior in terms of how you’re speaking, how you present yourself,” he said.
“For a lot of people, that was the first time having someone like myself in their home. A lot of what they take away from the show… like it or not, is going to be their perception of how Black people move,” James adds.
