“It was in that moment and the conversation that I had, that Rachael might not understand what it means to be Black in America. I wasn’t OK,” Matt said about the controversy.

“As someone who grew up in the South, it takes me to a place that I don’t often like to think about. The leading man talked more about his decision to walk away from their romance during a sit-down with Rachael on After the Final Rose, hosted by Emmanuel Acho. Rachael can’t wait until she can finally share her side of the story once the finale airs,” added the source. At the end of the day, he cared more about protecting himself, supporting his friend Rachel Lindsay and speaking out against the franchise. “Matt broke up with Rachael mainly due to the backlash. “Matt and Rachael Kirkconnell are no longer together,” an insider exclusively told Life & Style on March 8, one day after Matt released a statement condemning Rachael’s past social media behavior. The status of their relationship has since changed following Rachael’s racism scandal, which began after the season 25 premiere in January.