Rachel Kirkconnell has reacted to the theory that she was blindsided by Matt James

Rachel Kirkconnell sensitively reacting to speculation surrounding her recent split with Matt James.

In the comments on her last Instagram post from December 2024, one social media user theorized Kirkconnell’s reaction to James’ faith-based separation announcement.

“The more I think about it, the more I think he totally blindsided her with it,” the fan wrote on Thursday, January 16. “Give her some mercy and let her answer in her own time.”

Kirkconnell, 28, subtly “liked” the message but offered no further comment. Now a source is telling us Us Weekly that Kirkconnell was not blinded by the division itself, but rather James’ statement and post.

Related: The Bachelor Matt James and Rachel Kirkconnell are splitting up

Former Bachelor Matt James and Rachel Kirkconnell have called it quits four years after finding love on The Bachelor. “Father God, give Rachel and I strength to heal our broken hearts. Give us peace for this decision to end our relationship that passes worldly understanding,” James, 33, wrote via Instagram along with a photo of (…)

A few hours earlier, 33-year-old James confirmed that the couple had ended their relationship.

“Father God, give Rachel and I strength to heal our broken hearts,” James captioned an Instagram photo from their time onwards The Bachelor. “Give us peace (sic) about this decision to end our relationship that surpasses worldly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our joy comes from you, Lord 💔.”

James didn’t elaborate on what led to the breakup, but kept his social media comments off of the upload. Days earlier, he and Kirkconnell participated joint trip to London and uploaded content from their culinary adventures.

Kirkconnell was James’ last choice The Bachelor season 25, which was filmed in 2020. They split briefly after the final when Kirkconnell’s past racially insensitive social media posts resurfaced online only to reconcile a month after the live taping After the final rose special.

Related: Content from London’s Matt James raises questions about Rachel Splitt

Bachelor Nation is having a hard time accepting Matt James and Rachel Kirkconnell has really left him. The 33-year-old ex-Bachelor posted a breakup statement in the early hours of Thursday, January 16, writing: “Father God, give Rachel and I strength to heal our broken hearts. Give us peace for this decision to end (…)

James and Kirkconnell continued to be separated for another three years, often being open about their hesitation to get engaged.

“I feel like when you’re under pressure, that’s when you don’t want to do something,” James exclusively speaking Us Weekly in June 2024 “So I’ve never felt any real pressure (to get engaged) because it’s something I’ve always wanted to do. That’s something we’ll do at some point. This is why we are together and what we work for. I’m excited for our future.”

Four months later, James hinted that the proposal was “the next step” after Kirkconnell chose an engagement ring he liked best.

“I feel like that’s definitely something we want. I’m in his time, Kirkconnell said during a joint performance on the “De-Influenced” podcast in October 2024. “My problem is, I definitely have to go find a ring that I like and everything, but at this point it’s about him. … It’s a problem, I don’t even know what I want.”