Bachelor

Bachelor’s Rachael Kirkconnell: A Guide to the Controversial Contestant’s Family

February 26, 2021

A Guide to Rachael Kirkconnells Family — Courtesy Rachael Kirkconnell/Instagram

The 24-year-old graphic designer came under fire following the January 4 premiere of season 25 when a TikTok user accused her of being racist in high school. Screenshots of Instagram photos that Rachael “liked” featuring her friends smiling in front of Confederate flags subsequently surfaced via social media.

According to Reddit users, Rachael’s mother defended her daughter at the time via her since-deleted Instagram account.

“We are against the Confederate flag. I just don’t understand how you can say she or anyone in her family agrees with the Confederate flag because she ‘liked’ a pic of her friend,” Kim reportedly wrote, claiming the TikTok user didn’t even go to Rachael’s high school. “The ‘like’ had nothing to do with her liking the Confederate flag. We do not support racism of any kind. It is 100 percent wrong. All people should be treated fairly and with dignity, love and kindness.”

Matt, for his part, previously warned Bachelor Nation that “rumors are dark and nasty and can ruin people’s lives” and told Entertainment Tonight on February 2 that he hoped Rachael “will have her time to speak on that.”

Rachael later made headlines for photos of her at an Antebellum-themed fraternity formal on a Georgia plantation in 2018. After Chris Harrison was accused of defending her past actions during an interview with Rachel Lindsay on Extra, Rachael broke her silence on the controversy.

“While there have been rumors circulating, there have also been truths that have come to light that I need to address. I hear you, and I’m here to say I was wrong,” she wrote on February 11. “At one point, I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn’t excuse them. My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. They are not acceptable or okay in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.”

Rachael continued: “I am sorry to the communities and individuals that my actions harmed and offended. I am ashamed about my lack of education, but it is no one’s responsibility to educate me. I am learning and will continue to learn how to be antiracist, because it’s important to speak up in the moment and not after you’re called out. If you are a person who doesn’t understand the offense in question, I urge you to learn from my mistakes and encourage you to use them as a teachable moment.”

Us editors discuss Colton Underwood’s coming out in this Here for the Right Reasons podcast highlight!

After Harrison’s Extra interview, the host announced that he wouldn’t be featured on the upcoming live After the Final Rose taping. While Matt shared support for the season 13 Bachelorette amid the scandal, he previously opened up to Us Weekly about how he was falling in love with Rachael after their first one-on-one date.

“Night one, what she chose to use her time with me to speak about was very intentional. And it wasn’t something that wasn’t going to progress our relationship,” he said on Us’ “Here for the Right Reasons” podcast earlier this month. “And then when I saw on the first group date, and I’m referring to all these instances that aren’t one-on-ones, because that was how our relationship was lived out, you know, I hadn’t had that one-on-one time with her yet. And when I had that day to spend with her and really get to know her better, it just affirmed everything I had already felt.”

Matt added at the time that he didn’t know “the rules and regulations” of dropping an L-bomb on the show.

“And so, whenever I felt something, I said it,” he said. “And I only said things that I meant and felt. So, if that got tossed around a few times, it’s because I felt it. And if it doesn’t, then that means that connection hadn’t gotten to that point yet.”

The Bachelor airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET.

Scroll through for a breakdown of the Kirkconnell family:

Credit: Courtesy Rachael Kirkconnell/Instagram

Bachelor’s Rachael Kirkconnell: A Guide to the Controversial Contestant’s Family

As Rachael Kirkconnell continues to make headlines, the controversial Bachelor contestant’s family, including parents Darrell and Kim Kirkconnell, will meet Matt James on the Monday, February 22, episode of The Bachelor. The 24-year-old graphic designer came under fire following the January 4 premiere of season 25 when a TikTok user accused her of being racist in high school. Screenshots of Instagram photos that Rachael “liked” featuring her friends smiling in front of Confederate flags subsequently surfaced via social media. According to Reddit users, Rachael’s mother defended her daughter at the time via her since-deleted Instagram account. “We are against the Confederate flag. I just don’t understand how you can say she or anyone in her family agrees with the Confederate flag because she ‘liked’ a pic of her friend,” Kim reportedly wrote, claiming the TikTok user didn't even go to Rachael's high school. “The ‘like’ had nothing to do with her liking the Confederate flag. We do not support racism of any kind. It is 100 percent wrong. All people should be treated fairly and with dignity, love and kindness.” Matt, for his part, previously warned Bachelor Nation that “rumors are dark and nasty and can ruin people’s lives” and told Entertainment Tonight on February 2 that he hoped Rachael “will have her time to speak on that.” Rachael later made headlines for photos of her at an Antebellum-themed fraternity formal on a Georgia plantation in 2018. After Chris Harrison was accused of defending her past actions during an interview with Rachel Lindsay on Extra, Rachael broke her silence on the controversy. [jwplayer tUt6Z0Xl-l3ahXupL] “While there have been rumors circulating, there have also been truths that have come to light that I need to address. I hear you, and I’m here to say I was wrong,” she wrote on February 11. “At one point, I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn’t excuse them. My age or when it happened does not excuse anything. They are not acceptable or okay in any sense. I was ignorant, but my ignorance was racist.” Rachael continued: “I am sorry to the communities and individuals that my actions harmed and offended. I am ashamed about my lack of education, but it is no one’s responsibility to educate me. I am learning and will continue to learn how to be antiracist, because it’s important to speak up in the moment and not after you’re called out. If you are a person who doesn’t understand the offense in question, I urge you to learn from my mistakes and encourage you to use them as a teachable moment.” Us editors discuss Colton Underwood's coming out in this Here for the Right Reasons podcast highlight! After Harrison’s Extra interview, the host announced that he wouldn’t be featured on the upcoming live After the Final Rose taping. While Matt shared support for the season 13 Bachelorette amid the scandal, he previously opened up to Us Weekly about how he was falling in love with Rachael after their first one-on-one date. “Night one, what she chose to use her time with me to speak about was very intentional. And it wasn’t something that wasn’t going to progress our relationship,” he said on Us’ "Here for the Right Reasons” podcast earlier this month. “And then when I saw on the first group date, and I’m referring to all these instances that aren’t one-on-ones, because that was how our relationship was lived out, you know, I hadn’t had that one-on-one time with her yet. And when I had that day to spend with her and really get to know her better, it just affirmed everything I had already felt.” Matt added at the time that he didn’t know “the rules and regulations” of dropping an L-bomb on the show. “And so, whenever I felt something, I said it,” he said. “And I only said things that I meant and felt. So, if that got tossed around a few times, it’s because I felt it. And if it doesn’t, then that means that connection hadn’t gotten to that point yet.” The Bachelor airs on ABC Mondays at 8 p.m. ET. Scroll through for a breakdown of the Kirkconnell family:

Credit: Darrell Kirkconnell/Facebook

Meet the Parents

The Kirkconnell family lives in Cumming, Georgia, a suburb outside of Atlanta.

Credit: Courtesy Rachael Kirkconnell/Instagram

Sister, Sister

Rachael is close with her sister, Trinity, who is six years younger than her. Rachael referred to the dancer as her “built-in best friend” in December 2020 via Instagram.

Credit: Darrell Kirkconnell/Facebook

The Youngest

Rachael also has a 14-year-old brother named Greyson.

Credit: Darrell Kirkconnell/Facebook

Proud Dad

Darrell paid tribute to Rachael on her 22nd birthday in September 2018 via Facebook, writing, “You are an amazing young lady and you make mom and I so proud. We love you!!!”

Credit: ABC/Craig Sjodin

Matt’s In-Laws?

Rachael was among the final four still competing for Matt’s heart when it was time for hometown dates. He also met the families of Bri Springs, Michelle Young and Serena Pitt.

Credit: Craig Sjodin/ABC

The Kirkconnells Meet Matt

During the February 22 episode, Rachael’s dad wasn’t convinced that Matt was The One for his daughter.

"To me, it's very quick to get to the point where you're talking about getting engaged or married … it's unrealistic,” Darrell told Matt after the Bachelor tried to reassure the concerned dad.

During a chat with Rachael, Darrell added, "We just want to make sure you're being respected and all that.”

Credit: Courtesy of Darrell Kirkconnell/Facebook

Kim Goes on the Record

Rachael’s mother defended her daughter during a lengthy interview with The Sun published on February 25.

“She dropped out of her sorority that same year and was disaffiliated for the rest of her time in school because she did not share their views and beliefs and did not want to be a part of it anymore,” Kim said before providing more context into the now-infamous “Old-South” party. “The word antebellum was never used to describe the event. The event made no references to the Civil War, the word antebellum was never used to describe the event, no Confederate flags were present, and no Confederate outfits were worn. They did not party on a plantation in the dresses. They took some pictures, changed, and went to the beach.”

Kim also claimed that Rachael didn’t even go to the same high school as the TikTok user who alleged Rachael bullied her for “liking Black guys.” The family is debating taking legal action.

Credit: Craig Sjodin/ABC

Kirkconnell Family Reacts to Chris Harrison

“It was disappointing for many reasons,” Kim told The Sun about the host’s Extra interview. “But it was particularly frustrating because his stance is the exact opposite of how Rachael feels about the situation.”

Credit: Courtesy of Darrell Kirkconnell/Facebook

How They Are Coping

“It has been demoralizing and depressing. Many of us have received threats,” Kim said. “But mostly I just worry about Rachael because she has been by far the most devastated by this. These are issues that she is very passionate about, and she feels like she let everyone down.”

She continued: “We will never be able to understand how he feels about this situation as a Black man. We respect his stance on the situation. We have seen the devastation and heartbreak this has caused for Rachael. … This isn’t about winning a show. This was about finding love with Matt.”

Credit: ABC

Darrell’s Background

Bachelor viewers questioned Rachael’s dad’s ethnicity after the hometown date aired. Kim told The Sun that Darrell’s parents were born in Honduras, meaning Rachael is part Latina. “I don’t understand how your voting registration supports that you are a racist,” Kim added.

Credit: Craig Sjodin/ABC

Rachael’s Future With Matt

“If he chooses Rachael, and stands by her, then you know Matt does truly love her,” Kim concluded. “If he chooses Rachael, and then leaves her, then it was not meant to be, and there is someone else out there for her.”

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