The host of The Bachelor's After The Final Rose special, Emmanuel Acho, recently spoke about his thoughts on Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell's reconciliation. Emmanuel was named the host shortly after Chris Harrison was on temporary leave following a racially insensitive conversation he had with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay. During the special, Emmanuel touched upon Rachael Kirkconnell's racially insensitive actions and how her past affected her relationship with Matt.
During the interview, Rachael took full accountability for her actions and understood why Matt decided to break it off with her. Even though she knew she and Matt may never get back together, Rachael wanted him to know she truly loved him during and after they filmed the reality series. It turns out Matt felt the same way as the couple was rumored to be dating again just a few weeks later.
The former linebacker recently did a guest appearance on Kaitlyn Bristowe's Off The Vine podcast, where the two discussed Matt and Rachael getting back together following the intense ATFR special. In fact, Emmanuel kind of saw the reconciliation coming. "Matt’s hands were tied. His hands were tied. I tried to untie them," the 30-year-old explained on Tuesday's episode. "I don’t think they ended up running it, but I asked, ‘Would you be in this relationship if not for pressure from the Black community?’ […] I tried to let the world know, ‘Hey Matt, blink twice." He knew the decision would be difficult for the former football player and knew it would be impossible for him to leave that stage "without getting crucified." Matt wouldn't even console the 24-year-old in front of the cameras out of fear of what the Black community would say about him.
However, that didn't mean the 29-year-old wasn't there for Rachael off-screen. "As soon as they left, it was his arm over hers. There was still so much affection," Emmanuel noted. The love between Matt and Rachael was evident during his season. Matt even told Rachael he was following in love with her after their first one-on-one date. "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 revealed to Us Weekly at the time, regarding the pair's first official date. Off-screen, the graphic designer was under fire for her past racially insensitive actions, including photos from an Old South-themed sorority party she attended in 2018.
Emmanuel knew from the moment The Bachelor's Matt and Rachael stepped out on that stage that they would find a way back to one another. Even though Rachael has done and said some racially insensitive things in her past, Matt knows her heart and is willing to accept her past to be with the person he knows today.
Sources: Off The Vine, Us Weekly
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