Matt JamesandRachael Kirkconnellare in a good place in their relationship, but the pair worked hard to get to where they are today.
“I will say that, you know, of course it was difficult in the moment, but just being able to step back and work on our relationship to assess,” Kirkconnell, 24, said. “Taking a moment away from the spotlight’s been really good for us. It’s been a lot better.”
Asked about whether they have any relationship advice, James joked that he doesn’t “think anyone needs to listen” to his “tips” on romance.
Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James.Michael Loccisano/Getty
“I’m following the lead of everybody else,” James, 29, continued. “You know, I think that I look to people who have been where I’m trying to get to. Rachael’s parents have been in a relationship for a long time. They’ve been married for probably about as long as I’ve been alive.”
“So, you know, relationships that are prospering are what I kind of fix my eyes on and hope to emulate,” he added.
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James and Kirkconnell fell in love on hisBachelorseason, which aired earlier this year. Offscreen, Kirkconnell came under fire for her past racist actions, including being in attendance for anAntebellum-themed fraternity formalwhile in college.
After controversially defending Kirkconnell, longtimeBachelorhostChris Harrisontook a temporary leave of absence from hosting the franchise. Harrison, 49,officially exitedhis role in June.
Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell.Craig Sjodin/ABC via Getty
Though James picked Kirkconnell in the end, he said during March’sAfter the Final Rosespecial that they couldn’t “be in a relationship” and that she needed to “put in that work” to better understand how her past behavior was wrong. (Kirkconnellissued an apologyon Instagram in February.)
After the pair sparked reconciliation rumors following their public breakup, James told PEOPLE in April thathe was “pursuing” a relationshipwith Kirkconnell. The following month, James said that Kirkconnellgave him an “ultimatum.”
“She was like, ‘If you’re going to make this work, let’s do it. But, if you’re not going to make it work, I’m going to let you do your own thing,'” he recalled onthePomppodcast. “That’s really all I needed.”
source: people.com
