BACHELOR Matt James “dated then dumped” the winner of his season as the final four ladies remain on the show, The Celeb Report can reveal.
On tonight’s episode of the ABC series, Rachael Kirkconnell, 24, Michelle Young, 27, Bri Springs, 24, and Serena Pitt, 22, get to see their families on the highly-anticipated hometown dates.
While Bachelor Nation will continue to watch how the season plays out over the next few weeks, a source exclusively told The Celeb Report that the reality hunk “happily dated” his final pick before “blindsiding” her with a sudden breakup. SPOILERS AHEAD!
The ABC leading man didn’t get down on one knee during the finale however, he was still “happy” with Rachael up until he called it quits TODAY, an insider alleged.
“Matt got a call from production today and shortly after, he posted his statement and broke up with Rachael” the informant said.
The split comes as online fury rages on over Rachael’s resurfaced photos from 2018 that show her attending an “Old South” Antebellum-themed party.
“He previously had NO issues with those photos until ABC kept pressing the issue.
“Matt literally just told her that he feels so bad no one is supporting her and everyone will see her true heart and how she did nothing wrong.
“But it seems Matt decided that his image was being tarnished too much and he gave in,” the insider added.
Earlier today, Matt spoke for the first time about the show’s ongoing race issue that has Rachael and host Chris Harrison at the center – calling their behavior “devastating.”
He wrote in a statement: “The past few weeks have been some of the most challenging of my life, and while there are several episodes left of the season, it is important that I take the time to address the troubling information that has come to light since we wrapped filming.
“Including the incredibly disappointing photos of Rachael Kirkconnell and the interview between Rachel Lindsay and Chris Harrison,” the reality star wrote.
The TV star continued: “The reality is that I’m learning about these situations in real time, and it has been devastating and heartbreaking to put it bluntly.
“Chris’s failure to receive and understand the emotional labor that my friend Rachel Lindsay was taking on by graciously and patiently explaining the racist history of the Antebellum South, a painful history that every American should understand intimately, was troubling and painful to watch.”
Rachael sparked massive outrage when photos resurfaced of the Georgia native attending an “Old South” plantation party in 2018.
She’s also been slammed engaging in controversial social media activity – including dressing up in a Native American costume when she was younger and liking posts showing the confederate flag.
After being labeled “racist” by fans, Rachael broke her silence by apologizing for her “offensive” actions.
In the lengthy Instagram apology, she said: “I hear you, and I’m here to say I was wrong.
“At one point, I didn’t recognize how offensive and racist my actions were, but that doesn’t excuse them.”
Last week, The Celeb Report exclusively revealed she sought advice from women of color on the show before writing an apology for past “racist” behavior.
The show’s race problems amplified after host Chris Harrison, 49, asked fans to show “compassion” for Rachael, during an awkward interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay – the first Black lead in franchise history.
The longtime face of the franchise added that he’s not the “woke police” and alleged certain things regarding race were acceptable in 2018 but not in 2021.
Following his comments, fans demanded the host be fired and 25 women from the current season rallied together to denounce his stance in a joint statement.
According to the source, the ladies of Matt James’ season “support” their friend after she apologized for her mistakes.
