BACHELOR winner Rachael Kirkconnell was seen for the first time since the show’s racism scandal as she exited Matt James’ apartment in New York City.
In photos exclusively obtained by The Sun, the Georgia native was spotted at her ex-boyfriend’s Big Apple home as the pair reunited following their emotional split.
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Rachael, 24, has been in NYC all week to “work on her relationship" with Matt, 29, as The Sun previously reported.
The reality star left his Lower East Side luxury apartment solo as she walked around the surrounding neighborhood.
She rocked a black crop top with grey jogger pants complete with white Nike sneakers.
As the former graphic designer strolled around the busy area, she kept her face mask on the entire time.
The photographer present asked several times how she is doing and how life has been post-Bachelor however, Rachael remained silent.
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She also remained mum when she was asked if she is rekindling her romance with her ex.
Matt gave her his final rose on this season’s finale but the pair split soon after as she was accused of “racist” behavior by attending an Antebellum party in 2018.
Weeks after the season ended, a source revealed to The Sun that the pair came face-to-face for the first time since the After The Final Rose special.
"Rachael is in New York City with Matt right now, they're working on their relationship and seeing if it's salvageable.
“They still have a lot of work to do, but they are figuring out things together instead of apart over text,” an insider alleged.
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The informant said the New Yorker has been in communication with Rachael for “a few weeks” now.
While the source claimed the decision is “ultimately up to Matt” as he “needed time” while Rachael “has been trying to win him over again,” he does recognize she’s taken action to implement change.
The insider added: “Now, he has seen Rachael has done the work to educate herself and right her wrongs and he does believe she's changed.
“Though he did not believe she was a bad person, she did have ignorance.
“He's open to rekindling their romance but is trying to take things slowly as he got really burned by the breakup.
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“She still needs to earn his trust but he's now finally ready to give her the chance to do that for the first time in months.”
In the months since their breakup, Rachael has gone on to apologize multiple times and has continuously shared resources that help the Black community.
Matt told Rachael he cannot "imagine his life without” her and even said he knew she was his "future wife and mother of his children” on the finale - which was filmed in November.
Though the couple initially made their relationship work, they broke up off-camera sometime in February, The Sun first revealed.
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The aftermath of their breakup was aired in a tension-filled segment on After The Final Rose last night with host Emmanuel Acho orchestrating the strained relationship.
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While the season was airing, photos of Rachael resurfaced that showed her attending an “Antebellum” plantation party with deep ties to the Confederacy in 2018.
Though Matt appeared furious on ATFR and hardly said a word or looked at his ex, they have since worked on things and are said to be in a better place.
Bachelor star Matt James explains why he had to break up with Rachael
