On the latest episode of Call Her Daddy, former Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell shared intimate details about her breakup with Matt James. The couple, who had been together for four years, ended their relationship after a tense dinner in Japan. Kirkconnell revealed that the tension began the night before when she felt overwhelmed by the pressure to find suitable dining spots, a task made more challenging due to James' career demands. Despite initial harmony during their trip, a disagreement over restaurant selection escalated into a significant emotional breakdown. The following day, deeper issues surfaced, leading James to express concerns about compatibility and accountability. Ultimately, the relationship concluded abruptly, with Kirkconnell returning to Atlanta just hours after their final conversation.

Kirkconnell recounted how the strain started during their recent trip to Japan. While initially everything seemed fine, the 28-year-old felt an increasing sense of pressure as they filmed every meal for James' career. "I was feeling very overwhelmed," she said, explaining that finding the right restaurants became a source of stress. On the night before the split, she asked for help choosing a dinner spot, but James dismissed it as unimportant. This led to feelings of frustration and disappointment. When they finally arrived at the chosen restaurant, it wasn't what she expected, causing her to shed tears. "We didn’t speak much during the meal," Kirkconnell recalled, highlighting the growing rift between them.

The next morning, tensions flared further. James questioned why she got so emotional over what he considered minor issues. "He found it concerning that I got that emotional," Kirkconnell explained. She felt misunderstood and punished for expressing her feelings. Later, when they discussed their irritations, James expressed worries about certain qualities that he believed would be problematic in a wife. "There were just qualities about me that he worries about having in a wife," she said. These concerns, coupled with issues around accountability and saying sorry, became pivotal points in their breakup discussion.

Despite the heated conversation, the couple went to bed that night with things seemingly calm. However, the following day, they revisited their annoyances, which quickly spiraled into a larger argument. James ultimately decided to end the relationship, leaving Kirkconnell to return to Atlanta. Just two hours later, while preparing for her flight, she saw James' cryptic Instagram post announcing their breakup. This sudden public announcement came as a shock, especially given their previous discussions about wedding plans. In February 2024, James had told PEOPLE that they were aligned on their future plans, including marriage. "We wouldn’t be together if that wasn’t the same goal," he had said, indicating a promising future that now seemed distant.

Reflecting on the end of their four-year journey, Kirkconnell's candid account reveals the complexities and pressures that contributed to their breakup. The combination of career demands, emotional misunderstandings, and deeper compatibility issues ultimately led to the dissolution of their relationship. While they had once envisioned a future together, the reality of their differences proved too challenging to overcome. Kirkconnell’s openness provides a glimpse into the personal struggles behind one of the most high-profile relationships from The Bachelor franchise.