Rachael Kirkconnell: 10 things to know about 'The Bachelor' star Matt James' bachelorette Rachael Kirkconnell -- PLUS Photo Gallery!

Rachael Kirkconnell has emerged as a frontrunner on Matt James' The Bachelor season.


Rachael is a 24-year-old graphic designer from Cumming, GA.

Matt appeared taken with Rachael on Night 1 of his journey to find love, but the couple's one-on-one date in which Rachael was treated to a shopping spree really sealed the deal.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' SEASON 25 BACHELORETTES ANNOUNCED! MEET ALL OF MATT JAMES' LADIES! (PHOTOS)

"Week after week, she continues to impress me. She's never been the first one to run to me and she's not the loudest woman in the room, but she's very confident and assure of herself, and that shines louder than anything else," Matt said in a confessional.


Over a fancy dinner, Rachael admitted to Matt that she was still really nervous around him, explaining, "I am already completely falling in love with you, and I want to walk out of here with you. I want to start my life with you, and I hope that will happen."

Matt then told Rachael without fear or hesitation, "You're not crazy because I feel the same way... Rachael, I'm falling in love with you too, and it is scary to say, but when I'm with you, it just feels right."

Matt told the cameras he could envision himself getting down on one knee and proposing marriage to Rachael at the end of the season.

Until viewers can watch Rachael and Matt's romance continue to blossom on The Bachelor, let's learn some things about this bachelorette right now.

Below is a list of 10 facts Reality TV World has compiled about Rachael Kirkconnell.

There's more to Rachael Kirkconnell than just her sweet smile

When announcing Matt's cast of bachelorettes in a Facebook Live video, The Bachelor host Chris Harrison revealed, "Rachael is just a down-to-earth southern girl, really personable and just as sweet as cotton candy."

"But also very competitive," Chris added.

"Don't let that southern side fool ya! Again, I go back to [Hannah Brown] and [Hannah Ann Sluss] and all of our Hannahs. She has that sweet southern charm, but trust me, they can take care of their own."

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' SPOILERS: WHO DID MATT JAMES PICK AND END UP WITH? WHAT HAPPENS ON THE 2021 SEASON OF 'THE BACHELOR' (SPOILERS)

Rachael says she went on the show for the right reasons

Rachael insists Matt is the reason why she decided to apply for The Bachelor and appear on the show for its 2021 season.


The bachelorette liked the idea of both Matt and herself appearing on the reality show for the first time given Matt had never competed on The Bachelorette prior to being named The Bachelor star for Season 25.

Rachael predicted the pair would have a lot of fun together on the show as newbies.

Rachael decided to go to college near home

Rachael graduated from Georgia College & State University in Milledgeville, GA in May 2019 with a BBA Marketing degree.

Rachael made the Dean's List for multiple semesters.

The brunette beauty says she is looking for a once-in-a-lifetime love

Rachael claims to be a hopeless romantic to her core, but she admits her past relationships didn't work out partially because she lacked confidence.


Rachael has apparently never been in love before, just like Matt, but she believes Matt could be the guy to change that.

Rachael says she is hoping her love story will be something huge and life altering.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)  

Rachael appears to be a well-traveled social butterfly

According to Rachael's social-media account, she has traveled quite a bit for a 24 year old.

Dubbed a "southern sweetheart" by ABC, Rachael has visited Saint John in the U.S. Virgin Islands and also touched down in many U.S. states with her friends -- including Florida, New York, California, Chicago, Louisiana, Las Vegas, North Carolina, and Alabama.

The Bachelor bachelorette attempts to live big with no regrets

Nothing makes Rachael happier than a good movie, good wine and charcuterie boards.

She says she wants to look back on her life when she's old and feel like she has made the absolute most out of every single day.

Rachael hopes to find a man who will make every day with her special and something to tell their future children about.

Rachael has already been the subject of nasty online allegations

A TikTok user named Maddy Bierster posted a video clip of Rachael and Matt talking on Night 1 at the cocktail party on Reddit and wrote over the image, "Girlieeee, remember when you bullied me in high school for liking black guys???"

Maddy also captioned her post on TikTok, "BECAUSE I REMEMBER."

Many fans reacted with shock and concern for Matt since The Bachelor star seemed to really like Rachael on the first night and she could go far this season.


Reality Steve spoiler blogger Steve Carbone shared his thoughts on the controversy when he tweeted January 4, "Think it's all fun and games and IG shilling being a contestant on this show? Not necessarily when anyone from your past can throw out accusations and you won't be able to defend yourself for a while."

Maddy later insisted in videos on her TikTok she'd never lie about anything so serious and Rachael and her friend group in high school had "ridiculed" her for dating a boy of a different race. She suggested Rachael is hypocritical and needs to be held accountable for her actions.

Maddy also claimed she never received an apology from Rachael and would like one.

In addition, Rachael has been accused of liking racist and/or insensitive material on Instagram.

RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)

The graphic designer is a dog mom and they're a package deal

Rachael apparently has a love for animals and got a puppy she named Winnie in 2017.


In November 2017, Rachael shared multiple photos with her brown and black furbaby, who appears to be a dachshund mix.

Rachael captioned the slideshow, "If you know me you know this is my dream. I can't wait to spoil you my little baby Winnie, momma loves you way too much already."

The Bachelor's Sarah Trott doesn't believe Rachael is a mean girl

Sarah revealed to Entertainment Tonight that Rachael and Bri Springs attempted to console her when she felt attacked by the other girls and decided to quit The Bachelor, although the sweet moment wasn't shown on television.

"A scene that didn't make it, Rachael and Bri are so sweet and they came to comfort me," Sarah shared.

"I did make good friends and there were moments where I was thinking, 'These are friendships that I can have moving forward.' So I think that's a positive, too."

Sarah therefore told ET that she hopes Matt ended up choosing Rachael or Bri in the end.


"They were the first to comfort me and they were absolute sweethearts," Sarah recalled.

"I can imagine them being in the Top 4 just because they are really sweet and smart girls, from what I saw, and that is the kind of person Matt should end up with."

A few fun facts about the brunette beauty!

Rachael's favorite way to pass the time is by doodling.

The bachelorette hates slow drivers.

And Rachael says she is very neat with organization and cleanliness but messy when it comes to planning and scheduling.

Rachael Kirkconnell Photos

Click the BEGIN GALLERY link below to see some additional photos of Rachael!


RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)

Interested in more The Bachelor news? Join our The Bachelor Facebook Group!

BEGIN GALLERY >>

About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski