The Bachelor finale RECAP – Matt James tells Rachael it’s over in explosive reunion and says she needs to go it ‘alone’
THE Bachelor's very controversial and historic season finale finally came to a close after a lot of drama and tears.
During the three-hour finale on Monday night, and met mother, , and his brother, John after sending home last week.
“As the landmark 25th season comes to a close, the two final women will meet Matt’s family and enjoy one last date before he hands out the final rose,” the ABC press release read.
“After all this, Matt’s mind seems made up, but when a shocking last-minute development threatens to alter the course of his entire journey, will he give in to his fears or let his heart lead the way?”
After Matt made his choice as Rachael, he came face to face with both Rachael and Michelle during a conversation with After the Final Rose host .
Acho stepped in as host after the .
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NEW HOSTS REACT
Kaitlyn Bristowe and Tayshia Adams both took to Instagram to react to the news that they will be the new hosts of The Bachelorette.
Bristowe posted a video of her and Adams dancing with the caption, "Let's go girls..."
Adams uploaded a number of posts to her Instagram Stories.
"Thank you so much for all the support after the news, I'm soo excited and I'm glad you guys are too!" Adams wrote.
NEW BACHELORETTE HOSTS
will host next season's Bachelorette.
Warner Horizon and ABC Entertainment announced on March 12 that Chris Harrison will not host next season's Bachelorette.
"In his absence, former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will support the new Bachelorette through the next season.
"As we continue the dialogue around achieving greater equity and inclusion within 'The Bachelor' franchise, we are dedicated to improving the BIPOC representation of our crew, including among the executive producer ranks.
"These are important steps in effecting fundamental change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world," the statement concluded.
MATT JAMES' INSTAGRAM STORY
took to Instagram before the finale and posted a picture of him with his mother and brother with the caption "OTF" or "only the family. "
He also added his brother's and mother's Instagram handles.
The Bachelor's Instagram and Twitter account thanked both Matt James and Emmanuel Ocho.
THANKS
Emmanuel Acho took to Twitter to thank Matt James for "sharing the stage and your heart with me" following the airing of the After the Final Rose special.
The Bachelor's Twitter account thanked both Matt James and Emmanuel Acho.
THE BACHELOR FINALE
was asked by who she blamed for her ignorance.
"I don't want to sit here and blame my upbringing," Rachael said.
"In my eyes there is no excuse," she said.
She said that she's gotten responses from others who said it was normal where they came from but "it didn't make it right."
When asked why it took her so long to apologize and release a statement after the photos came to light, she said she wanted herself "to really understand why people were so hurt by this."
She said she wanted to do better.
WILL CHRIS HARRISON RETURN?
On Friday, ABC Entertainment along with Warner Horizon made the announcement that .
"Chris Harrison will not be hosting the next season of 'The Bachelorette,'" the statement read.
"We support Chris in the work that he is committed to doing.
"In his absence, former Bachelorettes Tayshia Adams and Kaitlyn Bristowe will support the new Bachelorette through the next season.
"As we continue the dialogue around achieving greater equity and inclusion within 'The Bachelor' franchise, we are dedicated to improving the BIPOC representation of our crew, including among the executive producer ranks.
"These are important steps in effecting fundamental change so that our franchise is a celebration of love that is reflective of our world," the statement concluded.
It was not immediately clear if he will host future seasons.
ANTEBELLUM PHOTO
During the After the Final Rose special, host Emmanuel Acho addressed . He addressed the controversy and showed photos of Rachael wearing an antebellum-style dress. Acho explained why the photos were controversial.
Rachael faced backlash for attending an “antebellum plantation-themed ball” at College & State University, thrown by the college fraternity, Kappa Alpha.
She has apologized for the photos. She was asked by Acho what she saw when she sees those photos now.
"I see someone who is living in this ignorance without thinking about who it would be hurting," she said.
"I never once asked myself what is the tradition behind this," she said.
DATING LIFE
Who is Matt James dating now?
After a dramatic season of The Bachelor, Matt James revealed during the After the Final Rose special that he and Rachael Kirkconnell were no longer together.
However, is he dating anyone now?
at the moment but Bachelor Nation fans believe he's secretly dating Heather Martin.
first appeared on Colton Underwood's season. She then showed up in James' season. James however eliminated Martin shortly after she arrived.
WHEN IS THE NEW SEASON OF THE BACHELORETTE
alum Katie Thurston will be the next Bachelorette for season 17.
Runner-up Michelle Young will be the Bachelorette for season 18.
Season 17 will air in the summer 2021 while season 18 will air in the fall 2021. No exact date has been given.
The announcement was made on the After the Final Rose special.
ANY REGRETS?
Matt James was asked by Good Morning America's Michael Strahan whether he would change anything from his season.
"I think that as the love stories become more diverse, the people that talent should become just as diverse," he said.
"There are way more qualified women and men of color who can step in and fill those roles and I'm excited to see the institutional change take place and I'm honored to be part of it," he concluded.
MATT JAMES ON NEW BACHELORETTE HOSTS
Good Morning America's Michael Strahan asked Matt James how he felt about former taking over hosting duties for the next season of The Bachelorette.
"I'm excited!" Matt told Strahan.
"It's a fresh start and we need more women hosting and it was the right move," he continued.
MATT JAMES ON GOOD MORNING AMERICA
Matt James was asked about Rachael Kirkconnell saying she didn't know how hurtful the controversial photos were.
Matt said the "frustrating part about the position that I'm in" is to explain to the US and Rachael why "things like are problematic."
"We don't have that chance to have that ignorance," he told Good Morning America's Michael Strahan.
Matt said he knew Rachael was a good person and "everything she outlined in her apology and statement I'm looking forward to seeing her do because I know she's capable of it."
WHO'S THE NEXT BACHELORETTE
Following an emotional night, the next was named.
Michelle Young and Katie Thurston were both named The Bachelorettes.
Katie's season will be aired in the summer while Michelle's season will be aired in the fall.
"I could not be happier for both of you," host tells the women.
IS THERE A FUTURE?
When asked by Emmanuel Acho whether he thought it was possible to reconcile with said the feelings he had for her "didn't go away overnight."
"I don't want to be emotionally responsible for those tears," he said.
He said she was capable of doing the work and education needed to be done.
When asked if there was anything she'd like to say to Matt if she never does get the chance to speak with him again, she hopes he's happy and wants what's best for him.
She apologizes and says she thanks God for putting James in her life "to begin with."
"I'll always be thankful for everything we shared in the time together," she said.
MATT JAMES JOINS GMA
Matt James spoke to Good Morning America's Michael Strahan on Tuesday - the day after the finale of The Bachelor.
Matt told Strahan anytime he's in a relationship that "marriage is the goal."
Matt said "the conversations that have come from everything that's taken place are more important than anything I could have left with."
Matt said that he "felt the weight he was carrying through the season" on the After the Final Rose episode.
AFTER THE ROSE
In the special, Matt James revealed he was not with Rachael Kirkconnell.
While the season was airing, photos of that showed her attending an
During the episode, Matt told host Emmanuel Acho: “Before Rachael addressed anything or Chris Harrison spoke on anything, I’m trying to be there for her, and I dismissed them as rumors, because that’s what they were to me. You hear things that are heartbreaking … and you just pray they’re not true.
"And then, when you find out that they are, it just makes you question everything."
Rachael joined Matt during the episode and the two talked.
AFTER THE ROSE
In th special, Matt James revealed he was not with Rachael Kirkconnell.
While the season was airing, photos of that showed her attending an
During the episode, Matt told host Emmanuel Acho: “Before Rachael addressed anything or Chris Harrison spoke on anything, I’m trying to be there for her, and I dismissed them as rumors, because that’s what they were to me. You hear things that are heartbreaking … and you just pray they’re not true.
"And then, when you find out that they are, it just makes you question everything."
Rachael joined Matt during the episode and the two talked.
TO PROPOSE OR NOT TO PROPOSE...
Despite cancelling the date with Rachael, Matt moved forward with his meeting with Neil Lane and selected an engagement ring for the finale.
He addressed if he would give the ring to the contestant, saying: "There's a lot of weight in this. This is more than just a ring. To me it represents what my father couldn't give to my mother. It represents a lot of broken promises."
"If I put this ring on Rachael's finger, I wouldn't ever want it to come off. Tomorrow's a big day and I'm just thinking to myself, 'Am I ready?' I don't know."
SENT HOME
Matt sent home Michelle Young despite a successful meeting with her family.
He chose Rachael Kirkconnell as his final pick, but things were already off to a rocky start due to her racism scandal.
The couple sat down to address their relationship on the After the Final Rose episode for the first time since.
JOB HUNT
, 29, played football at Wake Forest University before a brief stint as a wide receiver in the NFL.
He was cut by the Saints and Panthers before he moved to New York City.
"I didn’t think I was going to make a career out of football, but I thought my stint in the NFL would be longer than a few months," with DeacLink.
He founded ABC Food Tours , a non-profit organization that takes groups of kids from underserved elementary schools to restaurants in their local communities.
"Our goal is to implement an experiential learning platform for students in NYC living in underserved communities that will educate, motivate, and inspire them to overcome life’s obstacles," says its About Us page.
THREE TIMES
, 30, revealed to the hosts that he was asked in "2018 twice and then in 2020" if he would take a spot on The .
Kelly Ripa opened up the conversation during an .
then chimed in, wondering: "You were asked to be on the Bachelorette right?"
NIGHTMARE
is “mortified” that he will not return to next season’s The as the longtime host “really believed ,” an insider told The Sun.
fans were shocked last week as it was announced , 49, will be replaced by former leads and for the on-camera role.
UNKNOWN FUTURE
The cast is now "quarantining in New Mexico,"
According to , the cast and crew for the upcoming season of The Bachelorette are currently at the Hyatt Regency Tamaya Resort and Spa -- outside Albuquerque - in preparation for the program.
As an insider told the outlet that "pre-production has already begun," with the plan to "begin shooting in late March."
However, it seems like there has been no confirmation to who will be hosting the show as of yet.
WHAT HE SAID
When came under fire for her , longtime host defended her.
During a February 9 interview with Rachel Lindsay — the first Black lead in franchise history — said: “We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion.
“Because I’ve seen some stuff online… again, this ‘judge, jury, executioner’ thing where people are just tearing this girl’s life apart.
“And diving into…her parents voting record…it’s unbelievably alarming to watch this!
“I haven’t heard Rachael speak on this yet, and until I actually hear this woman have a chance to speak, who am I to say [anything]?”
Despite an apology shortly after, ABC Entertainment and Warner Horizon announced in a statement on March 12, 2021 that “will not be hosting the next season of ‘The Bachelorette.'”
UNSURE
said he was left with more questions after introducing Rachael and Michelle to his mom and brother.
During a conversation with then-host Chris Harrison, Matt said committing to marriage is a serious decision and he wasn’t sure which finalist to pick.
“What you’re saying is, you don’t want to get engaged?” Chris asked.
“I don’t know,” Matt said. “I’ve never been this honest. I need to dig deep within myself.”