Rachael Kirkconnell Shuts Down Rumor She Stepped Out with Matt James After Recent Split: 'Wasn't Me'

Rachael Kirkconnell is setting the record straight about speculation she stepped out with ex Matt James following their split.

On Sun. 26, Deuxmoi posted a fan-submitted sighting of the former Bachelor, 33, and Kirkconnell, 28, in New York City, which read, “Just left my apartment in kips bay and walked past matt james and rachael kirkconnell.”

However, Kirkconnell shut down the rumored reunion in the comment section.

“hmm wasn’t me lol,” she wrote and Deuxmoi responded, "ok just checking."

Related: Matt James Was 'Talking Plenty' with T.J. Holmes About Proposing to Rachael Kirkconnell Before Their Split

The speculation came just over a week after James announced in a cryptic Instagram post on Jan. 16 that he and Kirkconnell, 28, had gone their separate ways after four years together.

“Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts,” he wrote. “Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our Joy comes from you, Lord 💔”

Though Kirkconnell has yet to release a statement on the breakup, she has hinted that James’ announcement was a surprise to her while interacting with some comments on her most recent Instagram post.

Related: Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell's Relationship Timeline

In addition to liking supportive fan comments, the reality star also liked a comment speculating that she wasn't ready for the announcement to be made public.

"The more I'm thinking about it the more I think he completely blindsided her with this," the fan wrote. "Give her some grace and let her respond in her own time."

James and Kirkconnell had been together for four years before their shocking breakup. They left his season of The Bachelor as a couple in 2020 but when photos of her attending an antebellum plantation-themed party surfaced online, controversy arose and the pair went their separate ways.

They rekindled their relationship weeks later, though, and had been seemingly on the verge of a potential engagement.

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In February 2024, James told PEOPLE the couple were aligned about their plans to get married. “We wouldn't be together if that wasn't the same goal,” he said. “I'm definitely excited for what the future looks like with us."

He also said that when it came time to propose, it would "be something special because Rachael's very special.”

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