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Rachael Kirkconnell went to “Hometowns” on Matt James’ season of The Bachelor. Showbiz Cheat Sheet spoke with relationship expert Rori Sassoon over the phone to get her opinion on James and Kirkconnell’s date. She shared her thoughts regarding their relationship, including the one thing that may have sparked life into it. 

[SPOILER ALERT: This article contains mild spoilers from The Bachelor “Hometowns.”]

Matt James gives Rachael Kirkconnell a rose on 'The Bachelor'
Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell | Craig Sjodin via Getty Images

Rachael Kirkconnell’s rough landing could mean big things for her relationship with Matt James 

During their hometown date, Kirkconnell took James skydiving before meeting her family. The adventure seemed like a good idea until Kirkconnell hit the ground — hard. James landed safely, then watched Kirkconnell as she “literally slammed into the Earth.” After a brief minute on the ground, Kirkconnell appeared to be OK. But later, she revealed her back hurt and she was bruised. “My heart hurt watching you, because you weren’t moving for a second,” James told Kirkconnell. Regardless of how scary the situation was, James said it made him fall for Kirkconnell.

Relationship expert Rori Sassoon thinks Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James can go all the way

Rori Sassoon, an expert matchmaker and dating expert who has appeared on shows like The Real Housewives of New York, spoke with Showbiz about Kirkconnell and James’ connection. “As women, feeling safe with your partner and feeling secure is one of the most important things,” Sassoon explained. “That’s what [most women] need to feel when they know that [a] person [is] the right person for them.” In Kirkconnell’s case, James demonstrated that he could be there to protect Kirkconnell during their hometown date. 

Before skydiving on ‘The Bachelor’, Matt James’ was in a ‘vanilla’ relationship

So far this season of The Bachelor, Sassoon feels Kirkconnell and James’ relationship has been a little “vanilla — a little boring.” But Kirkconnell’s landing may have saved the day. “Matt was genuinely concerned for her,” Sassoon added. James’ demonstration of concern showed Sassoon another side of his relationship with Kirkconnell. Now, the relationship expert thinks the couple could end up engaged at the end of the season. 

Relationship expert thinks ‘The Bachelor’ will choose Rachael Kirkconnell 

In Sassoon’s professional opinion, James will propose to Kirkconnell at the end of The Bachelor. To Sassoon, they speak the same language. “He wants to fall in love; she wants to fall in love,” she explained. “I think that she’s very feminine and soft. [She] lets him be the man and take the lead.” In addition to sharing the same values, those qualities, are what attracts James most to Kirkconnell.

‘The Bachelor’ frontrunner is in hot water 

Regardless of what has aired on television and regardless of Sassoon’s opinion, Kirkconnell has made headlines recently because of her past. When photos surfaced of Kirkconnell at a plantation-themed party, Bachelor Nation was disappointed. The photos were taken in 2018 when Kirkconnell was in college. 

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Matt James Could Be ‘Manipulating the Situation’ With the Women on ‘The Bachelor,’ Says a Relationship Expert

“While there have been rumors circulating, there have also been truths that have come to light that I need to address,” she wrote on Instagram. “I hear you, and I’m here to say I was wrong.” James also addressed the photos, calling them “incredibly disappointing.” He also said the information was coming to him in real-time — he wasn’t aware of the images while filming. 

Will Kirkconnell and James end up together? Tune in to The Bachelor Mondays at 8 PM EST to find out. 

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