Matt James Hints Engagement Is 'Next Step' With Rachael After Choosing Ring

Rachael Kirkconnell and Matt James Alexander Tamargo/Getty Images

Former Bachelor and girlfriend are looking forward to the future, including an engagement.

“I think that’s the next step,” James, 32, quipped during the Thursday, October 10, episode of the “De-Influenced with Dani + Jordan” podcast. “Having had so many of Rachael’s friends go through engagements, I wouldn’t dare go look at a ring without consulting Rachael first.”

Kirkconnell, 28, concurred that deciding on the diamond is the next step before James pops the question.

“I have the finger ready,” she joked on the podcast. “I feel that’s definitely something we want. I’m on his time. My problem is I definitely need to go find a ring I like and everything, but that’s on him at that point. … That’s a problem, I don’t even know what I want.”

Related: Bachelor’s Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell: A Complete TimelineMatt James and Rachael Kirkconnell’s Bachelor love story has been a journey — on and off screen. ABC named the 29-year-old Wake Forest graduate the season 25 lead in June 2020, subsequently revealing that the series received a record number of submissions for contestants. Among the 38 women who had the opportunity to meet Matt […]

James then agreed with hosts and ’s follow-up question that his girlfriend’s jewelry indecision is “probably” the only thing holding him back from proposing right now.

James and Kirkconnell first met on season 25 of The Bachelor, which was filmed in 2020. The graphic designer was James’ final pick, but they split shortly after the finale aired when Kirkconnell’s past racially insensitive social media activity resurfaced. James, the first Black lead of The Bachelor, and Kirkconnell reconciled in March 2021 one month after the live After the Final Rose special.

Since rekindling their romance, the pair splits time between their respective residences in Florida and Georgia. According to James, he is also dropping hints about his proposal intentions.

Related: Status Check! Bachelor Nation Couples Who Are Still Going StrongSome Bachelor Nation couples hit different. Thank You! You have successfully subscribed. Subscribe to newsletters Please enter a valid email. Subscribe By signing up, I agree to the Terms and Privacy Policy and to receive emails from Us Weekly Deal of the Day Score The ‘No Needle Botox’ Serum Kate Middleton Uses on a Rare […]

“I’ve been hinting at marriage for a very long time,” James jokingly said on the “De-Influenced” episode. “I don’t think Rachael is taking my hints seriously. I’m obviously a couple years older than you and women tend to outlive the men because, I don’t know, but that’s typically how it goes. I fully embrace being a stay-at-home dad. I will stay home and take care of the kids, so I’m gonna empower you … [to] start your own brand.”

Kirkconnell, who laughed off James’ remarks about hints and launching a lifestyle empire, is also ready to build a family with the former football player.

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“I’ll say this, I love the idea of getting married and having that commitment to one another, and kids and family really excite me,” Kirkconnell stated. “But, the idea of planning a wedding really puts me off. Like sometimes I’m just, like, ‘Let’s just elope.’”

James previously told Us Weekly that he and Kirkconnell weren’t succumbing to external pressures to quicken their timeline.

“We’re doing great. I feel like when you feel pressure, it’s when you don’t wanna do something,” James exclusively told Us in June. “So I’ve never really felt pressure [to get engaged] because it’s something that I’ve always wanted to do. It’s something that we’re gonna do at some point. That’s why we’re together and what we’re working toward. I’m excited about our future.”

In this articleMatt JamesRachael Kirkconnell