Bachelor couple Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell cuddle up at ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Awards

Bachelor couple Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell cuddle up on the red carpet at ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Awards in NYC

They made their red carpet debut as a couple at the 2021 ESPY Awards in New York City on Saturday night.

And on Monday night, The Bachelor’s Matt James and on-again girlfriend Rachael Kirkconnell were back in the spotlight as they arrived for ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Awards. 

The reality TV duo, who confirmed two months ago they were giving their romance another try, cuddled up as they posed for photos at the event held at Manhattan’s Pier 17.

Reality TV couple: The Bachelor’s Matt James and on-again girlfriend Rachael Kirkconnell cuddled up on the red carpet at ESPN’s Sports Humanitarian Awards on Monday night in NYC

Matt, 29, put on an eclectic sartorial show in a sparkly two-piece black suit with cropped trousers.

He added a white shit and black bow tie along with white slip-on shoes.

Rachael, 24, opted for a slinky silver full-length dress for her night out.

The outfit featured small cutouts around the waist and she accessorized with large silver earrings.

Fashion statement: Matt, 29, put on an eclectic sartorial show in a sparkly two-piece black suit with cropped trousers. He added a white shit and black bow tie along with white slip-on shoes

Fashion statement: Matt, 29, put on an eclectic sartorial show in a sparkly two-piece black suit with cropped trousers. He added a white shit and black bow tie along with white slip-on shoes

Sleek: Rachael, 24, opted for a slinky silver full-length dress for her night out. The outfit featured small cutouts around the waist and she stepped out in sandal heels

Sleek: Rachael, 24, opted for a slinky silver full-length dress for her night out. The outfit featured small cutouts around the waist and she stepped out in sandal heels

Pretty look: Her brunette hair was styled back from her face and she accessorized with diamond studs and large silver earrings.

Pretty look: Her brunette hair was styled back from her face and she accessorized with diamond studs and large silver earrings.

Together again: Matt made history when he was chosen as the lead for season 25 of ABC's reality dating show, becoming the first African-American Bachelor in the long-running series

Together again: Matt made history when he was chosen as the lead for season 25 of ABC’s reality dating show, becoming the first African-American Bachelor in the long-running series

Matt made history when he was chosen as the lead for season 25 of ABC’s reality dating show, becoming the first African-American Bachelor in the long-running series. 

However, before the final episodes aired, photos emerged of Rachael at a plantation-themed party. She was also accused of liking racist photos online and of bullying a high school contemporary for dating black men.

The ensuing scandal broke up her relationship with Matt and ultimately led to the departure of host Chris Harrison who had showed support for Rachael.

Explaining how they reunited, Matt told WSJ Magazine: ‘I think the best way to put it is that we can have critical conversations about being in this relationship and what I need in a partner—especially if that woman isn’t Black— to understand what comes with me and my life and being Black.’

He added: ‘It’s on people who care about being allies to do the work to be truly antiracist. And I think it’s unfair to leave people without the ability to unlearn and be better.’ 

In the spotlight: The duo made their red carpet debut as a couple just5 a couple of days ago at the ESPY Awards in NYC

In the spotlight: The duo made their red carpet debut as a couple just5 a couple of days ago at the ESPY Awards in NYC

While on the red carpet, the couple spoke with People about moving forward from the scandal and how they just needed some time to themselves.

‘I will say that, you know, of course it was difficult in the moment, but just being able to step back and work on our relationship to assess,’ Rachael said. ‘Taking a moment away from the spotlight’s been really good for us. It’s been a lot better.’

Matt was asked for some tips from his own relationship, but he said he was most interested in following in the paths of other people with successful long-term relationships.

‘I’m following the lead of everybody else. You know, I think that I look to people who have been where I’m trying to get to,’ he said. ‘Rachael’s parents have been in a relationship for a long time. They’ve been married for probably about as long as I’ve been alive. So, you know, relationships that are prospering are what I kind of fix my eyes on and hope to emulate.’



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