Two months after her split from former Bachelor Matt James, Rachael Kirkconnell admitted she “still” feels like the breakup came “out of nowhere.” In an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Kirkconnell hinted that James might have “some regret” about how he ended their four-year relationship, noting that the breakup “didn’t have to go down the way it did.” Despite feeling “sad” about splitting from James, Kirkconnell is hopeful about the future. “I’m a very firm believer in thinking that it was a blessing in disguise and everything happens for a reason, and that that’s just something that needed to happen in my life,” she told Us. The former couple met during season 21 of The Bachelor in 2021. James and Kirkconnell didn’t get engaged but chose to continue their relationship off camera. In January, James announced via Instagram that he and Kirkconnell split for good. Kirkconnell later revealed that she was boarding an international flight from Japan — where the breakup occurred — when James posted his statement. Scroll below for more top stories:

• Dax Shepard sent a message to “Armchair Expert” listeners before comedian Andrew Schulz’s “really political” appearance on the podcast.
• Karlie Kloss announced that she and her husband, Joshua Kushner, are expecting their third baby after welcoming sons Levi and Elijah.
• Justin Baldoni’s lawyer weighed in on whether the actor will reach a settlement with Blake Lively before their It Ends With Us legal battle heads to court.
• Gene Hackman’s doctor claimed in a recent interview that Betsy Arakawa “didn’t die on February 11,” as previously predicted by medical officials.

Sign up to get daily news via email and follow Us on Instagram or Facebook for more news, exclusive interviews and intel, red carpet dispatches and beyond.