The controversial contestant, one of the last four women to compete to win James’ heart, had a rough skydiving landing on a date with him. She shouts “Oof” as she falls face to the ground with her instructor in the tandem parachute.
James, who had already landed safely, rushed to Kirkconnell as she lay on the ground. “Rachael literally hit the earth hard,” he said.
Kirkconnell said her back hurt and she looked bruised, but she went on with the day-long date. She later said that James’s care had impressed her. The bachelor revealed that seeing her in need made him realize he felt love for her.
But many fans on Twitter didn’t feel as sympathetic after allegations of Kirkconnell’s racist past emerged, including photos of her attending a slavery-era plantation-themed party and liking photos with Southern flags on social media. (She later apologized for her “offensive and racist” actions.)