The Bachelor alum Rachael Kirkconnell has opened up about dating and whether she'd be interested in starring on The Bachelorette.
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"Never say never," Rachael told The New York Post in a recent interview.
"But I think right now, when I think about that, I would really have to consider if that would be the right move for me."
Rachael insisted, "I am looking for my person," adding, "[I'm] excited to date whenever that day comes -- when I'm ready for it."
While Rachael acknowledged that "of course" The Bachelor franchise can work in terms of matching couples for long-term success, she's not sure she'd personally find love on the reality dating show.
"The idea of it being in that environment and having only a small group of men to date and to see if they're my person and I'm theirs, it's just a tough thing," Rachael admitted.
On The Bachelor's 25th season in early 2021, Matt James selected Rachael as his winning bachelorette and the pair proceeded to date for four years until he broke up with her in January.
"I know so many couples right now that are so happy and they never would have met each other if they had not gone on the show," Rachael shared.
"I think it would be just a very, very, very long discussion and a very long process of really thinking if that was good for me or not."
Rachael suggested for the time being that she may "do a little better" at competing on a game show or a different type of reality TV competition.
"I would love to do reality TV, depending on what it is. I'm big on game shows. I'm big on competition shows. I'm big on HGTV and Food Network and fun things like that," explained the food influencer from Atlanta, GA.
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW"I don't know about a dating show. That seems a bit scary."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELORETTE' COUPLES NOW: WHOM DID 'THE BACHELORETTE' STARS AND THEIR BACHELOR PICKS ULTIMATELY END UP WITH?! (PHOTOS)
Rachael also revealed that she may be interested in podcasting, as long as she has a good reason to start one.
"But, I don't ever want to start anything -- podcast included -- unless I have something really specific to say," Rachael noted.
"Or I really feel like it's something that I should be doing or I could excel at. Again -- trying to be very intentional. There are really good podcasts out there and then there are some that you're like, 'Why do you have a podcast?' And I don't want that to be me."
Rachael elaborated how she wouldn't want a podcast "just to have one."
However, Rachael isn't setting an expectation for herself that her podcast would be "inspiring" or particularly groundbreaking either.
"I would love to just chat with normal girls all day," Rachael said.
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Rachael pointed out how it "would be an honor to even be asked" to host a podcast.
"But I think I would just want to really see if that is something that I could do or not and if it's something that would make sense for me at the time," Rachael concluded.
Rachael is currently finding her independence and place in the world after her devastating split from Matt, with whom she admittedly lost her identity.
Matt broke up with Rachael during a trip to Tokyo and then publicly announced their split via Instagram on January 16 without giving Rachael any warning.
The January 16 breakup post read, "Father God, give Rachael and I strength to mend our broken hearts. Give us a peace about this decision to end our relationship that transcends worldly understanding. Shower our friends and family with kindness and love to comfort us. And remind us that our Joy comes from you, Lord."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' COUPLES NOW: WHO DID 'THE BACHELOR' STARS AND THEIR BACHELORETTE PICKS ACTUALLY END UP MARRYING? (PHOTOS)
Rachael previously said on Alex Cooper's "Call Her Daddy" podcast that she was sitting on a Georgia-bound plane waiting for it to take off when she saw Matt's Instagram post.
Rachael recalled her phone blowing up with text messages and calls, only to lose WiFi signal and have no phone connection for the next 12 hours.
Rachael admitted she felt "pure shock" and "so much confusion" about Matt's decision considering he had been so vocal in the media about his desire to propose marriage to her and start a family in the near future.
Rachael said that Matt didn't view her as his perfect person. He was allegedly concerned about how emotional she got during challenging times and how she allegedly struggled to apologize and take accountability for her mistakes.
Shortly after their breakup, Rachael wished she and Matt could remain friends, but she also admitted to Alex that she could never reconcile with the former The Bachelor star because of how he had disrespected her at the end of their relationship.
"It's just sad to look back on now -- four years later, that's how things went out," Rachael explained earlier this year.
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Rachael -- who said she doesn't feel any remorse about spending four years with Matt -- recently expressed to Us Weekly how she's now looking for a man who will show her respect, listen to her and empathize with how she's feeling.
Rachael said she also wants her future boyfriend to accept her for who she is -- "flaws and all" -- because she plans to treat him the same way.
When looking back on her four-year relationship with Matt, Rachael said she's unsure of where that self-doubt and insecurity stemmed from.
Rachael therefore hopes her next boyfriend will be "uplifting" and "supportive" of her.
However, Rachael admitted she won't be looking for love on Bachelor in Paradise's upcoming tenth season.
"I don't know if I'm able to date someone within the franchise again. I don't know if I can do that again," Rachael said.
"Listen, I'm never going to totally shut the door on anything. That's not me, but I also feel like it's pretty soon and I don't think I'm ready for that."
Rachael added with a laugh, "Maybe you won't see me on the beaches of Paradise, but you might see me on the beaches elsewhere, just a vacation by myself."
RELATED LINK: 'THE BACHELOR' FRANCHISE COUPLES NOW: WHO IS STILL TOGETHER?? (PHOTOS)
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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski
