Are Clayton and Rachel Back Together?
Bachelor Nation fans are always hoping for a wild twist, but this time, the rumors about Rachel Recchia and Clayton Echard reuniting aren’t true. Despite plenty of speculation and their short-lived reconnection on Netflix’s Perfect Match season 3—which dropped August 1, 2025—the two aren’t a couple now. Their reunion definitely got everyone buzzing, but Clayton ended things less than 24 hours after matching with Rachel on the series, leaving her upset and at a loss for words.
Clayton spoke out to People, saying his “intuition” screamed things wouldn’t work. He tried to frame the split as respectful, but Rachel told friends on the show it felt “so cruel” to go through another breakup with him again. She even said, “He literally did it again. This is the third time he’s done this to me. He does not give a sh-t about me”. On social media, fans flooded both their Instagram and Twitter with hot takes; one tweet that got traction read, “Clayton dumping Rachel again is proof some people just don't learn from heartbreak. Watching it feels rough. #PerfectMatch.” Over on Instagram, clips of their dramatic confrontation have racked up thousands of views.
How Did Fans React? Let’s Take a Look at Some Posts on X (Twitter)
What Happened Between Clayton and Rachel?
Here’s the real talk: Rachel and Clayton’s relationship was never easy—on or off camera. Their first split, back on The Bachelor, was brutal. Clayton told both Rachel and Gabby he loved them, then dumped them together after realizing he wanted to pursue Susie. Rachel, emotionally wrecked, told Clayton at the finale that he treated her as “collateral damage.” He tried to apologize, but she wasn’t buying it.
Funnily enough, the two made their “friendship” Insta-official for a hot minute in 2023, posting a TikTok that set off reunion rumors, which they both squashed. On Perfect Match, Rachel hesitated when Clayton wanted to pair up, but decided to give him another shot—mostly for her own closure. Clayton’s quick second-guessing led to yet another public breakup, stirring lots of old wounds. Rachel later told other contestants that she felt embarrassed to be put in this position again and vented, “Why’d I even believe he could change?”.
Bachelor Nation has seen plenty of messy splits, but few have played out so painfully, and so publicly, as Clayton and Rachel’s. Still, both seem determined to move on—just not together.
For Bachelor fans wanting pure drama and real emotion, following these two on Instagram or catching their posts and stories gives you the latest (and sometimes rawest) updates. Rachel, in a recent Story, wrote, “Some lessons you only have to learn twice. Or if you’re me… three times. Onwards!” That about sums up the saga—and makes us hope her next chance at love is a little less TV-worthy, but a lot happier.
Rachel from The Bachelor
Rachel Recchia’s been a mainstay in reality TV since her first flight (literally—she’s a pilot!) into Bachelor Nation on Clayton’s season 26. After that emotional ride, she didn’t shy from the spotlight, going on to become one of two leads during season 19 of The Bachelorette. She got engaged on that show, too, but things ended badly when Tino Franco admitted to cheating, leading to one of the messiest After the Final Rose specials in recent memory.
Rachel didn’t let heartbreak slow her down. She took her chances on Bachelor in Paradise season 9 and now, fans watched her risk vulnerability again on Perfect Match. Her Instagram, where she shares travel shots and photos with friends, shows that she’s still chasing adventure despite all the setbacks. In a recent Instagram Story, Rachel posted, “Can’t believe I gave THAT man a THIRD chance. Girls—trust your gut, not just your heart!” That kind of candidness is exactly why fans relate to her.
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Clayton from The Bachelor
Clayton Echard took a bruising from both fans and contestants during his infamous Bachelor run. He was criticized for telling all three final women—Rachel, Gabby, and Susie—that he was in love with them and slept with them, which led to a chaotic and emotional crash-landing for nearly everyone involved. After the show, Clayton tried to make things work with Susie Evans, but they broke up after nine months, citing “external pressures” and struggling to heal as a couple.
Since then, Clayton’s worked as a mental health advocate and speaker—he’s been open about the toll reality TV took on his own mental health, sharing more openly on podcasts and Instagram than during his Bachelor days. Recently, he posted a story on Instagram: “Closure isn’t always a conversation. Sometimes it’s just hitting unfollow.” That’s a little cryptic, but for those following his journey, it hits home.
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