Rachel on Clayton Reunion, Bachelor in Paradise

Spoiler alert: This article contains spoilers from the first six episodes of season 3 “Perfect Match”, which now streams on Netflix.

When Clayton Echart broke Rachel Recchia’s heart at the final of “The Bachelor” in 2021, she didn’t think she had ever given him another chance – especially on TV. (As a quick memory, Clayton told all three of his finalists, Rachel, Gabby Windey and Susie Evans, that he loved them. He had left intimate with both Rachel and Gabby and Susie when she discovered it; despite asking Rachel’s father to give permission to give permission to give permission to give permission to permission To give permission to give permission to give permission to give permission to give permission to be permission to be for the season.)

But in season 3 of “Perfect Match”, Rachel held Give him another chance. After he entered the house during episode 3, Clayton convinced his ex to match him. At the time, he said it was no coincidence that they were both there and that she gave up nervously.

Less than 24 hours later – after spending a night together, participating in a kissing challenge and going on a date with someone else – he told her that his “intuition” now told him that this was wrong, and he called it off. She walked away, cried, shared with the women that this had happened between them twice for.

Below, Variety Rachel catches up on all things ‘Perfect Match’, that reunion with Clayton and her future on dating shows.

Let’s start at the beginning. Why did you want to go on “perfect match” instead of going on something like “Bachelor in Paradise”?

Well, I was officially retired, but I was so intrigued by this show. I’m a fan of it. And when they started asking me, I knew it had never been done before [with “Bachelor” alum]And I didn’t think there would be ‘bachelor’ people there, so I have something like that, why not? Let’s go.

Did it feel different from Bachelor Nation shows?

So different. Not only the games and the challenges, but only the people and the way they enter the show. It’s so different. I am so used to participants in the “Bachelor” who are [thinking about] Marriage and family. Then you come to the show and you get the most wonderful people, but the wildest characters.

I was really enthusiastic because at the end there is no pressure on an engagement. I was also on “Paradise” as an earlier lead, so I felt that there was so much pressure for me. And here I felt that nobody knows me. The majority of the audience will not know me. So I can start again and be more relaxed.

It was hard to see what happened to Clayton. Did some of you think he would be there? He looked pretty shocked to see you.

No, Freddie told me on the date and he was so sweet about it. He says, “Oh, whose season was you busy?” I told him, he comforted me and said, “We must have a plan to go inside! I’m going to take you to the bar right away.” It was great.

When did you last see Clayton for this?

It was probably about two years ago during an event. We made up a bit. But I think this show was absolutely where more of the questions were answered, and we really went a bit in the past.

You said this was the third attempt … Did you go out a second time after separating “The Bachelor”?

We always talk about how that feels like two, because we had the rose ceremony from hell, where everyone tried to go home. That feels like it was really a break. And then there was the group exchange. I felt this was the third time! And I literally have nobody the fault except myself. He told me everything I wanted to hear. And even more than that, that was not broadcast, which is fine, but he really tried to convince me! What should a girl do?

I would say that you can also blame him! But yes, of course we don’t see everything. How did it only have time after you were linked? Was it catching up a lot?

It was so strange because it felt so similar – together with the cameras in that area, knowing that we film. It felt like we immediately went back to filming ‘The Bachelor’. It was more a: “Oh, my God. This is crazy. What are we doing?” I don’t know if we necessarily caught up. We only had a few hours together. It is not as if we had had all the time. So it was just that night! We went to sleep, and then I didn’t even see him the next day because he was on the date.

It seemed that you were in a good place in the morning, before the kissing challenge?

We literally woke up and immediately went to the challenge. That was my first day there! I was so scared. They separated us a bit. I didn’t see him, then he immediately went to his date, and when he came home from the date, I could see it. I already knew that. I had something like that in any way. I was so angry. A great 24 hours for me!

You said you wanted to leave the show. Did you really consider that?

I tried to go home completely. I felt that the whole cast doesn’t know me. They do not understand how deep this hurts me and how much history we have – even if you have viewed the show! It really influences me, even after, so this just feels like he has intended to hurt me. I just don’t want to be here, I’m already ashamed of myself. But I spoke with the girls that morning and they were: “This is not embarrassing. He did this to you.” So then I felt better. If they don’t support, I would probably have tried to really go home.

Clayton said he has more emotional intelligence than during ‘The Bachelor’. Do you believe that?

Don’t know. I really think he has changed, and I don’t want to talk badly about him because I have to continue my life. I feel that he sometimes makes decisions without thinking. And that is exactly the only thing that I think will remain, regardless of how much she has changed.

After you have agreed to match him, you said your mother will kill you. How did she respond?

My mother, my father, my best friend, everyone from my hometown, they were disappointed in me! But then I told them about the other connections I had. So they were not happy with it, but which girl doesn’t go back to her ex?

Was “perfect match” easier to do than “paradise”?

With “Paradise” I had a little more difficult, just because all my exes were there, so my options were limited. I feel that everyone already thought they knew me, just by looking at me earlier in the season. So I absolutely feel that it was a bit more difficult, and I have to start a little more here. And so that made it a little easier.

“Paradise” is now also broadcast with the Goldens, and it is a bit different with a new showrunner. Did you look?

So my best friend Jill is on. I also love Susie, Justin and Andrew. So it’s great to see them, but like, they are already gone! It feels like something is missing this season. And I think the Goldens bring a good element, but we miss so much with the younger people, and that is normally what I want to view in ‘Paradise’. I don’t want to see that the Goldens are injured and have heat letings! So it’s hard to look for me. I absolutely don’t love it.

Would you do a dating show in the future?

No, I am officially retired! I promise. I said this before, but this is different!

Episodes 7-9 will be released on 8 August, followed by the final on 15 August.

This interview has been edited and condensed.