‘Perfect Match’ Star Rachel on How Former ‘Bachelor’ Clayton Privately Convinced Her to Give Him a Third Chance and Nearly Going Home After Their Split

When Clayton Echart broke Rachel Recchia’s heart on the finale of “The Bachelor” in 2021, she didn’t think she’d ever give him another chance — especially on TV. (As a quick reminder, Clayton told all three of his finalists, Rachel, Gabby Windey and Susie Evans, that he loved them. He was intimate with both Rachel and Gabby and Susie left when she found that out; despite asking Rachel’s father for permission to propose, he ultimately broke up with her — and Gabby — to pursue Susie. Gabby and Rachel went on to be co-Bachelorettes on Season 19.)

But on Season 3 of “Perfect Match,” Rachel did give him another chance. After entering the house during Episode 3, Clayton convinced his ex to match up with him. At the time, he said that it wasn’t a coincidence that they were both there, and she nervously gave in.

Less than 24 hours later — after spending one night together, competing in a kissing challenge and going on a date with someone else — he told her that his “intuition” was now telling him that this wasn’t right, and he called it off. She walked away, crying, sharing with the women that this had happened between them twice before.

Below, Variety catches up with Rachel about 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” rather than going on something like “Bachelor in Paradise” again?

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’d be “Bachelor” people there, so I’m like, why not? Let’s go.

Did it feel different than Bachelor Nation shows?

So different. Not only the games and the challenges, but just the people and the way they go into the show. It’s so different. I’m so used to “Bachelor” contestants who are [thinking about] marriage and family. Then you come into the show and get the most amazing people, but the wildest characters.

I was really excited because there is no pressure of an engagement at the end. I also was on “Paradise” as a previous lead, so I felt like there was so much pressure for me. And here, I felt like, no one knows me. Most of the audience won’t know me. So I can start over and be more relaxed.

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

No, Freddie told me on the date, and he was being so sweet about it. He goes, “Oh, whose season were you on?” I told him, he comforted me, and was like, “We have to have a plan going in! I’m gonna take you straight to the bar.” It was amazing.

When had you last seen Clayton before this? 

It was probably about two years ago at an event. We kind of caught up a little bit. But I think this show was definitely where more of the questions were answered, and we kind of really dove into the past.

You said this was the third try… did you guys date a second time after breaking up on “The Bachelor”? 

We always talk about how that feels like two, because we had the rose ceremony from hell, where everyone was trying to go home. That feels like it really was a breakup. And then there was the group breakup. I felt like this was the third time! And I have literally no one to blame but myself. He was telling me everything I wanted to hear. And even more than that, that didn’t get aired, which is fine, but he was really, really trying to convince me! What’s a girl supposed to do?

I’d say you can also blame him! But, yes, we don’t see everything, of course. How was it having alone time after you matched? Was it a lot of catching up?

It was so strange, because it felt so similar — being in that environment together with the cameras, knowing we’re filming. It felt like we immediately went back to filming “The Bachelor.” It was more of an, “Oh, my God. This is crazy. What are we doing?” I don’t know if we were necessarily catching up. We had only a couple of hours together. It’s not like we had all this 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 like you guys were in a good place in the morning, though, before the kissing challenge?

Literally, we woke up and went straight to the challenge. That was my first day there! I was so scared. They separated us for a little. I didn’t see him, then he went straight to his date, and then as soon as he came home from the date, I could tell. I already knew that. I was like, no way. I was so mad. A great 24 hours for me!

You mentioned you wanted to leave the show. Did you actually consider that?

I fully tried to go home. I felt like, the entire cast doesn’t know me. They don’t understand how deep this is hurting me and how much history we have — even if you watched the show! It really did affect me, even after, so this just feels like he did it on purpose to hurt me. I just don’t want to be here, I’m already so embarrassed. But I talked to the girls that morning, and they were like, “This is not embarrassing. He did this to you.” So then I felt better. If they weren’t supportive, I probably would have tried to actually go home.

Clayton said he has more emotional intelligence than he had during “The Bachelor.” Do you believe that? 

I don’t know. I do genuinely think he’s changed, and I don’t want to talk ill of him because I have to move on with my life. I feel like sometimes, he makes decisions without thinking. And that’s just the one thing I think will remain regardless of how much she’s changed.

After you agreed to match with him, you said your mom is going to kill you. How’d she react? 

My mom, my dad, 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 weren’t happy about it, but what girl doesn’t go back to her ex?

Was “Perfect Match” easier to do than “Paradise”?

With “Paradise,” I had a little bit of a harder time, just because all my exes were there, so my options were limited. I feel like everyone already thought they knew me just from watching me on the season before. So I definitely feel like it was a little bit harder, and here, I got to start over a little more. And so that made it a little bit easier.

“Paradise” is also airing right now with the Goldens, and it’s a bit different with a new showrunner. Have you been watching? 

So my best friend Jill is on. I also love Susie, Justin and Andrew. So it’s awesome to see them, but like, they’re already gone! It feels like this season is lacking a little bit of something. And I think the Goldens bring a good element, but we’re missing so much with the younger people, and that’s normally what I want to watch in “Paradise.” I don’t want to see the Goldens get hurt and have heat strokes! So it’s difficult to watch for me. I’m definitely not loving it.