Rachael Kirkconnell is spotted for the first time since her Bachelor racism controversy

The Bachelor contestant Rachael Kirkconnell was seen out in public on Wednesday for the first time since she was engulfed in controversy over her past racist social media posts.

The 24-year-old graphic designer was spotted out and about in New York City while wearing a sporty outfit, just a day after she spent time together with her ex Matt James.

Kirkconnell flaunted her svelte figure in a black cropped tank top with spaghetti straps, which showcased her toned tummy.

Finally spotted: Rachael Kirkconnell, 24, was spotted Wednesday in New York City for the first time after her years-old racist social media posts came to light and a day after she met up with her ex Matt James

She lightened up the muted look slightly with a pair of gray sweatpants, which she wore tucked into her brilliant white Nike high top sneakers. 

The reality star also had a denim jacket draped over her arm in case of a sudden cold snap.

She wore her dark locks parted down the middle and cascading down her back, and she had on a black cloth mask to help slow the spread of Covid-19. 

Sporty: Kirkconnell flaunted her svelte figure in a black cropped tank top with spaghetti straps and gray sweatpants tucked into her white Nike high tops

Sporty: Kirkconnell flaunted her svelte figure in a black cropped tank top with spaghetti straps and gray sweatpants tucked into her white Nike high tops

Kirkconnell flaunted her svelte figure in a black cropped tank top with spaghetti straps, which showcased her toned tummy

Kirkconnell flaunted her svelte figure in a black cropped tank top with spaghetti straps, which showcased her toned tummy

Her outing comes after the Instagram account Deuxmoi published photos of Kirkconnell and her former flame James a rendezvous on Tuesday in New York.

Despite the reunion, a source close to the situation told People that the pair are ‘just friends.’ 

Now back on the market, Matt has been shifting his focus back onto working on projects in the community, an insider close to him told People. 

Spotted: Her outing comes after the Instagram account Deuxmoi published photos of Kirkconnell and her former flame James a rendezvous on Tuesday in New York; Rachael and Matt pictured

Spotted: Her outing comes after the Instagram account Deuxmoi published photos of Kirkconnell and her former flame James a rendezvous on Tuesday in New York; Rachael and Matt pictured  

Just friends: Despite the reunion, a source close to the situation told People that the pair are 'just friends'; Rachael and Matt pictured

Just friends: Despite the reunion, a source close to the situation told People that the pair are ‘just friends’; Rachael and Matt pictured  

Matt and Rachael started dating after leaving as a couple on The Bachelor.

Despite there being no engagement, Matt and Rachael ended the show professing their love for one another and agreeing to continue their relationship off camera.

However it was not long until controversy drove a wedge between the pair. 

Controversy: James split from Rachael after photos of her attending a plantation-themed party surfaced, along with approving posts of her friends in pro-Trump MAGA hats

Controversy: James split from Rachael after photos of her attending a plantation-themed party surfaced, along with approving posts of her friends in pro-Trump MAGA hats

Photos of Rachael attending a plantation-themed party in 2018 surfaced, along with other problematic content.

The photos landed not just Rachael in hot water, but host Chris Harrison, who defended the behavior in an interview with former Bachelorette Rachel Lindsay. This ultimately led to him stepping aside from the franchise.

Both Chris and Rachael have repeatedly apologized for their actions.

Ultimately Matt and Rachael’s relationship did not survive the controversy, and the former Bachelor admitted he ended the relationship after the photos surfaced.

Back at it: Now back on the market, Matt has been shifting his focus back onto working on projects in the community, the source said

Back at it: Now back on the market, Matt has been shifting his focus back onto working on projects in the community, the source said

Controversy: Chris Harrison landed in the middle of the Kirkconnell scandal after coming to her defense during an interview with Rachel Lindsay

Controversy: Chris Harrison landed in the middle of the Kirkconnell scandal after coming to her defense during an interview with Rachel Lindsay

‘You wanna believe that you know your person better than anybody else knows your person. This controversy swirling around who Rachael is and events she might’ve attended, pictures that she liked and people that she’s associated with,’ he said on After The Final Rose.

‘I’m trying to be there for her, and I dismissed them as rumors, because that’s what they were to me. You hear things that are heartbreaking and you just pray they’re not true. And then, when you find out that they are it just makes you question everything,’ he added.

Discussing the ‘weight’ of seeing Rachael for the first time at the special, he told Good Morning America: ‘It hit me like a ton of bricks. I felt the weight of everything that I was carrying throughout the season and with what we were dealing with as a country and having to explain that — why I think it’s problematic to me and our relationship — which was extremely difficult.’

Not meant to be: Ultimately Matt and Rachael's relationship did not survive the controversy, and the former Bachelor admitted he ended the relationship after the photos surfaced

Not meant to be: Ultimately Matt and Rachael’s relationship did not survive the controversy, and the former Bachelor admitted he ended the relationship after the photos surfaced