Perfect Match Season 3 brought together singles from various reality dating shows to find their ideal romantic partners through compatibility challenges and strategic coupling. The Netflix series expanded for the first time to include contestants from non-Netflix programs like The Bachelor, Love Island, and Siesta Key alongside existing Netflix reality stars. Rachel Recchia is known from The Bachelor Season 26, The Bachelorette Season 19, and Bachelor in Paradise Season 9. She entered the villa seeking genuine connection after previous televised dating disappointments.
Ray Gantt, a Love Island USA Season 1 alum, also joined the cast hoping to find lasting love. The pair became one of five couples reaching the season finale, though they were among the newest partnerships formed during filming.
Rachel and Ray only matched for the first time in Episodes 7 and 8, making their connection relatively recent compared to other finalist couples. Before coupling with Ray, Rachel had been matched with Clayton Echard and Scott van-der-Sluiss, and went on dates with Freddie Powell. Their late-season romance survived elimination rounds to reach the final compatibility challenge, where they were ultimately eliminated alongside two other couples.
Winners Lucy Syed and Daniel Perfetto claimed the top prize, while AD Smith and Ollie Sutherland finished as runners-up. It's not very clear if Ray and Rachel are still involved romantically, owing to Rachel's vague comments, but it's quite likely they've retained some kind of connection.
What is Rachel and Ray’s current relationship status after Perfect Match?
Rachel and Ray formed one of the season's newest romantic partnerships, only matching during Episodes 7 and 8 of the finale season. This timing gave them less opportunity to build a strong foundation compared to other couples.
Their delayed connection occurred after Rachel had explored relationships with multiple other contestants. She had previously been matched with Clayton Echard and Scott van-der-Sluiss, and went on dates with Freddie Powell before finding compatibility with Ray.
Despite the late start, their relationship showed promise during the finale episodes. Rachel acknowledged going "through a lot" to reach her current position with Ray, suggesting their bond developed through genuine effort and compatibility rather than convenience.
Rachel appeared to confirm ongoing communication with Ray during an August 2025 interview on The Viall Files podcast. She revealed that she "might be talking to someone" from Perfect Match, though she remained deliberately vague about specifics.
When pressed for details, Rachel confirmed her potential romantic interest was a Love Island alumnus. This narrows the possibilities to three contestants: Ray Gantt, Scott van-der-Sluiss, and Carrington Rodriguez from various Love Island seasons.
Given that Rachel and Ray ended Perfect Match Season 3 as a couple, most evidence points to Ray being her continued romantic interest. She cryptically stated:
"There are three Love Island guys. I'll say that. I don't know which one though."
Rachel and Ray continue following each other on Instagram, suggesting they maintain friendly contact at minimum. This social media connection indicates no dramatic fallout or bitter ending to their televised romance.
Their continued online interaction contrasts with many reality TV couples who immediately unfollow each other after breakups. The maintained connection suggests either ongoing friendship or romantic potential between the former couple. Social media behavior often provides insight into reality TV relationships when contestants remain tight-lipped about their personal lives. Rachel and Ray's mutual following supports theories about their continued connection.
Rachel's post-show interviews revealed significant drama with her early Perfect Match partner Clayton Echard. She disclosed that Clayton unmatched with her because she wasn't a "gym girlie" who prioritized fitness activities. The revelation came after Clayton discussed their incompatibility on The Viall Files podcast without revealing specific reasons. Rachel called him repeatedly seeking clarification about his cryptic comments regarding their relationship failure.
Clayton eventually admitted he preferred partners with active lifestyles involving gym workouts and hiking. He explained not telling Rachel the truth during filming because he feared public backlash about commenting on her body or lifestyle choices.
The Clayton situation highlighted how lifestyle preferences can derail reality TV relationships despite apparent initial chemistry. Clayton wanted someone who would join him at Equinox gym and participate in intensive fitness activities. Rachel's preferences lean toward travel, shopping, and socializing rather than structured fitness routines. She emphasized enjoying "hot girl walks," but not intensive gym sessions or hiking adventures that Clayton valued.
This incompatibility underscores how Perfect Match's controlled environment might not reveal fundamental lifestyle differences that emerge in real-world relationships.
What is the final verdict?
Based on available evidence, Rachel and Ray likely maintain some form of ongoing connection after Perfect Match Season 3. Whether this represents active dating or friendship remains unclear given Rachel's intentionally ambiguous public statements.
Their late-season coupling may have created a stronger foundation than relationships formed purely for strategic reasons. Their late connection and ongoing social media interaction suggest potential for lasting compatibility beyond the show.
Perfect Match is streaming on Netflix.