Amid The Bachelor controversy with Rachael Kirkconnell, triggering Matt James’ breakup with her, James admits in a recent interview with Good Morning America that he wishes he’d done a bit more research on the contestants.

“Before [Rachael’s] photos came to light, had you ever had conversations of what it would be like or mean to be in a biracial relationship and about raising kids together?” Michael Strahan asked James. 

James answered honestly, telling the GMA host, “I think that a lot of the time spent during filming and having those conversations was among the other women of color. I think that we could have had those conversations amongst the white women who were there, as well. But hindsight’s 20/20, and I probably should have asked more clarifying questions.”

Despite the unfortunate turn of events, James says he’s grateful for the experience and believes it opens more dialogue about such issues.

“I would say that the conversations that have come from everything that has taken place are more important than anything I could have left with,” James said. “If that means that I leave under the circumstances that I left with, then so be it.”

He also told Strahan that engagement and marriage were on his mind with Kirkconnell but such were derailed upon the discovery.  “When you find out things like I did, it deters you from that ultimate goal,” he said.