The Bachelor production team may have messed up with the casting of Sam McKinney, who made a huge blunder on Jenn Tran’s season of the series, but scrambling to fix the issue with the next season of the series may not eradicate the problem. The Bachelorette season 21 has been a major issue for ABC, as things haven’t gone to plan in nearly any facet. While Bachelor Nation was looking forward to an exciting season of the series that would highlight the first Asian American Bachelorette, the show has focused on the storylines of villains and drama behind the scenes.
Jenn, originally featured on The Bachelor season 28 with Joey Graziadei, had her own journey to find genuine love on her season of The Bachelorette, but it hasn’t been without a few sore spots. While many of the men hoping for Jenn’s affection, like Bachelor hopeful Spencer Conley, some weren’t on the series for the right reasons, and the edit seemed to focus on them more than the genuine relationships being built up. Jenn’s time as the lead has been difficult for Bachelor Nation, especially with some of her suitors turning out sour, leaving production scrambling to fix their mistakes.
Jenn Becoming The Bachelorette Wasn’t Expected
Many Felt It Would Be Daisy Kent Or Maria Georgas
Although Jenn was a major part of The Bachelor season 28, finding herself in the top five women vying for Joey’s heart, she wasn’t necessarily the first person that production had in mind for the job. Jenn, who was eliminated from Joey’s season right before hometowns, was on the shortlist of who could become the next Bachelorette, but was stationed behind Daisy Kent and Maria Georgas. Daisy, Joey’s runner-up, turned down the role of Bachelorette to prioritize herself. Maria, who had a playful villain edit on The Bachelor, accepted the role initially but turned it down after thinking about it.
While Jenn wasn’t necessarily the first choice to become The Bachelorette, she was happy to take on the role and understood that the decision hadn’t been an easy one for ABC. As the first-ever Asian American Bachelorette, Jenn had some serious work to do prior to her season to ensure her representation was beneficial to her community. Though she wasn’t the Bachelorette that Bachelor Nation anticipated, Jenn was the right fit for the role and had support from all sides.
Bachelor Nation Was Happy To Embrace Jenn
They Loved Her For Who She Was
Jenn was ecstatic to become the next Bachelorette, and Bachelor Nation was excited about her infectious energy. After the announcement was made, Jenn spoke out about the fact that she was happy to be a new voice for the franchise. Open to finding love in her own right, Jenn was happy to be taking the journey as The Bachelorette, but understood that the role would be something that had both fun and difficult moments all at once. For Jenn, becoming the next lead was scary, but she was excited to be taking on the challenge with Bachelor Nation supporting her.
Sam McKinney’s Distasteful Comments About Jenn Ruined Their Relationship
He Was Egotistical & Rude
Throughout The Bachelorette season 21, viewers have struggled to understand the villain of the season, Sam McKinney. The recipient of Jenn’s first impression rose, Sam has been a polarizing figure among Bachelor Nation as he’s seemed to be withholding himself in some ways though he’s been upfront and open about liking Jenn throughout the season. In a recent episode of the series, it came to light that Sam wasn’t actually interested in Jenn. He’d been under the impression The Bachelorette would be Maria or Daisy when he’d been cast, and shared harshly that Jenn wasn’t his type before being eliminated.
Bachelor Producers Are Scrambling To Fix Their Mistakes
They Named The Next Lead As A Bandaid
After Sam’s outburst and ultimate elimination from the season, Bachelor producers have been scrambling to figure out how to present his behavior to the audience and keep it from happening again. While Sam’s behavior was uncalled for, the biggest thing to come from his blunder for Bachelor producers needed to be about preventing that reaction again in the future. Naming the next Bachelor after his elimination from Jenn’s season, The Bachelor season 29’s lead Grant Ellis was revealed early to viewers. This seems like a play to ensure people who want to connect with Grant specifically apply for his season.
Is The Bachelor Doing Too Little Too Late?
Their Efforts May Not Be Meaningful
Although the fact that Bachelor hopefuls will be able to apply for Grant’s season knowing who The Bachelor is and what he’s like, the gesture appears to be too little, too late. With Sam’s uncalled for behavior tarnishing Jenn’s season, the ride of The Bachelorette season 21 has slowed down and become concerning for viewers, sucking the air out of the season. Jenn’s final four will be interesting, but the fact that she’s been focusing on Sam is difficult to reckon with. While The Bachelor producers may be fixing the issue, but it doesn’t make up for the initial trouble.
