The Bachelorette season 21 has been a difficult journey for Jenn Tran, made no easier by the behind-the-scenes production because of how little the show cares about its lead, which lets Bachelor Nation entirely. Jenn, who first appeared on Joey Graziadei’s season of The Bachelor, was known as an effervescent, bubbly, funny contestant that Bachelor Nation naturally gravitated toward. Though many felt uncertain about what would happen with Jenn after The Bachelor season 28 because of the leading contenders from the season, viewers were thrilled to see Jenn named The Bachelorette. Ready for her own love story, Jenn was ecstatic.
As the first Asian American Bachelorette lead, Jenn felt an enormous sense of responsibility to be upfront and honest about her journey, sharing her struggles as a member of the AAPI community. Jenn hoped to be a role model for younger girls who weren’t used to seeing someone look like them on a show like The Bachelorette, and was excited to showcase a high level of diversity during her season. While there were some limits to the things that could change in the longtime series, The Bachelorette shared that they were doing their best to be inclusive, but didn’t deliver.
Jenn Was A Bachelor Nation Favorite From Joey's Season
She Made It To The Final 5
Although Jenn’s time on The Bachelor season 28 didn’t lead her to a happily ever after in the traditional sense, she was able to get to know Joey in a way that made her believe she could end up with him. Jenn, who introduced herself as a PA student who was taking a break from her studies for the journey of a lifetime, was excited for the experience of The Bachelor. While she was hopeful she’d find love, she also knew that the connections she’d be making on the show were enough to make the experience fulfilling.
Jenn’s funny, sweet personality was heavily featured on the show, and her unexpected sense of humor was a surprise to Bachelor Nation. Somewhat darker than what many would anticipate, Jenn was able to hold court with the rest of the women and make them laugh, which made her stand out. Jenn’s time on The Bachelor solidified her as the right person to lead the next season of The Bachelorette.
Jenn's Cast Of Suitors Wasn't Diverse Enough For The First Asian American Bachelorette
Only One Asian American Man Was Cast
As The Bachelorette, Jenn was excited to be bringing a different type of diversity to the series. Jenn was open about the fact that being the first Asian American Bachelorette was going to bring a lot of pressure to her as the lead, but she felt ready to take that on during her season. Being upfront and honest about what she was looking for, Jenn seemed like she was ready to take on the challenge and represent her culture.
Although it was one of the major talking points of Jenn’s press tour before her season, where she gracefully shared more about her culture, and family history with Bachelor Nation, Jenn’s cast was lacking guys who shared her heritage. While Jenn’s cast did feature a high level of diversity, only one Asian American man was cast on The Bachelorette season 21. Jenn’s connection with Thomas Nguyen was decent, but nowhere near strong enough for her to keep him around. Disappointed, Jenn was open about the fact that she wished there had been more men of Asian descent on the show.
Jenn's Season Has Been Full Of Villains, Making It Hard For Her To Connect
The Guys Haven’t Been Genuine
Although Jenn’s season has been an interesting mix of drama from the relationships between the lead and her suitors and the suitors themselves, The Bachelorette season 21 has been full of villains, which causes major issues. Despite knowing that Bachelor Nation isn’t interested in the fabricated villain storylines that the series edits, production always casts villains in the show and gives them lackluster stories that typically feel fake. On The Bachelorette season 21, there were levels of villains that joined the series, and the majority of them fell flat.
With several villains, including Devin Strader and Sam McKinney, on the show this season, there have been complaints about the fact that their storylines surrounding each other take away from Jenn’s story. Jenn, who’s meant to be the lead of The Bachelorette season 21, has her agency taken away when there are men hoping to connect with her for all the wrong reasons. Despite knowing that Jenn was authentically looking for a romantic connection, The Bachelorette producers decided to go for the villain edit.
Jenn's Journey Was Interrupted By Bachelor News
It Let The Air Out Of Her Season
Although Jenn’s season of The Bachelorette isn’t over, ABC chose to release the news about the next Bachelor in the middle of the final stretch of the season. Rather than waiting until the traditional announcement time, during the After The Final Rose special, or even until The Golden Bachelorette finale, the series dropped the news that Grant Ellis would be the next Bachelor directly after his elimination episode. With press about Grant’s Bachelor news overtaking Jenn’s season press, the move was a confusing tactic that has seemed to let the air out of her journey.
With Grant’s journey as The Bachelor having been announced outside of the normal timeslot, Jenn’s season doesn’t have much to be excited for outside of learning who she chooses at the end and if they’re still together currently. Though there are still Bachelor Nation viewers who will be watching the end of the season, the announcement seemed to take enough attention away from Jenn. While it was likely simply a scheduling decision, it feels like the network is trying to hide something.
Jenn's Final Choice Seems Obvious & Underwhelming
Her Potential Fiance Is Clear To Viewers
While there are still possibilities that the spoilers about Jenn’s final choice are incorrect, it seems unlikely that the man who has been reported to be her final rose recipient is wrong at this point. Though it’s unconfirmed, The Bachelorette’s final choice seems obvious and underwhelming if the spoilers that have been reported are correct. Bachelor Nation was hoping Jenn would find a dynamic relationship worthy of her sweet disposition, but it seems she may have had very few options to choose from with the cast that Bachelorette producers found for her.
The Bachelorette Didn't Care About Jenn's Journey
They Didn’t Take Care Of Jenn
Although The Bachelorette made it seem like they would be taking care of Jenn and treating her like the genuine lead of the series, she didn’t have the same opportunity as some of the other recent leads. While she was one of the more exciting choices in years and Bachelor Nation was thrilled about her journey on the show, Jenn’s time on the show has been disappointing. The Bachelorette was meant to give Jenn an unforgettable journey on the series, but they didn’t care enough to set her up for success.
