The Bachelorette season 21's Devin Strader made a shocking claim that he was Jenn Tran's second choice as he released private text messages between them in an attempt to defend himself. Jenn proposed to Devin during her season finale, and he accepted and proposed to her in return. However, during The Bachelorette season 21 "After the Final Rose" episode, Jenn revealed that Devin had broken up with her via phone call about a month before the finale aired.
"I wasn't her first choice."
In an Instagram reel, Devin revealed many of his private text messages with Jenn, although some were blacked out for privacy reasons. However, Devin's most shocking comment was when he stated, "I had to clearly watch myself play second to someone else, and that's okay. We moved on from that. I wasn't her first choice."
Devin added that he doesn't fault Jenn for the feelings that she had towards runner-up Marcus Shoberg, but he wasn't informed of them during their relationship. Devin also said that he felt his decision to break up with her was "reaffirmed" by what he saw.
Devin Apologizes For Following Maria Georgas On Instagram
Devin Said That He Doesn't Know Maria
During "After the Final Rose," Jenn told Devin that she was very hurt that he'd followed her ex-friend, Maria, on Instagram after they'd broken up. Devin shared that he'd followed Maria the week of August 14, when he followed a bunch of Bachelor Nation accounts, but he admitted, "regardless, it was still an ill-advised decision on my part. I made an emotionally charged decision, and Jenn and I were in a fight at the time." Devin said that he did apologize for it. He added that he doesn't know Maria, and he will never follow Maria.
Although it's understandable that Devin wanted to tell his side of the story, especially because he didn't say much during "After the Final Rose," he probably shouldn't have shared his private text messages with Jenn. Bachelor Nation already sees Devin as a villain, and this will only confirm that thought in many viewers' heads. However, it must've been difficult for Devin to see Jenn tell Marcus that she loved him before she told him, especially since she'd told Devin that it was so hard for her to express her feelings.
The Bachelorette season 21 had one of the most shocking and devastating finales. It was hard to watch Jenn sob while watching the proposal, especially since Devin was sitting right next to her. However, Jenn is ready to move on with her life now, as she competes on Dancing With the Stars season 33. As for Devin, he should probably lie low for a while if he ever hopes to redeem himself from his villain status. He likes to talk, but, now that he's said what he wanted to say, it's probably better for him to keep a low profile.
