It’s the lack of diversity for me.
Jenn Tran, the first Asian woman to star on “The Bachelorette” says she’s disappointed at the lack of men who share her culture and background during her season.
“I can’t really speak to the casting process and the decisions that were made, but it is unfortunate that there weren’t a lot of Asian men this season,” Tran said in an interview with Glamour, which was published on July 1.
“Asian men haven’t always seen themselves in this position, and I am hoping that me being and [contestant] Thomas N. being there, that the both of us can inspire other Asian men to realize that they can do this too if they want.”
“They can be in this position as well. I’m hoping that it inspires them,” Tran, 26, continued.
During the interview, Tran said she connected with an Asian man who competed for her heart on Season 21.
“It’s not every day that you get to bond with somebody on your immigrant parents and you get to connect with somebody on that level, because not everybody can understand that,” she continued. “That was a really special conversation for me because he really understood where I was coming from, and my family means everything to me.”
In true fashion, the new ABC lead also teased that hers is the “most dramatic season” yet.
“The whole journey happened in a way that needed to happen, and I’m very happy with the way that things ended,” she said. “It’s definitely an ending that I didn’t see coming for myself. My family won’t see it coming, and I don’t think viewers will see it coming too. I’m very excited for it all to unfold.”
Tran was raised by Vietnamese immigrants in Hillsdale, New Jersey, and grew up in a mainly white suburban town.
“I was a minority. I never felt like I fit in. Growing up, I never really felt like I was anybody’s first choice because I was unique in my own way, and I didn’t always see it as a strength or a superpower,” she said. “I always wanted to shy away from it and be like everybody else.”
But now, the reality star is proud of who she is and is excited to share that with viewers.
She told Glamour: “Knowing that my parents immigrated over here to give me a better life, the sacrifices that they made, and the internal battle that I have with giving back to them in everything and every way that I could, but still trying to be independent…being a child of immigrant parents is something that not everybody can understand.”
She currently lives in Miami and is studying to become a physician assistant.
The bilingual bachelorette is not only “passionate about working in health care, she is also ready to prioritize finding love,” but using her identity as her motivation throughout her journey.
“Any time anyone comes up to me and they’re like, ‘I’ve been waiting for this moment…’ I know how much it means, because growing up, it’s hard when you don’t have any representation,” she explained. “It’s like,Okay, I’m doing this for a reason, and everybody understands how I’m feeling and I understand how you’re feeling.”
Since its 2002 debut, the “Bachelor” franchise has faced backlash and criticism for its lack of diversity.
There have been steps towards being more inclusive, including the first black leads, Rachel Lindsay and Matt James.
In 2023, the franchise also launched “The Golden Bachelor,” which showcased older contestants.
It was announced on March 25 that Tran will star next on “The Bachelorette.” She was first introduced to viewers on Season 20 of “The Bachelor,” starring Joey Graziadei. She was sent home in week 7.
Now it’s her turn to find the love of her life.
“To be able to get this opportunity to go on this love journey, I was so excited about that. I was nervous to handle 25 men all at one time and to handle their hearts and to figure out how to date them,” Tran told Glamour. “I knew it was going to dwindle down at some point, and so I was nervous about falling for too many people at once because that’s an unnatural thing to do.”
“The Bachelorette” premieres Monday, July 8 on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
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