Jenn Tran, the first Asian American Bachelorette and a rising TV star, has opened up about the challenges and triumphs of her journey on the popular reality dating show.
As she breaks barriers as the franchise’s first lead of Asian descent, Tran reflects on the struggles of not always feeling like she belonged and the importance of using her platform to inspire others, particularly young Asian viewers, to embrace their unique identities and see themselves reflected in mainstream media.
“Growing up, I never really felt like I was anybody’s first choice,” Tran admits, reflecting on her experiences as an Asian American woman. But now, she’s embracing her unique identity and using her platform to inspire others. “I’m so proud of who I am and where I come from, and I’m excited to be able to share that with everybody.”
Read more: Jenn Tran Makes ‘Bachelor’ Franchise History as First Asian American Bachelorette
Tran’s season of The Bachelorette is filled with the usual drama and romance, but it’s also a groundbreaking moment for representation. Tran acknowledges the significance of her role, stating, “Any time anyone comes up to me and they’re like, ‘I’ve been waiting for this moment…’ I know how much it means.”
One of the most heartwarming moments of the season was Tran’s connection with contestant Thomas N. over their shared cultural heritage. “It’s not every day that you get to bond with somebody on your immigrant parents,” Tran shares. “That was a really special conversation for me because he really understood where I was coming from.”
However, Tran also addresses the lack of Asian men on the show, expressing her hope that her presence, along with Thomas N.’s, will inspire more Asian men to see themselves in this position. “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 admits.
“Asian men haven’t always seen themselves in this position,” she continues, “and I am hoping that me being here and 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.”
Don’t miss Jenn’s journey to find love! The Bachelorette premieres on Monday, July 8, at 8 p.m. ET, and streams the next day on Hulu. Catch all the drama, romance, and quest for love unfold each week.
