MEAWW.COM / ENTERTAINMENT / REALITY TV

Who is the new 'Bachelorette'? ABC slammed for forced '25 year old diversity hire' franchise gets first Asian American lead

Jenn Tran, a 25-year-old physician assistant student, is Bachelor franchise's first Asian star

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: 'The Bachelorette' has uncovered its next leading lady. Jenn Tran will set out on her own adventure for love on Season 21 of the ABC dating series, the network announced on March 25's finale of 'The Bachelor', and fans aren't happy with their decision.

She is the first Asian-American woman to oversee the franchise. One disappointed viewer took to social media to write, "If they wanted an asian bachelorette so bad why would Rachel not be the absolute hands down obvious pick. Joey also said she was one of the funniest? How could they miss this hard I’m so tired of it."

One user further wrote, "And there it is, Bach franchise trying to meet the diversity quota, this better not be as performative as I’m worried it’s going to be." Another person chimed in, "I mean they had to fill the diversity quota and not the personality one so." 

One user slammed ABC writing, "I’m glad to see the Bachelor Franchsie die so many years they didn’t want to listen to their fan base have fun with the 25 year old diversity hire." A frustrated fan tweeted, "Biggest let down EVER. Jen? Really? Ohhhh ok, now I get it. We're doing the forced diversity thing? So u give it to Jen (?) and not Daisy, who's perfect & the fan favorite, because she's Asian? Seriously?" 

Some users wrote, "Everyone make sure to let ABC know just how stupid of a decision it was to kill the bachelorette franchise on the eve of its revival with the 25 year old diversity hire with no screen time as bachelorette." "Ew way to end the best season in a long time with an overtly obvious diversity pick for Bachelorette. We waited 3 hours for this (No offense Jen we literally don’t know you)," argued another. 

Who is 'The Bachelorette' Season 21 lead Jenn Tran?

Jenn dated Joey Graziadei on Season 28 of 'The Bachelor' and made it to the final five before being sent home. Jenn, a 25-year-old from Florida, is a beautiful and sensitive lady who has committed her life to serving people and is presently training to become a medical assistant.

The bilingual Vietnamese beauty presently resides in Miami and is looking for love with a man who is as dependable and thoughtful as her. When Jenn is not studying, she enjoys reading, paddleboarding, and traveling.

Jenn Tran happy to represent Asian-American heritage on 'The Bachelorette' Season 21

Jenn was overwhelmed since she was just in surgery the other day. "I'm looking for someone who has a really big personality," she stated.

Jenn is the first Asian American Bachelorette! "Growing up, I always wanted to see Asian representation on TV," she remarked.

"It feels so surreal to be sitting here." Jenn said that she is "so, so grateful" to be the first Asian star in the Bachelor series.

"Growing up, I always wanted to see Asian representation on TV," she continued. "Now, to be here today... being like, 'I am going to be the main character in my story,' I can't help but think of how many people I'm inspiring and how many lives I can impact."

Jenn Tran's relationship with her mother improved after 'The Bachelor' Season 28

Jenn was a constantly nice presence during Joey's season of 'The Bachelor'. She went on a go-kart on premiere night and went surfing with the Bachelor on their one-on-one date in Week 3.

When the group went to Montreal in week six, Jenn stood out with her... unusual poutine dish, which Joey eagerly tested. Despite his "connection" with Jenn, Joey eventually sent her packing a week before hometown dates.

During her Hot Seat appearance at the Women Tell All reunion on March 18, Jenn discussed how her time on 'The Bachelor' strengthened her connection with her mother. "She's never really seen me as, like, a full adult," she added.

"But watching me on TV and watching me fall in love, she's really seen me grow into my own, and it's been monumental for our relationship." Jenn went on to laud her mother, who moved to America from Vietnam, and raised Jenn and her brother alone when Jenn's father abandoned the family.

"She's the woman I want to be when I grow up," she remarked. "She honestly just means everything to me."

ABC revealed at the Television Critics Association's winter press conference in February that 'The Bachelorette' Season 21 will premiere in the fall of 2024.