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Why did Jenn Tran and Matthew Rossi split? ABC faces backlash for bringing 'The Bachelorette' star’s ex back

Viewers have voiced their displeasure with the producers of the show for featuring Jenn Tran's former partner on 'The Bachelorette'

AUCKLAND, NEW ZEALAND: In the recent episode of 'The Bachelorette' Season 21, viewers were surprised to see a special guest—Jenn Tran's former flame, Matthew Rossi. 

Viewers might remember Matthew as the ex who abruptly ended his relationship with Jenn after their brief post-graduation romance. Although their time together was short, Jenn credits their breakup as the reason she decided to relocate to Miami and pursue a career in PA school. 

In a TikTok video posted in February 2024, Matthew opened up about the breakup, sharing how, at 24, he was living in Boston with his three closest friends after the Covid-19 pandemic had ended.

Matthew recounted meeting Jenn on the dating app Hinge and how, although he wasn't ready for a serious relationship at the time, they stayed friends. Addressing potential criticism with a playful tone, he jokingly suggested that he was "using her for clout." He ended the video with a lighthearted nudge, urging Jenn to consider giving him another chance.

Viewers have voiced their displeasure with the producers for featuring Jenn Tran's former partner on the ABC dating show. Fans have expressed concerns and criticisms about the decision made by the production team to include him on the show. On X, one fan said, "That's stalkerish. I can't believe they would bring in a person like that."

Another fan added, "Producers scrolling through Jenn’s roster trying to make something interesting happen this season."

One fan noted, "Wait. We’re just bringing back anyone at this point ABC???"

Another fan said, "All she’s been talking about is how she has had horrible relationships in the past /been treated bad like ..why would the producers bring a man from her past back into her life like that ?"

Who is Matthew Rossi on 'The Bachelorette' Season 21?

Matthew Rossi is a talented brand manager and content creator from Boston, Massachusetts, known for bridging the gap between creators and brands. With a successful track record in the food and beverage industry, he has garnered a dedicated following of over 80K on Instagram.

Matthew's expertise spans product development, social media marketing, influencer collaborations, strategic planning, and team management. With a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Michigan, he is a seasoned marketing specialist.

Before his time at the prestigious Stephen M. Ross School of Business, Matthew honed his skills at Newton North High School and gained valuable experience through internships at Subaru of New England and Music Drives Us. He later joined PepsiCo as a Marketing Intern for MTN DEW before landing his current role as Brand Manager at The Boston Beer Company.

When did Jenn Tran and Matthew Rossi date?

In a TikTok video posted in 2023, Jenn Tran shared the story of her relationship with Matthew Rossi, lovingly nicknamed "Wiener Boy" because of his frequent posts about his cherished wiener dog across social media platforms.

Jenn and Matthew's relationship began three years earlier when Jenn moved to Boston after graduating from college in 2020. From the moment they started dating, Jenn was captivated by Matt and described herself as completely smitten with him.

After just three months of dating, Jenn's former partner Matthew ended their relationship. Although the breakup left her heartbroken, it catalyzed for Jenn to enroll in a physician's assistant program in Miami.

How far does Matthew Rossi go on 'The Bachelorette' Season 21?

If you’re hoping for Matt and Kirkland to complete their family with Jenn, you might be disappointed. Reality Steve has revealed that Jenn doesn’t give Matt a chance to stay, particularly since his reappearance happens midway through the season when Jenn has already formed strong connections with other contestants

Despite their past differences, Jenn and Matt seem to maintain a cordial relationship. Earlier this year, Jenn even offered Matt some interior design tips on TikTok. Specifically, she recommended adding plants to his space, to which Matt jokingly responded that fake plants might be a better option, recalling a time when he mistakenly watered a plastic plant for months. This interaction suggests that there is no animosity between the two, and they can engage in friendly banter.

New episodes of 'The Bachelorette' Season 21 air on Mondays at 8 pm ET on ABC, and are available on Hulu the following day.