Will Devin Strader leave 'The Bachelorette'? ABC suitor drops hints about his future
HOUSTON, TEXAS: If Jenn Tran had let her ex-boyfriend Matt Rossi join her group of men in New Zealand, Devin Strader has disclosed if he would have actually left 'The Bachelorette'. In the episode airing on July 29, 'The Bachelorette' star Matt, who, according to Jesse, had paid for his own journey to New Zealand, informed Jenn, a dear friend he had dated for many months a few years prior, that he still loved her and wanted to win her back.
"If she does let Matt join I'm leaving," Devin told Grant Ellis at the cocktail party in Auckland before the season's fifth Rose Ceremony. He then declared to the other boys, "If Jenn walks in here with this guy, this rose on my chest doesn't mean anything to me."
In the August 8 episode of the 'Bachelor Happy Hour' podcast, Devin was asked whether it was indeed how he felt, to which he responded, "Oh yeah." To Joe Amabile and Serena Pitt, Devin said, "I think that was one of the moments where -- I like to say I think through a lot of the things that I'm going to say vs. just spewing them out, but that was just pure emotion for me."
Devin claimed that he had "played ex-games" in the past and that this has been "a theme" throughout his life. "For me, in my mind, to have the strength to turn all that way -- I've turned a new chapter in my life, and I'm putting it all out there for this woman that I want to see where it can go," Devin said.
"We just had an amazing one-on-one date, and so it was personal for me, you know? Those feelings were personal. I had just told her I was falling for her. There were all of these new developing, budding emotions that I'm experiencing -- and then the hammer drops."
Devin let it all out, saying he was afraid "some guy" from Jenn's past would just "take her away."
"I thought, that could be that! Because I know how easy it can be to fall into that feeling of comfortability with an ex-partner."
Devin stated that hearing that a man from Jenn's past was still in love with her and wished for another opportunity must have been difficult for the collective. "I know where I've faltered in the past, where I've made that mistake of going back to an ex-partner before and not having the strength to know there's something else better for me in my future."
'The Bachelorette' star Jenn Tran sent ex Matt Rossi home
Bachelorette Jenn appreciated ex-Matt's sweet gesture in an attempt to win her back, but eventually sent him packing. During the August 5 episode of 'The Bachelorette', Jenn's remaining competitors were upset to learn that her ex had flown to New Zealand to compete for her affections.
After surprising Jenn in last week's episode, Matt dressed up and went to the cocktail party. Several of her suitors, including one of her front-runners, Devin, vowed to leave the program if she allowed Matt to stay.
Jenn questioned Matt about why he decided to reenter her life during their conversation. Matt explained how he came to feel that way about her when Jenn said she didn't realize he "felt that way" about her.
But Jenn chose to send Matt home after rejecting him. Jenn described to her bachelors how it seemed like the incorrect person was saying "I love you" when she heard Matt say it.
Matt Rossi apologized to 'The Bachelorette' Season 21 contestants
Matt, a 28-year-old beer salesman and content developer from Boston, apologized to Jenn's group of guys before departing the show, despite the fact that Jenn shattered his heart.
Matt said in a quiet voice, "I did come here on my own volition, but she let me know her future is in this room."
"She feels confident that you guys can offer her something I can't, and I'm just here to apologize. I'm not here to take anything away from your experience. I wish you all the best, and I wish Jenn the best."
Devin Strader feels more connected to 'The Bachelorette' Jenn Tran following Matt Rossi's elimination
Devin revealed that he was "very happy" that Matt was leaving. "It was a very refreshing feeling to know that he was leaving, but not just because he was leaving, but because Jenn, it's like, I watched her grow in that moment," Devin remembered.
Devin claimed that witnessing Jenn reach that realization on her own in a domain where he had previously struggled "made him feel that much more attached" to 'The Bachelorette' star. "I was like, 'Wow, everything I tried to do in the past and everything I had to do to get to [a better] place in my mind, you just did it right there!'" Devin raved.
"And that was amazing to see, that she chose the uncomfortable moment vs. just the safe and reliable and 'what I know in the past' moment. It was, 'I know something better is out there, and I want to see where it goes.'"
