Jenn Tran is opening up about her search for long-lasting love on The Bachelorette.
Tran, who was named The Bachelorette’s first Asian American lead, opened up to People about her experience on the show – admitting she is ‘very happy’ with the ending of her season.
‘I’m very happy with the ending and I’m very happy with the way everything panned out,’ she told the outlet. ‘I learned so much every day that I was there [to find out] about myself and what I wanted in a relationship. There was so much growth.’
During the course of filming, Tran, 26, also redefined what she was ultimately looking to get out of the show.
‘I feel like when you start on the journey, you’re so hopeful for an engagement,’ she explained. ‘And then as you go through the journey, it’s like, what [does] an engagement really mean to you? Is it just a ring, or is it a commitment?
Jenn Tran is opening up about her search for long-lasting love on The Bachelorette; pictured arriving to Good Morning America in New York on Monday
‘What I really was looking for was a lasting partner, so I think my definition of that really changed throughout the journey,’ she added.
During her interview, Tran also revealed the racism she endured after being named The Bachelorette’s first-ever Asian American lead.
‘I won’t say that it’s all been positive because racism still exists,’ she told People.
However, Tran has also received positive feedback from those ‘grateful’ to see her grace their TV screens.
‘I have gotten a lot of hate messages, but along with that, I’ve also gotten so many people who have been so grateful to see somebody like me on their screen. I feel so grateful and honored that I get to do that for people because growing up, I never had that. I am becoming the role model that I’ve always wanted to see as a little girl.’
Tran was unaware of the depth of the racism until after she finished filming The Bachelorette, when she logged back onto her phone and saw the hateful remarks left behind by trolls.
‘I was announced, and then, I had immediately left for filming. I didn’t have my phone throughout that whole time, so I had no idea what the world was saying until I came back from this amazing experience. I was so excited and so hopeful, and then, I go online and I read a bajillion people’s opinions on everything. That was really disappointing,’ she explained.
While it was difficult for Tran to read the racist comments, she still remains positive and optimistic: ‘I’m so honored to be the first Asian American lead. I know I’m inspiring so many people to embrace their differences.
Tran has made history as the franchise’s first-ever Asian American lead
Tran donned a hot pink dress and strappy metallic heels
‘I really think my story lies in the fact that I’ve always felt different my entire life, and I hope that people can see that you shouldn’t want to be normal, you should embrace what makes you you.’
Tran was studying to become a physician’s assistant, however has put her education on hold as she seeks love on reality TV, according to People.
Tran was announced as the next Bachelorette after unsuccessfully vying for Joey Graziadei’s heart on his season of The Bachelor.
‘Tran is a sweet and compassionate woman who has dedicated her life to helping others and is currently studying to become a physician assistant,’ her bio reads. ‘The bilingual Vietnamese beauty currently resides in Miami and is ready to find love with a man who’s as reliable and thoughtful as she is. When she’s not studying, Tran loves reading, paddleboarding and traveling whenever she has the chance.’
Jenn, who is Vietnamese American, said that it felt ‘honestly incredible’ to have been chosen as the next star of The Bachelorette.
‘I feel so so grateful and so honored to be the first Asian bachelorette in this franchise,’ she said as she was announced.
Tran rocked a head full of loose waves in addition to silver earrings and black sunglasses
She joined The Bachelor franchise as a contestant on Joey Graziadei’s season
‘Tran is a sweet and compassionate woman who has dedicated her life to helping others and is currently studying to become a physician assistant,’ her bio reads
Her new position as The Bachelorette was also a corrective to a dearth of Asians on TV when she was younger.
‘Growing up, I’ve always wanted to see Asian representation on TV. And I feel like it was really sparse,’ she admitted. ‘Any time Asians were in the media, it was to fill a supporting character role, to fulfill some sort of stereotype, and I felt really boxed in by that because I was like, ‘I don’t see myself on screen. I don’t see myself as a main character.’
Jenn looked incredible as she promoted her new season ahead of tonight’s premiere.
She couldn’t have looked any happier as she arrived to Good Morning America wearing a hot pink dress and massive smile.
Jenn slipped her feet into metallic heels and rocked a head full of loose waves for her moment in the spotlight.
Season 21 of The Bachelorette will premiere tonight on ABC at 8/7c.
