Summary

• Jenn Tran, the first Asian American Bachelorette, expresses disappointment in the lack of Asian men in her cast.
• She hopes to inspire more Asian men to participate in the franchise and find relationships with shared culture and background.
• Jenn's honesty about her disappointment highlights the ongoing issue of diversity in Bachelor Nation.

The Bachelor season 28 with Joey Graziadei. After going out in fifth place, Jenn’s journey to becoming The Bachelorette wasn’t as smooth as she hoped. Jenn’s time on the show made her a Bachelor Nation fan favorite, but many were hopeful for another lead. Instead, Jenn got to go on an incredible journey.

"It is unfortunate that there weren’t a lot of Asian men this season"

During an interview with Glamour (via US Weekly), Jenn shared her disappointment with the lack of diversity in her cast, especially in the lack of Asian men. Sharing that she wasn’t happy with the lack of Asian men in her cast, she tried to explain her feelings surrounding the choice. “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,” Jenn shared.

After The Bachelor franchise was called out for their lack of diversity casting in a 2024 , many believed Jenn’s casting as the first Asian American lead would create a spark for the franchise. Instead, it appears that Jenn being cast was meant to be a salve for the situation, rather than a gateway to more diverse casting throughout the franchise. With the lack of diversity in Bachelor Nation, many are ready to see some serious change.

Jenn Wanted More Men With Her Shared Culture & Background

During Jenn’s conversation with Glamour, she explained that she was hoping to see more Asian men on her cast specifically in order to meet someone who shared her culture and background, which could potentially help her find a relationship with longevity. She applauded one of the men on her cast, Thomas N., for his participation in The Bachelorette as the only Asian man on her season. Jenn explained she hopes that “both of us can inspire other Asian men to realize that they can do this too if they want,” in the future.

Though Jenn has been open and honest about the way that being a minority cast member made her feel on the Bachelor side, sharing that she wishes her own cast had more diversity is an interesting choice. It’s unexpected to hear one of the leads so openly criticize the franchise, especially before her season hits the air. While Jenn’s Bachelorette season is only days away, her decision to be honest about her disappointment surrounding the cast of men who she shared the experience with was a brave one.

As Jenn’s season of The Bachelorette gets started, it will become more evident just how much diversity has been pushed to the wayside when her cast begins their limo entrances. Although there has been more diversity from season to season in Bachelor Nation, things have been difficult for the franchise as their practices have been called into question publicly, and they’ve failed to answer for their choices. With Jenn as the first Asian American lead of The Bachelorette, a time of change could be coming for the show.

Sources: US Weekly, Jenn Tran/Instagram