Advertisement
In a groundbreaking move, ABC’s iconic dating franchise is making history by casting its first Asian American lead after more than two decades on the air. Jenn Tran, a 26-year-old aspiring physician assistant from Miami, has been announced as the star of the upcoming season of “The Bachelorette,” marking a significant step towards greater diversity and representation within the beloved reality TV series.
Tran’s casting was revealed during the season finale of “The Bachelor,” where she had been a contestant. Expressing her gratitude and honor at being chosen as the first Asian “Bachelorette,” Tran, who is of Vietnamese American descent, emphasized the importance of visibility and representation on television, particularly for Asian Americans like herself.
“Anytime Asians were in the media, it was to fill a supporting character role, to fulfill some sort of stereotype,” Tran shared. “I always felt boxed in by that because I was like, I don’t see myself onscreen. I don’t see myself as a main character.”
The casting of Tran comes amidst ongoing criticism of the franchise’s lack of diversity, particularly its overwhelmingly white participants. Despite casting its first Black lead, Rachel Lindsay, in 2017, and its first Black “Bachelor,” Matt James, in 2020, the franchise has faced scrutiny for perpetuating racist stereotypes, both in its casting choices and in its portrayal of contestants from diverse backgrounds.
The show’s representation of Asian contestants, in particular, has been sparse and often problematic, with many being eliminated early or reduced to stereotypes. However, recent seasons have shown signs of progress, with women of Asian descent like Tran, Lea Cayanan, and Rachel Nance receiving more prominent arcs and screen time.
Nance, who is of Black and Filipino descent, shared her experience of receiving hundreds of “hateful” messages on social media during her time on the show, highlighting the challenges faced by contestants from underrepresented backgrounds.
While ABC has made few changes to the “Bachelor” formula over the years, the casting of Tran as the first Asian American “Bachelorette” represents a significant milestone for the franchise. As audiences eagerly await the premiere of her season, Tran’s journey promises to be a celebration of love, diversity, and the breaking down of barriers in reality television.