High schoolJenn Tran has a question for Bachelor Nation members: “Are you ready for drink time?”
Since the 26-year-old physician assistant student had drinks with host Jesse Palmer and a live studio audience during The BachelorIn the season 28 finale of ‘s in March, she has been making history in the franchise as the first Asian Bachelorette party Leading and embracing his Main Character Era.
“As a kid, I always wanted to see Asian representation on TV. I feel like it was very lacking. Whenever Asians appeared in the media, it was to play a supporting role. [or] to fulfill some kind of stereotype. And I always felt pigeonholed into that, because [didn’t] “I don’t see myself on screen. I don’t see myself as a main character,” Tran told America during the final live event. “Sitting here today in this position… I’m going to lead my own love story. I’m going to be the main character in my story. I can’t help but think about how many people I’m inspiring and how many lives I’m changing.”
Before High school‘s premiere on Monday, July 8, Tran joined a Zoom call with Jugo Mobile to preview her season’s “twists and turns,” prepare us for another “surprise” ending, share her biggest hope for viewers, and more.
A night to remember
When Tran’s 25 contestants make their creative limo outings during High schoolThe season 21 premiere of ‘The Bachelor Mansion,’ night 1, will look a little different than previous seasons. Instead of standing in the entryway of the franchise’s beloved Bachelor Mansion, Villa de la ViñaTran will welcome her suitors from season 21. Hummingbird’s Nest Ranch in Santa Susana, a town in Simi Valley, California. But with ABC hinting at “a jet-setting trip” and “exotic locales,” it looks like the group won’t be staying in their new digs for long!
“While I was being interviewed for High school and doing all these things, [producers] “I knew I have a passion for travel. I crave adventure. I crave exploration,” Tran told Jugo Mobile, teasing what is rumored to be a primarily overseas stint.
Those who saw The Bachelor Earlier this year you’ll recall that Tran “raced” to the mansion in a go-kart on the first night because she was so excited to meet Graziadei. While you’ll have to tune in to her premiere to rate the limo outings, it seems some of Tran’s men weren’t so kind when it came to their own first impressions.
“I was thinking all night, ‘That was an interesting choice. It definitely wouldn’t have been my choice!’” Tran admitted with a laugh. “But everyone has their own ideas. I always preach that you have to be yourself, and if you are, then that’s fine! It’s better to know now than later.”
Clear eyes, open hearts, can’t miss
After making a good first impression and getting close to Graziadei during a successful one-on-one surf date in Los Angeles, Tran became a favorite. The Bachelor and did her best to open up to Graziadei and viewers. Throughout her tour, she opened up about her difficult childhood, a strained relationship with her father, and toxic romantic relationships in her past, admitting, “I went through periods where I thought I was never going to be loved and I was never going to find anybody.” Graziadei ultimately sent Tran home before Hometown Week, but the experience left her with a renewed sense of self-worth and hope that she’ll find her person.
“As a contestant, I had a hard time opening up and being vulnerable. That’s something I learned on Joey’s season: that it’s okay to do that. It’s okay to let people get close and show your weaknesses sometimes. And there’s a lot of strength in being able to be vulnerable about things that are hard to talk about,” Tran told Jugo Mobile. “Coming into my career, I was very conscious of that, because I know that you can’t really expect all these guys to come here and open their hearts if you’re not going to open yours.”
The power of Asian representation on television
As America watches Tran’s historic search for a fiancé who will make her as happy as her celebrity loves Shawn Mendez and Chris Evans, she has one request: try to keep an open mind and heart.
It is no secret that the Bachelor The franchise has been criticized for race-related issues for years, and producers recently admitted that The Los Angeles Times who disappointed their first black Bachelor The protagonist Matt James. During the episode “Women Tell All” by Graziadei Bachelor In Season 1, which Tran attended, fellow contestant Rachel Nance spoke out about the overwhelming racism she encountered on social media after her Hometown episode. Though Palmer and the network took time to address the topic, the host did not mention the word “racism” and steered the conversation toward more general online hate, which some found disappointing.
“We’re all human and we’re all trying to find someone to love or just trying to love ourselves… So I really hope that people can open their minds a little bit more.”
Jenn Tran, High school
“I have definitely received my fair share of racist comments and [have been] “I’ve been subjected to microaggressions here and there,” Tran said when asked about The importance of persity and on-screen representation on television“What I would say to these people is that I really hope that my story being on screen and being played out will allow other people to open their hearts and their minds to something that is different from themselves. Because at the core, we are all human and we are all trying to find someone to love or just trying to love ourselves, and we are all trying to be ourselves. So I really hope that people can open their minds a little bit more.”
A “surprise” ending awaits us
While Tran understandably remained tight-lipped about the details of her… Bachelorette party During the trip, she teased what producers called another unprecedented ending for the franchise.
“It’s a surprise, for sure. It’s definitely not something I could have imagined was going to happen… I was constantly surprised and on the edge of my seat most of the time,” Tran said, promising “a lot of twists and turns.”
All in all, Tran is “really happy with how everything turned out” and “really excited for it all to come out.” That said, she also confirmed that she will be watching the shooting schedule each week to get through the season. “Yeah, I’ll be shooting every Monday,” she laughed.
High school Season 21 premieres Monday, July 8 at 8:00 p.m. ET (airtime) on ABC and will be available to watch the following day on Hulu. Be sure to check out our cast guide for more details. High school Season 21 while you wait.