ABC’s dating show franchise, “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” has made history by casting its first Asian American lead after 28 seasons and 20 seasons, respectively. Jenn Tran, a 26-year-old studying to become a physician assistant in Miami, will be the star of the upcoming season set to air this summer.
Tran’s casting was announced during the season finale of “The Bachelor,” where she was a contestant. In an emotional moment, Tran expressed her gratitude and honor at being the first Asian ‘Bachelorette’ in the franchise. As a Vietnamese American, she hopes to find love and provide representation for Asian Americans who have been underrepresented in mainstream media.
The franchise has faced criticism in the past for its lack of diversity, particularly in its overwhelmingly white participants. However, recent years have seen progress with the casting of the first Black lead, Rachel Lindsay, in 2017, and the first Black “Bachelor,” Matt James, in 2020.
Despite these strides, the show has been accused of perpetuating racist stereotypes, especially in its portrayal of Asian contestants. Journalist Li Zhou noted that Asian contestants are often eliminated early or reduced to stereotypes on the show.
In a positive turn, the most recent season featured prominent arcs for women of Asian descent, including Tran, Lea Cayanan, and Rachel Nance. Nance, who is Black and Filipino, revealed that she received hateful messages on social media during the season, highlighting the challenges faced by contestants of color.
ABC has made few changes to the “Bachelor” formula over the years but has experimented with spinoffs like “The Golden Bachelor,” which featured older contestants. The season, featuring septuagenarian Gerry Turner, garnered high ratings and ended with Turner marrying his final pick, Theresa Nist.
As the franchise continues to evolve and diversify, Tran’s casting as the first Asian American lead marks a significant milestone in its history, offering hope for increased representation and inclusivity in the future.
