ABC’s dating show franchise, “The Bachelor” and “The Bachelorette,” is making history with its latest casting choice. After 28 seasons of “The Bachelor” and 20 seasons of its spinoff, the show has finally cast its first Asian American lead.
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. Her casting was announced during the season finale of “The Bachelor,” where she was a contestant.
In an emotional moment on the show, Ms. Tran, who is Vietnamese American, expressed her gratitude and honor at being chosen as the first Asian ‘Bachelorette.’ She hopes to find love on the show and provide representation for Asian Americans who have been underrepresented in the media.
The franchise has faced criticism in the past for its lack of diversity, with the first Black lead not being cast until 2017. The show has also been accused of perpetuating racist stereotypes, especially in episodes filmed abroad.
However, recent seasons have shown some progress in representation, with women of Asian descent like Ms. Tran, Lea Cayanan, and Rachel Nance having prominent roles on the show. Despite this progress, contestants like Ms. Nance have faced backlash and racism on social media.
ABC has made some changes to the franchise, including spinoffs like “The Golden Bachelor,” which featured older contestants and was a hit with viewers. The show’s success with diverse casting choices like Jenn Tran shows a step in the right direction for the long-running franchise.
