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The finale ofThe Bachelorettethis season was supposed to be a celebration of love, but instead, it left a sour taste in the mouths of many viewers.
ABChas come under heavy fire for what fans are calling the “cruel” and “inhumane” treatment of Jenn Tran, the show’s first Asian-American lead, during the explosive three-hour season finale.
Keep reading for more details!
A Heartbreaking Proposal Gone Wrong
Jenn Tran, a 26-year-old physician assistant student from Hillsdale, New Jersey, entered the finale with high hopes and a heart full of love.
After weeks of emotional rollercoasters, she proposed to Devin Strader, a 28-year-old freight company owner from Houston, while in the idyllic setting of Hawaii.
What should have been the beginning of a beautiful chapter quickly turned into a nightmare.
Shortly after the show wrapped, Strader ended theengagementover the phone and ghosted Jenn for months.
But the heartbreak didn’t end there. During the live finale, Jenn was forced to sit beside Strader and relive the painful proposal in front of millions, breaking down into uncontrollable sobs as the scene played out.
Public Outcry: Fans Call Out ABC
The decision to make Jenn watch the proposal sparked immediate outrage.
Fans took to social media to express their disgust with how ABC handled the situation, calling it an act of humiliation.
TikTok user Layla Taremi voiced her anger, saying, “I am sick to my stomach! Jenn should not have been put through all that – how dare you ABC.”
Another Fan said on Instagram, “I’m DISGUSTED with the Bachelor franchise & will NOT be watching anymore. Give her an apology!”
Similarly one said, “It was really trashy of ABC to make Jenn sit next to Devin and watch the proposal video she didn’t want to see. And then to show her crying her eyes out while she watched it. You guys could have let her family come sit with her, sent Devin off or even let her leave for it. That was dirty. 👎”
“Shame on the Bachelorette franchise for tonight! Saying you weren’t showing the engagement until she okayed it, and then not even listening to her when she very clearly didn’t want to. The worst part was watching her crumble into a million pieces being forced to watch it live. Very bad move,” ranted one.
A Disrespectful Ending to a Promising Relationship
The finale was meant to be a grand conclusion to Jenn’s journey, but instead, it felt like a tragic ending.
Jenn revealed on live television that Strader’s behavior changed drastically once they left Hawaii.
Despite telling Jenn he loved her during the show, Strader began to pull away, eventually breaking off the engagement with a phone call.
Jenn described the moment as devastating, saying, “He had basically said that he didn’t love me anymore and didn’t feel the same way.”
What made the situation even more painful for Jenn was the fact that Strader had befriended formerBacheloralum Maria Georgas shortly after theirbreakup.
He was also seen partying with co-star Jeremy Simon, despite supposedly being heartbroken.
Jenn confronted Strader about this during the finale, expressing how his actions invalidated their entire relationship.
Adding to the controversy was the role of host Jesse Palmer, who has been criticized for his handling of the situation.
When Jenn hesitated to watch the proposal, asking, “Do I have any choice?” Palmer proceeded anyway, prompting Jenn to collapse into tears.
His decision to push forward with the painful segment has been seen as insensitive, fueling the backlash against ABC.
Even Good Morning America host Lara Spencer found the finale difficult to watch.
During Jenn’s first interview since the controversy, which aired the following morning, Spencer acknowledged the emotional toll the finale took on Jenn and ended the segment by mouthing, “you did great” to thevisibly shakenBachelorette.
Fans Vow to Boycott
The fallout from the finale has been swift and intense. Many fans are now vowing to boycottThe Bachelorettefranchise entirely, expressing their disappointment in how Jenn was treated.
The controversy has sparked broader conversations about the treatment of contestants on reality TV, particularlywomenof color.
For Jenn, the experience has been nothing short of traumatic. While she stated that she had no regrets about proposing to Strader, she also made it clear that he was no longer the man she fell for.
Despite the heartbreak, Jenn is now looking to the future, with ABC announcing that she will appear on the next season ofDancing With the Stars.
Category
Details
Contestant Name
Jenn Tran
Age
26
Notable Appearance
Joey Graziadei’s season ofThe Bachelor
Historical Moment
First Asian-American lead onThe Bachelorette
Season
21st season ofThe Bachelorette
Show Premiere
Summer 2024 on ABC and Hulu
Profession
Physician Assistant Student
Residence
Miami, Florida
Hobbies
Reading, paddleboarding, traveling
Personality
Sweet, compassionate, dedicated to helping others
Languages
Bilingual (English and Vietnamese)
About Jenn
The Aftermath
As the dust settles on one of the most controversial finales inBachelorettehistory, the question remains: What does this mean for the future of the franchise?
Will ABC learn from this backlash and treat its leads with more care and respect? Or will this be just another chapter in the ongoing saga of reality TV drama?
For now, one thing is certain—Jenn Tran’s journey may have ended in heartbreak, but her story has sparked a conversation that won’t be easily forgotten.
Fans and critics alike are calling for a change, not just for future leads but for the entire structure of reality television.
Whether ABC will heed these calls remains to be seen, but the network is undoubtedly feeling the pressure as they move forward.
Conclusion
ABC faced major backlash for its handling ofThe Bachelorettefinale, particularly for forcing Jenn Tran to relive her painful proposal.
Fans accused the network of being “cruel” and “inhumane,” sparking calls to boycott the show.
Jenn Tran, the first Asian-American lead, faced additional scrutiny, with many feeling she was disrespected and overlooked.
Host Jesse Palmer was criticized for pushing Jenn to watch the proposal despite her emotional distress.
The controversy raised broader concerns about the treatment of reality TV contestants, especially women of color.
Despite the heartbreak, Jenn will appear onDancing With the Stars, signaling her resilience.
The fallout has left viewers questioning ABC’s future approach to contestant care on reality TV.
Last Updated: September 23, 2024
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