Rachel Lindsay Says It's 'About Time' for Jenn Tran's Historic Bachelorette Casting, Hopes She's Protected 'at All Costs'

Mar. 15, 2025

(L-R) Rachel Lindsay and Jenn Trann.Photo:Trae Patton/NBC via Getty; Disney/John FleenorRachel Lindsayis celebrating the casting of the first Asian-American Bachelorette,Jenn Tran!After Tran, 25, wasnamed the leadfor the upcoming season ofThe Bacheloretteon Monday, Lindsay toldTMZ: “Love is inclusive, and it’s about time that reflected Asian representation.”“I am so excited for the young girls and women who will see themselves on screen be adored and revered,” the formerExtracorrespondent, 38, continued. “They are all deserving of this moment and love.”Rachel Lindsay.Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyThe former reality star — who became the show’s first Black Bachelorette in 2017 — added, “I deeply hope the franchise not only protects Jenn at all costs but allows her to fully represent herself as an Asian woman.”As for Tran, she reacted to her historic casting during Monday’sAfter the Final Rosespecial, saying, “I feel so so grateful and so honored to be the first Asian bachelorette in this franchise.“Jenn Tran on “The Bachelor”.ABCTran — who vied forJoey Graziadei’s heart on season 28 ofThe Bachelor— noted how she failed to see proper Asian representation growing up and felt “boxed in” because she never imagined she could be a leading lady.She continued, “And now, to be here today saying in this position being like I am going to lead my own love story, I am going to be the main character in my story — like I just can’t help but think of how many people I’m inspiring.“From left: Rachel Lindsay and Chris Harrison.Noel Vasquez/Getty; ohn Fleenor via GettyTran’s casting comes three years after Lindsay called out then-hostChris Harrisonfor defending another former cast member’s past racist behavior, which led to his departure from theBachelorfranchise in June 2021.Lindsay spoke out against Harrison after he seemingly defended contestantRachael Kirkconnellduring a14-minute, unedited interview with Lindsay onExtrafor past social media posts in which she dressed in Native American attire as a costume and attended an Antebellum plantation-themed ball. She laterapologized, admitting that her “ignorance was racist” and that she “was wrong.“In a statement at the time, Harrison also apologized for"wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The Bacheloretteis set to premiere later this year on ABC.

(L-R) Rachel Lindsay and Jenn Trann.Photo:Trae Patton/NBC via Getty; Disney/John Fleenor

Trae Patton/NBC via Getty; Disney/John Fleenor

Rachel Lindsayis celebrating the casting of the first Asian-American Bachelorette,Jenn Tran!After Tran, 25, wasnamed the leadfor the upcoming season ofThe Bacheloretteon Monday, Lindsay toldTMZ: “Love is inclusive, and it’s about time that reflected Asian representation.”“I am so excited for the young girls and women who will see themselves on screen be adored and revered,” the formerExtracorrespondent, 38, continued. “They are all deserving of this moment and love.”Rachel Lindsay.Alberto E. Rodriguez/GettyThe former reality star — who became the show’s first Black Bachelorette in 2017 — added, “I deeply hope the franchise not only protects Jenn at all costs but allows her to fully represent herself as an Asian woman.”As for Tran, she reacted to her historic casting during Monday’sAfter the Final Rosespecial, saying, “I feel so so grateful and so honored to be the first Asian bachelorette in this franchise.“Jenn Tran on “The Bachelor”.ABCTran — who vied forJoey Graziadei’s heart on season 28 ofThe Bachelor— noted how she failed to see proper Asian representation growing up and felt “boxed in” because she never imagined she could be a leading lady.She continued, “And now, to be here today saying in this position being like I am going to lead my own love story, I am going to be the main character in my story — like I just can’t help but think of how many people I’m inspiring.“From left: Rachel Lindsay and Chris Harrison.Noel Vasquez/Getty; ohn Fleenor via GettyTran’s casting comes three years after Lindsay called out then-hostChris Harrisonfor defending another former cast member’s past racist behavior, which led to his departure from theBachelorfranchise in June 2021.Lindsay spoke out against Harrison after he seemingly defended contestantRachael Kirkconnellduring a14-minute, unedited interview with Lindsay onExtrafor past social media posts in which she dressed in Native American attire as a costume and attended an Antebellum plantation-themed ball. She laterapologized, admitting that her “ignorance was racist” and that she “was wrong.“In a statement at the time, Harrison also apologized for"wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism.“Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.The Bacheloretteis set to premiere later this year on ABC.

Rachel Lindsayis celebrating the casting of the first Asian-American Bachelorette,Jenn Tran!

After Tran, 25, wasnamed the leadfor the upcoming season ofThe Bacheloretteon Monday, Lindsay toldTMZ: “Love is inclusive, and it’s about time that reflected Asian representation.”

“I am so excited for the young girls and women who will see themselves on screen be adored and revered,” the formerExtracorrespondent, 38, continued. “They are all deserving of this moment and love.”

Rachel Lindsay.Alberto E. Rodriguez/Getty

The former reality star — who became the show’s first Black Bachelorette in 2017 — added, “I deeply hope the franchise not only protects Jenn at all costs but allows her to fully represent herself as an Asian woman.”

As for Tran, she reacted to her historic casting during Monday’sAfter the Final Rosespecial, saying, “I feel so so grateful and so honored to be the first Asian bachelorette in this franchise.”

Jenn Tran on “The Bachelor”.ABC

ABC

Tran — who vied forJoey Graziadei’s heart on season 28 ofThe Bachelor— noted how she failed to see proper Asian representation growing up and felt “boxed in” because she never imagined she could be a leading lady.

She continued, “And now, to be here today saying in this position being like I am going to lead my own love story, I am going to be the main character in my story — like I just can’t help but think of how many people I’m inspiring.”

From left: Rachel Lindsay and Chris Harrison.Noel Vasquez/Getty; ohn Fleenor via Getty

Tran’s casting comes three years after Lindsay called out then-hostChris Harrisonfor defending another former cast member’s past racist behavior, which led to his departure from theBachelorfranchise in June 2021.

Lindsay spoke out against Harrison after he seemingly defended contestantRachael Kirkconnellduring a14-minute, unedited interview with Lindsay onExtrafor past social media posts in which she dressed in Native American attire as a costume and attended an Antebellum plantation-themed ball. She laterapologized, admitting that her “ignorance was racist” and that she “was wrong.”

In a statement at the time, Harrison also apologized for"wrongly speaking in a manner that perpetuates racism.”

Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.

The Bacheloretteis set to premiere later this year on ABC.

source: people.com