It turns out the couple secretly tied the knot one year ago.
The “Industry” actress, full name Myha’la Herrold, shared the news on Instagram as they celebrated their one-year wedding anniversary.
“One year of marriage ♾️💍,” she wrote. “Sos if this is how you’re finding out, promise we didn’t tell most everyone 😗.”
She shared a serious of photos from their big day and added, “Incredible photography by our dear friend @quillemons Speedy officiating by @jojoplutz Endlessly grateful to our friends and family for helping make this day so very magical.”
Myha’la chose a romantic ivory halter neck dress for the occasion, while Armando wore a black suit with a white shirt.
In one sweet photo, the couple cuddles with cats.
Myha’la and Armando met over Instagram DM in 2020, and finally met in person in 2021. They announced their engagement in 2024.
“I sometimes question, have I made any progress?” Taylor Frankie Paul, who in just three short years leapt from being the leader of #MomTok on Hulu’s The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives to the single lead of ABC’s The Bachelorette, asks Vanity Fair. “We’re humans, we make mistakes; and I feel like I do [make] a lot of different mistakes. That’s what life’s about—it’s trial and error. I’m learning different lessons now in this phase of my life.”
Paul’s latest chapter plays out on season three of the wildly popular Secret Lives of Mormon Wives, which reveals that while promoting the show’s second season this spring, Paul privately suffered personal betrayal involving on-again, off-again ex-boyfriend Dakota Mortensen, father of her one-year-old son, Ever True, and a close family friend. When I reach Paul, she’s in the backseat of a moving vehicle, being whisked from one mystery location to another for her turn on The Bachelorette. Paul can’t technically disclose that she’s not near home, but the palm trees peeking through the car’s back windows confirm: we’re not in Utah anymore.
Since 2022, when Paul, now 31, revealed she was divorcing husband Tate (father of Paul’s daughter Indy and son Ocean, who do not appear on Mormon Wives), after she engaged in “soft swinging” (some heavy petting and emotional affairs, but no “full-on” sex) within their married friend group, she has been filming her life at a near-continuous pace.
Before sending shockwaves through Utah’s #MomTok community, Paul already shared near-daily snippets of her more buttoned-up Mormon life with what eventually grew to 1.8 million Instagram and 5.8 million TikTok followers. When the first season of Secret Lives of Mormon Wives premiered last September, it launched the eight MomTokers, led by the headline-making Paul, to something approaching Housewives-level fame.
“Sorry if I sound like I’m losing my voice, we’re getting over a little cold,” Paul rasps. The “we” another reminder that as the single mother of three who blew up her life, then made a reality show about it, is far from an obvious pick for ABC’s increasingly staid reality dating series—but more on that adventure later.
Taylor Frankie Paul (center) catches up with her fellow #MomTok members Miranda McWhorter, Mikayla Matthews, and Mayci Neeley during Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season three.Fred Hayes
“Take a breath and go ahead,” Robert Galinsky says, eyeing his student from across a Zoom screen. Dylan, a 45-year-old from Phoenix, Arizona, dressed in a light blue button-down, exhales and begins to explain for the third time why he wants to search for true love on the Netflix reality-dating series Love Is Blind.
Dylan says he has prioritized his real estate career over romance, and dating apps have failed to produce lasting love. But when he talks about building a connection sight unseen, or “from the inside out,” as he puts it, Galinsky stops him. “That’s killer—we want to save that phrase,” he says, advising Dylan to shave his three-minute explanation down to a sound-bite-worthy chunk. After all, reality TV narratives are built by producers and editors (he cleverly refers to them as “preditors”) who favor pithy catchphrases.
Dylan has only made it past the first round of Love Is Blind casting so far, but is already in his third session of 10 with Galinsky, a self-described “presentation coach” who has guided hopeful clients to spots on shows, ranging from Project Runway to Survivor, since 2007. That was when Argentinian dog groomer Jorge Bendersky became the first reality TV hopeful to contact Galinsky, who also coaches TEDx presenters, corporate executives, and students at The Juilliard School (he’s currently advising jazz musicians on how to introduce the historical context of their music before a performance). With Galinsky’s guidance, Bendersky became a top-three finalist on the short-lived Animal Planet series Groomer Has It, and the New York Reality TV School was born.
Like many of those who have sought Galinsky’s services, ranging from Millionaire Matchmaker and Bad Girls Club alum to Chelsea Clinton and 50 Cent, Dylan wants to put his best foot forward onscreen. Think of it as hiring a private tutor before the SAT—with the knowledge that millions of eyeballs will be watching your exam. (The cost of Galinsky’s one-on-one services for reality TV coaching begins at roughly $300 per session, with rates increasing for more specific training once a client is cast on their desired show.) Galinsky, who has a background in acting, treats reality TV as improvisational theater. During the session that Dylan has allowed me to observe (provided I omit his last name), Galinsky quizzes his client on dating deal-breakers, urging him to use the stating of any potential red flags as an opportunity to accentuate his own strengths. What if, as Galinsky posits, a suitor is turned off by someone who is rude to waitstaff, for instance? Dylan immediately discusses his time as a bartender in college. Galinsky smiles approvingly; in one answer, Dylan has both reassured his future wife and revealed a personal detail that will bolster his overall storyline.
“Fakes are the first ones kicked out of the house and voted off the island,” Galinsky says. “So if you know thyself, you’re going to be that much more powerful….You have to have an immense amount of self-awareness to be on these shows, to understand how you’re not going to let someone bulldoze you…so that you become the funniest, most pathetic meme that’s out there.” To get a better sense of how he can best orient a client toward reality TV stardom, Galinsky asks them to provide their origin, scar, and aspiration: where they’re from, what shaped them, and their postshow hopes. “A girl [once] walked in and said, ‘I want to be able to live in the Real World house and drink everybody under the table,’” he recalls. “After two sessions she said, ‘I’m quitting the class because I realize now all I really wanted to do was say “fuck you” to my dad by getting drunk in front of everyone.’”
Utah-based influencer Paul, 31, went viral in 2022 after revealing in a TikTok live that she and her then-husband, Tate Paul, had been “soft-swinging,” or engaging in limited sexual contact, with other Mormon couples. Paul also stars on the hit Hulu reality show “The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives,” which began in 2024 and focused on Paul and her influencer friends – dubbed “MomTok”– dealing with the fallout from her “soft-swinging” revelation.
ABC announced earlier this month that Paul will star on the next season of “The Bachelorette,” a choice which has rocked Bachelor Nation.
Though swinging has long-been, and continues to be, a taboo topic, it’s gotten more attention in recent years, as swingers and people who engage in other forms of non-monogamy have come forward to share their experiences on social media. Now that an open soft-swinger is set to star on a mainstream reality dating show like “The Bachelorette,” will society’s overall attitude toward swinging shift?
“Taylor Frankie Paul being cast as the new ‘Bachelorette’ will spark lots of introspection and conversations among viewers about the possibilities of non-monogamy,” says trauma and relationship therapist Jordan Pickell. “Taylor’s openness about her history of ‘soft-swinging’ may lead people to question their own assumptions about what monogamy or non-monogamy could look like in their own relationships.”
The new ‘Bachelorette’ has engaged in ‘soft-swinging.’ What is it?
“Soft-swinging” is a form of swinging that involves couples engaging in sexual acts with other couples but in a limited capacity, often with specific boundaries on which intimate behaviors are acceptable and which are not.
Paul was married to Tate Paul from 2016 to 2022, with the couple splitting after she said she “stepped out” of their soft-swinging agreement.
In an interview on Alex Cooper’s “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Paul, a mother of three, described becoming “The Bachelorette” as “surreal.”
“It has not hit me,” Paul said. “Like right now in this moment, I’m just thinking about it and it’s like, it’s not real. It’s not real. It’s not going to be until, I think, the limo’s pulling up.”
Where does ‘swinging’ stigma stand now?
Though still largely taboo in popular culture, open relationships have been having a moment, at least online. Polyamory, ethical non-monogamy and similar terms have become a bigger part of the cultural lexicon, with perhaps the most-known type of open relationship being swinging.
Swinging remains a controversial practice, and mental health experts previously told USA TODAY it’s not for everyone. Couples interested in swinging should know that the practice won’t fix a broken relationship, Allison Moon, author of “Getting It: A Guide to Hot, Healthy Hookups and Shame-Free Sex,” previously told USA TODAY.
“Spouse exchange” dates as far back as the 1940s through “key clubs,” as they were known at the time. In the ’50s, it was dubbed “wife-swapping.” It’s unclear how many partake in swinging today – some estimates say 2% or less – though one study from the North American Swing Club Alliance claims 15% of U.S. couples have tried it at least once in their married lives. Nowadays, people visit swinging clubs and otherwise connect online with fellow swingers.
Despite more conversation around swinging, stigma remains.
Paul’s casting as “The Bachelorette” might be a turning point, as social media also inspires more swingers out of secrecy.
“For so long swinging has been so underground,” Kiley George, a swinger who chronicles her journey on #SwingTok, a hashtag with more than 2.6 billion views on TikTok, previously told USA TODAY. “And it’s just been something that only like a friend of a friend knew about, and people would tell you through word of mouth.”
Pickell is unsure if Paul’s stint as “The Bachelorette” will make swinging more popular, though she does think it’s emblematic of a larger cultural shift.
“Whether people try on some form of non-monogamy, the larger cultural shift is toward more intentional relationships rather than following inherited social scripts,” Pickell says. “I think that’s a good thing.”
Contributing: David Oliver, Melina Khan and Bryan Alexander
That leads us to the shrewd bit of cross-pollination happening for ABC and Hulu, owned by the same parent company in Disney. After testing the waters with a Mormon Wives crossover on Hulu’s Vanderpump Villa earlier this year, then casting not one, but two cast members for Dancing With the Stars, the burgeoning reality television universe will triple dip by casting Paul as Bachelorette. The Secret Lives of Mormon Wives season three returns on November 13 and The Bachelorette is slated for a 2026 debut. This shores up the streaming-first Mormon Wives audience, helping to lure key viewership demographics back to the brand’s broadcast offerings. And that transfer can’t come soon enough: The premiere episode of Bachelor in Paradise season 10 earned roughly 3.2 million fewer viewers than season two of Mormon Wives, both of which aired this year.
Those in the know have long been calling for the outsourcing of leads. “They should take any single guy from Love Island season seven—he’s the next Bachelor,” Chad Kultgen, cohost of popular Bachelor podcast Game of Roses and coauthor of How to Win the Bachelor,told Vanity Fair earlier this year. “They have done the work for you, made these people superstars in the reality dating TV format. That’s how they should be thinking.”
The powers that be, including newly instated showrunner Scott Teti, former executive producer of Bravo’s Summer House, appear to have been listening. Before Taylor was announced as the next Bachelorette, fans originally believed the news would reveal the lead of The Bachelor’s landmark 30th season due to scheduling. Previously, The Bachelorette aired in the spring or summer, followed by Paradise, then The Bachelor in January. The franchise last cast a lead from outside of its pool of Instagrammable suitors for season 25 in Matt James, who became the first-ever Black Bachelor. Although, he was best known on social media as a close friend of The Bachelorette runner-up Tyler Cameron.
Even the manner in which Taylor was announced feels fresh. This is the first time a lead hasn’t been announced on an ABC-affiliated platform like Good Morning America or an After the Final Rose special. Cooper as conduit for such news feels like acknowledgment that a young female audience tunes into her podcast—and that the podcasting realm itself is key to sustaining The Bachelor’s relevance. Further proof: Former Bachelor Nick Viall, host of the popular Viall Files podcast, hosted the season two Mormon Wives reunion. And the last Paradise reunion was not filmed on an ABC soundstage, but recorded for the official Bachelor Happy Hour podcast.
There will be inevitable growing pains with such a shake-up—the ABC audience has previously been less forgiving of unapologetic women—and Paul has already said that she’ll require any husband of hers to relocate to Utah. (Hope he has his Swig order down!) But this only further stokes the intrigue that comes with casting Paul—who is well-versed in making must-see TV. “The more open you are, the more backlash you can get,” she told VF in May, “but also the more relatable you are.”
At the time when Bachelor Nation may have needed him the most, a local contestant emerged as a new franchise darling during “The Golden Bachelorette” series premiere.
Charles L., a 66-year-old retired data analyst from Malvern, made his debut during Wednesday’s episode of the dating show spinoff. The father of two connected with lead Joan Vassos, 61, as they shared tea and jokes, and he earned fans on social media for his sweet demeanor and his pure awe of the Bachelor Mansion set. Plus, he received a rose, so fans can continue following his journey for love.
The episode was a tearjerker from the start, as Vassos explained how she lost her husband to pancreatic cancer after 33 years together. Many of her 24 suitors also shared tragic tales of losing their own partners, including Charles — whose last name has not been released by ABC and whose Bachelorette bio previously stated he was from Philadelphia. He said six years ago he lost his wife, who he described as his “first and only love.” Charles has been lonely ever since, and his daughters encouraged him to try to find love again.
“I hope that Joan will know that I am very honest, nice, humorous, and if I can brag to say, pretty handsome,” he told cameras.
That humor was on full display when he stepped out of the limo for the first time to greet Vassos, and said, “I’m 66 years old, but I look like 36.”
The first nights of filming in the Bachelor franchise can often take all night, with rose ceremonies happening as the sun comes up. And much to fans’ delight, Charles seemed to pass the time by walking around the Bachelor Mansion, where the contestants reside for the first days of their journey, and exclaiming in awe at the opulent abode.
“It’s real nice,” Charles said, admiring the Le Creuset pots and other kitchen appliances in the mansion. “Oh, boy! They have a humongous refrigerator.”
Charles also had an early camaraderie with his fellow contestants and showed off his tight family ties when one of his daughters made him a video wishing him luck on his journey. Charles also shared a romantic cup of tea with Vassos, and she reciprocated by giving him a rose during the ceremony, while six others were sent home. Charles further endeared himself to Bachelor Nation with his humility during the rose ceremony as he appeared to mouth a surprised “Me?” when Vassos called his name. Mark Anderson, the future father-in-law of “Bachelor” star Joey Graziadei, also nabbed a rose.
Charles’ first night earned him plenty of fans, who posted on social media that Charles is “precious” and the “cutest man.” They also called for him to appear on a future “Golden” edition of the “Bachelor in Paradise” spinoff and called for him to meet “Golden Bachelor” fan favorites, like Delco’s Susan Noles. Here’s what Charles’ new fan club was saying on X, formerly Twitter:
Charles joins the ranks of recent Pennsylvania-based Bachelor franchise contestants who made a splash on night one. Brett Harris, of Lancaster County, was eliminated in the premiere of Jenn Tran’s season, but his humor earned him fans online and a potential ticket to the next season of “Bachelor in Paradise.”
The levity brought on by the wholesome “Golden Bachelorette” premiere — which even featured a group pickleball match — was much-needed by Bachelor Nation, who have been watching the nasty fallout of “The Bachelorette” season, which ended earlier this month with a contentious breakup between Tran and her final rose recipient, Devin Strader. Subsequently, it came out that Strader had been arrested in 2017 on accusations that he burglarized his ex-girlfriend’s home and also had a restraining order against him, leading to questions about how he made it through the casting process.
“The Golden Bachelorette” airs Wednesdays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Here’s what’s coming up this season:
NEW YORK — We’re back in Hawaii for the dramatic conclusion to Jenn’s journey, and was it ever. We picked up with Jenn meeting up with her family. She was hoping they could help provide some clarity on which of the remaining men, Marcus or Devin, was right for her.
Jenn’s brother, friend Nicole, aunt, and mother were in Hawaii to meet her final two suitors. She admitted to her family that she said I love you to both, but only Devin has said it back so far. Jenn said at this point, her feelings towards the men are pretty equal.
Jenn’s Family Meets Devin
Devin brought gifts for everyone, he looked like Santa Claus with all of the bags he had. Devin told them that Jenn lights up whenever she talks about them. He added that he grew up with a strong, single mother as well. Jenn said to them that that’s how they really started to connect.
Devin told Jenn’s mom and aunt that he never dated an Asian girl but he loves it, loves Jenn, and that it’s not about ethnicity for him. He was quick to tell them that he loves Jenn and that he has zero doubts about her. Jenn’s mother thanked Devin for loving Jenn. It was so sweet! He really drove the point home that he wants to be her rock and would find that responsibility to be “a blessing.” He said that it would kill him to not be the one. He asked for their blessing, and they said that they would need more time because in their culture they take that time.
Jenn’s mom really pressed her on why she loves Devin. Jenn said that Devin unwaveringly loves her and wants to know all of her parts. Her mother was concerned that Devin didn’t know much about Vietnamese culture. Jenn said that Devin wants their future kids to know their culture and learn to speak Vietnamese. Her mother then told her that she needed more time to get to know Devin. Jenn tried to say that she shouldn’t worry because she would never marry someone she didn’t want to marry.
Live Show – Jenn’s Guys in the Audience
Dylan Jeremy and Jonathon were in the audience – and they told Jesse Palmer that they were there to give support to Jenn. What could be happening?
Jenn’s Brother and Devin
Jenn and her brother talked about her and Devin’s similar past with a single mom and strained relationship with their dads. Her brother said that he would support whatever she wanted to do. James said he could see how happy Jenn was with Devin. But – he wanted to grill him!
Devin told James that he was confident in their relationship. He said he never has to change anything about himself with Jenn and he’s never had that before. Devin admitted that he’s worried about the other guy that’s still involved. Devin also asked for her brother’s blessing and got shot down again. “I’m definitely not going to give my blessing now,” he said. James added he wanted to speak to the second guy first. He said it wasn’t because he didn’t like Devin, but he wanted to make sure he was doing the right thing for his sister.
Jenn told Devin to hold on and that she’d “never felt like this before and I love you.” Except with Marcus maybe, who she said it to first. “Don’t get in your head, okay?” Jenn said to Devin as he got in the SUV and drove away.
Marcus Meets Jenn’s Family
Here we go! Marcus’ turn! I’m so nervous for him. James is worried that Jenn is falling yet again for another emotionally unavailable man. Marcus brought just one gift bag. He admitted that he was a bit nervous. Marcus shared how he and his siblings were put in foster care. He had two older sisters who were adopted out, and then he and his sister Gabby got adopted out eventually to another. Wow, to be split up like that is so sad. Marcus also shared his experience of nearly losing his life while serving his country.
James Speaks with Marcus
James shared his appreciation with Marcus for sharing so much with his family about his past and how he knew that it wasn’t easy for him. Marcus said he wouldn’t do it unless he really cared for Jenn. He also admitted that he underestimated how important emotions are, especially because he had to block them while serving. Marcus said that Jenn makes him believe that taking the next step is possible. James thought that Marcus played “Ring Around the Rosy” with his questions.
James Speaks with Jenn’s Mom and Aunt
Marcus said that he believes that he can fall in love with Jenn, but he’s not there yet. He said he’s missing the feeling of “certainty.” He started to cry as he spoke about it. He really wants to be that guy for her, but it seems like he’s under too much pressure. This seems to be way too fast for him. “The feelings I have for your daughter are real,” Marcus said. Jenn’s mom is worried that Marcus could hurt her in the long run.
Jenn told her brother that she feels Marcus is close to being in love with her, but he’s not there yet. She blames his past trauma. James told her that Marcus fits the mold of men from her past who are emotionally unavailable. “Marcus is a really good man who has good intentions, but it is a little concerning,” Jenn said. She hopes she knows where his heart is at. “How long are you willing to wait?” James asked Jenn. “I’m not sure,” she said. James cried as he told his sister how he just wanted the best for her.
Jenn Confronts Marcus About His Feelings
Jenn said her family said some things that were really hard to hear. She asked him, “How do you see this ending for us?” Marcus said that he thought they made progress that day. “Where are you at with your feelings?” Jenn pressed. “Are you not certain about me?” Marcus said he doesn’t think it’s her, he thinks it’s the pressure to build the family that he never had. He hoped that him saying he’s getting there and his feelings are still growing could be “enough.” Jenn realizes she shouldn’t still feel confused.
Live Show
James was emotional again. Jesse asked him how he was feeling. “As you can tell, I’m not too happy.” Yikes!
Jenn’s Last Date with Devin
Jenn met up with Devin on the beach where they walked over to two spiritual guides. They did a spiritual ceremony that is supposed to happen before any life event. Jenn said she wanted to put any concerns in the past and this was a chance for them to have a fresh future. They got lava rocks that represented their fears and shared how they felt with each other. Jenn wants someone who won’t leave when things get tough. They threw their rocks into the water to release their fears. Devin and Jenn dipped their bodies into the ocean as a spiritual rebirth of sorts. They shared a bunch of kisses on the beach as Devin remained worried that he wouldn’t be the guy in the end.
In the evening, they met up with a passionate kiss. Devin said that he wants Jenn to “feel the weight of his soul.” That’s intense. Devin and Jenn talked about throwing the stones in the ocean and how it made them not afraid to take the next step together. Devin said that he trusts her opinions and decisions. That was something that really made Jenn feel seen. Santa Claus pulled out another gift and it was from the shaman on their New Zealand date. He told him not to give it out until he knew whom he wanted to give it to for the rest of his life. Jenn loved the level of commitment that it showed. “Devin keeps blowing me away!” Jenn said. “You can continue to be loved like that, but you just have to love me back,” Devin said. “I do love you,” Jenn said. She said she now knows what unconditional love is.
Jenn Has Doubts
Jenn woke up frustrated and confused after her amazing date with Devin. She doesn’t understand how Marcus can’t feel as strongly about her as she does with him. “His uncertainty is making me uncertain,” Jenn admitted.
Jesse Talks with Marcus
Jesse wanted to see how everything was going and if he had made progress with falling in love. Marcus said to Jesse that he told Jenn’s family the truth, he has struggled with his feelings. Marcus said that every time he spends time with Jenn their connection grows. Jesse’s like, so do you love her or are you just afraid to tell her? Marcus said he’s just not certain. Even Jesse seems confused. “If you do in fact love this woman, you have to tell her. Or, I’m afraid you are going to lose her if you don’t,” Jesse said.
Jenn Talks to Marcus
She doesn’t want to go on the date until she talks to Marcus. Jenn had to wait an uncomfortably long time for Marcus to answer his hotel room door when she knocked. She asks him to talk, and that never seems like a good thing and he knows that. She wants to know if he would propose, does he just want to date her, does he even see her in his future? Marcus said he regretted not diving deeper into that topic. “I feel like I tried and you just didn’t want to,” Jenn said. “I don’t think that you were excited for the future.” Marcus said it’s not that he can’t picture it, it’s scary for him. “I’m struggling, for sure,” he said. Marcus said that he wants to keep trying and she makes him want to keep trying. He doesn’t understand why it’s hard for him. Tears rolled down his face as Jenn described how much time and feelings she invested into him when he couldn’t give it back.
“At the end of the day, I know that I love you, I want to be the kind of person that fights for it. Like I want to do this with you. I want to give it a try. I don’t want to give up on us,” Marcus said. That’s how he finally says he loves her. Does he? She’s very conflicted and confused. She has a pit in her stomach instead of feeling elated. Probably not a good sign. Jenn leaves the room, comes back eventually and Marcus admits that he’s afraid of losing her. “I did fall in love with you. It’s clear to me that you know what you want, and I think that’s why I’ve been asking myself some pretty hard questions,” he said. “I’m not giving you what you need.” “I opened my heart to you every second that I got,” Jenn said. She is sick of proving herself, she’s done waiting. “I’m just done,” Jenn said. Marcus then said that he is worried that he wouldn’t find someone like Jenn again. Jenn thanked him for being honest, but she knew that she didn’t want to feel like this anymore. Bye, Marcus!
Marcus in the Hot Seat
Marcus said it was tough to watch his breakup with Jenn back. He said after getting home he didn’t know if he had made the right decision or not. Was it his decision? I think that was all Jenn really… anyway, he said that he hates that he let her down. He didn’t want to be part of the problem of why she had ever felt unworthy of love. “The difficult truth is that I needed to get out of her way.”
Jenn and Marcus Talk Live
Jenn said that their relationship meant a lot to her and that she was glad that he went on this journey with her. He said he felt the same. Jenn said that she wanted to run toward her feelings with Devin and not run from them. She felt like they weren’t aligned with certain things after the fantasy suites. Jenn said that even if Marcus had said I love you sooner, it wouldn’t have worked out because it just wasn’t the right relationship. “My heart was in a different place and wanted something different,” Jenn said.
Decision Day
Jenn was fresh off her breakup with Marcus and although she loves Devin she said she was a bit confused about what she wanted to do. Devin was not confused at all. He met up with Neil Lane to pick out a beautiful engagement ring.
Jenn said that in order to fulfill herself she wants to choose herself. She’s not going to let Devin propose to her, she wants to propose to him! Wow! This is a Bachelor Nation first.
Jesse Interrupts the Proposal
Jesse says that we need to hear what happened since Hawaii from Jenn herself before they air the proposal. This is unprecedented!
Jenn in the Hot Seat
Jenn comes out and wipes away tears. She then started to sob. This is awful. They left Hawaii engaged, and she said she was very happy, but then he started to pull away from her. His promises of where they would live and be together just drifted away. Jenn said she felt like she was secondary to everything in his life and he didn’t even bring her around his family anymore.
They had a happy couple visit planned and instead of going he called her and broke off the engagement. He said he didn’t love her anymore, he felt like something was off and he regretted getting engaged. For the past month, she’s been trying to understand how he could switch his feelings up the way he did. She even told Devin that they could just date, but he said it wasn’t what he wanted anymore. Devin refused couple’s counseling.
How could he do this to her? I’m really disgusted at this situation. At the same time, he shouldn’t be in a relationship that he doesn’t want to be in, Jenn deserves better than that. Jesse then asked her if she was ready to see him. What? This guy is here? How? Dylan, Jeremy, and Jonathon have the look in their eyes of wanting to tear him apart.
Devin Talks to Jenn Live
Devin got a few claps and even a boo as he walked out. Jenn didn’t know where to start and said it wasn’t what she wanted and it wouldn’t be meaningful to her. She wanted to do it off-camera. Jenn asked why he ended their engagement on the phone and then started following Maria on Instagram. She asked if their relationship meant anything to him. He made a face and then said that he couldn’t excuse the Instagram follow, and that he failed her. “Everything I felt for you was real,” he said. He said he needed time and space to process his emotions, but then went clubbing with Jeremy. He said he was there for a work trip, but then went out with Jeremy. “Am I not allowed to live a life?” he said.
Jesse reigned it in, and asked what happened? When he left the show he had a lot of doubts and he admitted that he suppressed his feelings. Jenn asked why he allowed her to keep falling for him for 2 months after the show. Devin said he couldn’t really explain further. “I was regretfully late on letting you know,” Devin said. Jenn couldn’t believe he was posting memes about Sam. She said that every Monday night she was heartbroken watching the lies that he told her.
After a commercial break, Devin said he just wanted to focus on the breakup and not after the break. Devin said he had nothing to gain other than to make sure that she was ok. Devin said that he watches Jenn grow and flourish and he said that he fell short of her expectations in the real world. This isn’t him trying to make her feel bad, Devin said he does care, but he was contributing to her regression. She shouldn’t have to compromise what she wants for him, Devin added. Jenn could hardly look at him.
Watching the Proposal
Jesse said, “I know that your love story didn’t unfold the way that you thought or expected it would, I’m truly sorry.” He added, “You also showed us what a strong and powerful woman is.” Who loves Jesse? Everyone! But then, Jesse was like can we watch the proposal together? “Do I have a choice?” Jenn said. This broke my heart. I don’t even want to watch this proposal. The little box in the corner of Jenn sitting next to the man who broke her heart, sobbing, is unnecessary. This footage should be burned. It would have been beautiful if it was true. Jenn had this moment stolen from her. She deserves the best. I wish this could have worked out for her so badly.
Jesse said that he hoped in watching it she could feel empowered because she really did things her own way. I think it would have been more empowering if they had honored her wishes to not have to see it. Jenn said that the man on the screen doesn’t exist anymore, but she’s still the same woman that she is. Right on! Jenn said that she’s ready to fight for love and to find the man who can keep the promises he makes to her. Devin said that he fully believed those things. Then he said some things about falling short of expectations and I really don’t understand this breakup. The bottom line, he basically fell out of love with her in the real world. She told Devin that she hopes that he can find himself in his self-journey one day.
Jesse tried to reassure her that her great love is still out there. I would say so! Then to try to uplift us, they teased that Joan’s season is coming up and there’s a chance she could end up with Kelsey’s dad, who was also in the audience.
Sneak Peek of Joan’s Journey
Jesse made a bad joke about keeping his promises with a sneak peek of Joan’s season of “The Golden Bachelorette.” We got to see Kelsey come out of the limo to talk to Joan, and then introduce her dad to her! Mark is a silver fox! I loved him on Joey’s season and I’m so glad to see him get his moment in the sun and make a possible love connection. He’s incredible! “He’s cute! Thank you! You can just call me mom!” Joan said to Kelsey! Adorable!
Joan said that she went on some amazing dates and that she’s really excited for everyone to see her season! I can’t wait!
You can watch the very first “Golden Bachelorette” on Wednesday, September 18 on ABC.
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Warning: The Bachelorette Season 21 spoilers ahead. After news that they had split three months after the finale, Bachelor Nation fans had one question on their mind: Why did Jenn and Devin break up from The Bachelorette Season 21 and what happened to cause the end of their engagement?
Why did Jenn and Devin break up from The Bachelorette Season 21?
Reality Steve reported the day The Bachelorette Season 21 finale aired on ABC that Jenn and Devin had ended their engagement and broken up. According to Reality Steve, Devin was the one who broke up with Jenn and that their split occurred sometime between mid-August and September 2024. That meant that Jenn and Devin were together for only around three months after The Bachelorette Season 21 finale finished filming on May 16, 2024.
“The rumors that have been circulating for a couple weeks now are true. Devin has ended the engagement and broken up with Jenn,” Reality Steve wrote in an Instagram post at the time. “I do not know the circumstances surrounding it in terms of when it happened or the reasoning behind it. Guess we will find that out tonight. Curious to see the reasoning for the breakup since Devin has love bombed Jenn ever since hometowns and now couldn’t even make it to the ATFR with her still in a relationship. Should be an interesting night.”
Though Reality Steve couldn’t confirm the reason for Jenn and Devin’s breakup, Devin had been involved in a lot of behind-the-scenes drama even before his split with Jenn. Reality Steve reported in July 2024 that there was drama on night one of The Bachelorette Season 21 that was edited out of the show because it would “not sit well with a lot of the audience.” According to the blogger, the drama involved a game of “Truth or Dare,” in which Devin was asked to name a conspiracy theory he believed. He allegedly responded, “I believe 9/11 was an inside job.”
Reality Steve confirmed that Jenn was present when Devin gave his answer, but the scene wasn’t aired on The Bachelorette Season 21 most likely because Jenn picked Devin as her winner. Sam McKinney, a 27-year-old Contractor from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, who was sent home in Week 6 on Jenn’s Bachelorette season, also seemingly accused The Bachelorette producers of editing him unfairly while giving Devin a favorable portrayal in a since-deleted TikTok comment in July 2024. “Most felt like that and rightfully so. I even felt like that. I was incredibly disheartening to be portrayed in that fashion. Hopefully at the tell all the truth will come out,” Sam M. wrote in a since-deleted comment to fans questioning his behavior on The Bachelorette Season 21. He continued in another comment, “Oh and legally I’m not allowed to speak on it… and now I’m figuring out why.”
Many of Sam M.’s family members also defended him amid claims of The Bachelorette’s negative edit of him while seemingly accusing the show’s production of defending Devin. I’m ready for @bacheloretteabc to show allllll the context they’ve left out,” Sam M.’s relative, Olivia McKinney wrote, in a social media comment, according to TikTok account Zachary Reality.
“Crazy how they can cut out so much detail to make a person look shallow while making others look like a king,” another of Sam M.’s relatives, Seth McKinney, wrote. “He added in another comment, “crazy thing called producers and editing can make people see what they want not what actually happened.”
Susan McKinney, another of Sam M.’s relatives, also shared a Facebook post in which she accused The Bachelorette of trying to “destroy” Sam M.’s character. “There is nothing real about ‘reality’ tv. To destroy someone’s character and manipulate the truth through editing is wrong on so many levels. Isn’t it interesting that the first night favorite is now being made into the villain?” she wrote. “There are several spoilers out there for who she chooses in the end that you can Google for yourself. Sam is a good guy regardless of how he is betrayed and I will no longer sit idly by and not speak up. Hey The Bachelorette it’s called free speech. At least mine is honest which is more than they can say.”
Jeff McKinney, Sam M.’s father, also wrote on Facebook, “I choose my words wisely. I have sat idly by this week watching my son a complete wreck on how he was portrayed. Sam has (mostly) been the favorite with the first impression rose, etc. The spoiler was revealed and (in my opinion) the network had to paint Sam as this horrendous guy in order for Jenn not to look like a complete idiot.”
He continued, “Now I know why the network offers free counseling for 1 year after the show. I feel this episode was all fabricated with cut and paste sentences and scenes. Can’t change what he said and how he said it but they can change the scene, script and context and totally change the delivery. That’s the way I feel. Feel free to share this. #ISTANDWITHSAM.”
Who is Devin from The Bachelorette Season 21?
Devin Strader, is a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, who now lives in Houston, Texas. His Instagram handle is @devin.strader. According to his Linkedin, Devin is the owner of F1 Freight Consultants, a “full-scale, dedicated Truckload, and LTL service provider,” that launched in March 2023.
“As a dedicated consultant firm, F1 strives to deliver both the most cost effective solutions, as well as tackling transportation & logistics challenges throughout North America. F1 Freight Consultants, LLC handles thousands of shipments monthly with streamline efficiency, and have proven to be a single source solution for all transportation needs,” Devin’s Linkedin reads.
Before F1 Freight Consultants, Devin worked as a Vice President in Acquisitions at the transportation company,t Shark Logistics, from 2020 to 2023. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2019.
Read Devin’s official Bachelorette Season 21 biography and fun facts below:
“Devin is the full package and is so ready to meet his match. This business owner is 100% husband material and dreams of surprising his partner with romantic gestures throughout their relationship. Devin is extremely hardworking, passionate about his career, and proud of the business he’s built. When he’s not working, he loves running and spending time with his dog, Charlie — these two are a package deal. Devin is hoping his future wife is honest, kind, and embraces his big personality. He admits he’s a bit loud and loves to talk. Devin is truly here to find his person and hopefully return home with Jenn by his side.
Fun Facts:
● Devin ran a 200-mile relay race with his buddies.
● Devin loves eating shrimp tacos despite being allergic to shrimp.
● Devin’s mom is his hero.”
The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Stream it on Hulu.
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Warning: The Bachelorette Season 21 spoilers ahead. If the main thing was being the villain from Jenn’s Bachelorette season, Sam M. succeeded with flying colors. But where is he now after his dramatic elimination and explosive drama with Jenn and Devin?
Sam McKinney, a 27-year-old Contractor from Myrtle Beach, California, was one of 25 contestants on The Bachelorette Season 21 with Jenn Tran. He received the First Impression Rose (and first kiss of the season) and seemed to be the frontrunner to get Jenn’s Final Rose in the end. Public opinion started to sour on Sam M. later in the season when he started to feud with Devin Strader, a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, over Devin’s alleged lack of respect toward the other men in the cast.
Things went from bad to worse during Sam M.’s first One-on-One Date with Jenn in Auckland, New Zealand, which involved them bungee jumping from a skyscraper. During a confessional interview, Jenn criticized Sam M. for laughing at her fear and not consoling her more when she was scared of jumping. Though Jenn gave a date rose to Sam M. at the end of their One-on-One, their relationship only became worse the following week when Sam M. claimed he was in love with Jenn but couldn’t explain why. The back-and-forth led Jenn to send Sam M. home before the sixth Rose Ceremony.
Where’s Sam M. now after The Bachelorette Season 21?
Sam M. returned to The Bachelorette Season 21 for the “Men Tell All,” where he got into another back-and-forth with Jenn over his behavior during her season. “I feel very, very sorry for whoever you end up with,” Jenn said as Sam M. smirked at her. “This delusion you’re living in isn’t going to work for anybody.”
Before the “Men Tell All,” Sam M. was involved in a lot of off-screen drama about The Bachelorette Season 21. The drama started when a woman named Rayleigh shared a since-deleted TikTok the week of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere, claiming that she met Sam M. at a wedding in October 2023 and talked for six months.
She claimed in an interview with Reality Steve that, prior to going on The Bachelorette Season 21, Sam M. didn’t tell Rayleigh that he was applying for the show and she didn’t find out he had been cast until the day he left for filming. Reality Steve alsoreported that Sam M. sent Rayleigh a long note while on the plane forThe Bachelorette, explaining why he chose the opportunity over her. “Not going to read the whole thing, but it was basically him putting the onus on her,” Reality Steve wrote.
Rayleigh also alleged to Reality Steve that Sam M. planned with production to be eliminated by Week 6 so he could be home in time for his sister’s wedding. “Anything he says to Jen in six weeks is complete and total bullshit,” Reality Steve wrote. “He could never win. He wouldn’t logistically be allowed to win because he knew he was leaving. He knew he never had a chance to make it to the end of the show Because he had to be back to marry his sister and so did production. So when you watch Sam for the next five episodes, just keep that in mind Just know that anything he’s feeding Jen is total bullshit.”
As for his feelings toward Jenn after his elimination, Rayleigh also told Reality Steve that Sam M. called Jenn a “liar” once he returned from The Bachelorette Season 21 and that Jenn’s feelings were “all over the place” and her winner proved that.
WARNING: THE BACHELORETTE SEASON 21 SPOILERS. According to Reality Steve, Jenn’s winner for The Bachelorette Season 21 was Devin, who Sam M. feuded with throughout his time on the series. After Sam M.’s villain edit on The Bachelorette Season 21, he hinted at his drama with Jenn and The Bachelorette’s production team in a reposted by TikTok account ShesAllBach in July 2024. “Most felt like that and rightfully so. I even felt like that. I was incredibly disheartening to be portrayed in that fashion. Hopefully at the tell all the truth will come out,” he wrote in a since-deleted comment in response to fans questioning his behavior on The Bachelorette. He continued in another comment, “Oh and legally I’m not allowed to speak on it… and now I’m figuring out why.”
Sam M.’s, relative, Olivia McKinney, also accused The Bachelorette of not accurately representing what happened on Jenn’s season. “I’m ready for @bacheloretteabc to show allllll the context they’ve left out,” she wrote.
Olivia could be referring to a controversial moment involving Devin that Reality Steve claimed was cut out of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere. The site reported that, during a game of “Truth or Dare” on night one, Devin was asked to name a conspiracy theory he believed in, to which he allegedly responded, “I believe 9/11 was an inside job.”
The scene was cut out of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere, presumably because Devin is Jenn’s winner. Reality Steve also reported that the whole cast, including Jenn, heard Devin’s comment, and the moment was among the real reasons that most of the cast had an issue with him during filming.
Olivia wasn’t the only family member to defend Sam M. on social media, according to more comments reposted by TikTok account Zachary Reality. Another of Sam M.’s relatives, Seth McKinney, also hinted at favoritism toward Devin on The Bachelorette Season 21 in an Instagram comment. “Crazy how they can cut out so much detail to make a person look shallow while making others look like a king,” Seth wrote. “He added in another comment, “crazy thing called producers and editing can make people see what they want not what actually happened.”
Sam M.’s other relative, Hannah, also accused the producers of strategic editing on The Bachelorette Season 21. “Let’s see all the footage @bacheloretteabc…. I’m waiting,” she wrote. When a fan criticized Hannah for not being there during filming, she responded, “I’m sorry that your family doesn’t defend you like we do ours.”
Another of Sam M.’s relatives, Susan McKinney, also shared a Facebook post in which she accused The Bachelorette of trying to “destroy” Sam M.’s character. “There is nothing real about ‘reality’ tv. To destroy someone’s character and manipulate the truth through editing is wrong on so many levels. Isn’t it interesting that the first night favorite is now being made into the villain?” she wrote. “There are several spoilers out there for who she chooses in the end that you can Google for yourself. Sam is a good guy regardless of how he is betrayed and I will no longer sit idly by and not speak up. Hey The Bachelorette it’s called free speech. At least mine is honest which is more than they can say.”
Jeff McKinney, Sam M.’s father, wrote on Facebook, “I choose my words wisely. I have sat idly by this week watching my son a complete wreck on how he was portrayed. Sam has (mostly) been the favorite with the first impression rose, etc. The spoiler was revealed and (in my opinion) the network had to paint Sam as this horrendous guy in order for Jenn not to look like a complete idiot.”
He continued, “Now I know why the network offers free counseling for 1 year after the show. I feel this episode was all fabricated with cut and paste sentences and scenes. Can’t change what he said and how he said it but they can change the scene, script and context and totally change the delivery. That’s the way I feel. Feel free to share this. #ISTANDWITHSAM.”
The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Stream it on Hulu.
All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, StyleCaster may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
Warning: The Bachelorette Season 21 spoilers ahead. He went from fan favorite to villain, but is that the only reason Sam M. wasn’t chosen as the next Bachelor for Season 29? His behind-the-scenes drama on The Bachelorette Season 21 didn’t help.
Sam McKinney, a 27-year-old Contractor from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is one of 25 contestants on The Bachelorette Season 21 with Jenn Tran. He was an early fan favorite from the premiere after he received Jenn’s First Impress Rose—and got her first kiss—on night one. Things took a turn for the worse in Episode 2 when Sam M. started to feud with another of Jenn’s frontrunners, Devin Strader, a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas.
Fans continued to turn on Sam M. after his first One-on-One Date with Jenn in Week 4 when Jenn criticized Sam M. in her confessional interview for laughing at her and not comforting her more on the day part of their date, which involved bungee jumping from a skyscraper in Auckland, New Zealand. The same week as Sam M.’s elimination on The Bachelorette Season 21, ABC announced that Grant Ellis, a 30-year-old Day Trader from Newark, New Jersey, would be the next Bachelor for Season 29 to succeed Season 28’s Joey Graziadei. So why wasn’t Sam M. chosen? We break down the real reason he wasn’t picked—aside, of course, from the fact that Grant made the better impression on viewers and was the perfect choice.
Why Sam M. isn’t the next Bachelor
Jenn sent Sam M. home on The Bachelor Season 21 in Week 6 before Hometown Dates. Of the recent Bachelor and Bachelorette leads, several were eliminated before Hometown Dates including Season 15 Bachelorette Hannah Brown (who went home in seventh place on The Bachelor Season 23 with Colton Underwood) and, of course, Season 21 Bachelorette Jenn Tran (who went home in Week 7 on The Bachelor Season 28 with Joey Graziadei).
There have also been several Bachelors and Bachelorettes who went home way earlier than Sam on The Bachelorette Season 21, including Season 26 Bachelor Clayton Echard (who was eliminated in eighth place on The Bachelorette Season 18 with Michelle Young) and Season 17 Bachelorette Katie Thurston (who was eliminated in 10th place on The Bachelor Season 25 with Matt James.)
While Sam M.’s pre-Hometown Dates elimination didn’t put him out of the running to become the next Bachelor for Season 29, what could was his and his family’s outspokenness against The Bachelorette’s producers and editing, which made it unlikely for the franchise to cast him again for The Bachelor or Bachelor in Paradise.
Sam M.’s ex-girlfriend Rayleigh—who he dated before and after going on The Bachelorette Season 21—claimed to Reality Steve in July 2024 that Sam M. called Jenn a “liar” once he returned from filming The Bachelorette and that—SPOILER—Jenn’s winner, Devin, proved his negative opinion of her.
“The other thing was when he came back from filming, he told Rayleigh, he thought Jen was a liar. He said, Jen’s feelings are all over the place. And the person she picks at the end is going to prove that that’s what he told Rayleigh really told that to me,” Reality Steve wrote.
Sam M. also hinted at his drama with Jenn and The Bachelorette in a comment reposted by TikTok account ShesAllBach in July 2024, in which he criticized his edit on the show. “Most felt like that and rightfully so. I even felt like that. I was incredibly disheartening to be portrayed in that fashion. Hopefully at the tell all the truth will come out,” he wrote in a since-deleted comment in response to fans questioning his behavior on The Bachelorette. He continued in another comment, “Oh and legally I’m not allowed to speak on it… and now I’m figuring out why.”
Sam M.’s, relative, Olivia McKinney, also accused The Bachelorette of not accurately representing what happened on Jenn’s season. “I’m ready for @bacheloretteabc to show allllll the context they’ve left out,” she wrote.
Olivia could be referring to a controversial moment involving Devin that Reality Steve claimed was cut out of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere. The site reported that, during a game of “Truth or Dare” on night one, Devin was asked to name a conspiracy theory he believed in, to which he allegedly responded, “I believe 9/11 was an inside job.”
The scene was cut out of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere, presumably because Devin is Jenn’s winner. Reality Steve also reported that the whole cast, including Jenn, heard Devin’s comment, and the moment was among the real reasons that most of the cast had an issue with him during filming.
Olivia wasn’t the only family member to defend Sam M. on social media, according to more comments reposted by TikTok account Zachary Reality. Another of Sam M.’s relatives, Seth McKinney, also hinted at favoritism toward Devin on The Bachelorette Season 21 in an Instagram comment. “Crazy how they can cut out so much detail to make a person look shallow while making others look like a king,” Seth wrote. “He added in another comment, “crazy thing called producers and editing can make people see what they want not what actually happened.”
Sam M.’s other relative, Hannah, also accused the producers of strategic editing on The Bachelorette Season 21. “Let’s see all the footage @bacheloretteabc…. I’m waiting,” she wrote. When a fan criticized Hannah for not being there during filming, she responded, “I’m sorry that your family doesn’t defend you like we do ours.”
Another of Sam M.’s relatives, Susan McKinney, also shared a Facebook post in which she accused The Bachelorette of trying to “destroy” Sam M.’s character. “There is nothing real about ‘reality’ tv. To destroy someone’s character and manipulate the truth through editing is wrong on so many levels. Isn’t it interesting that the first night favorite is now being made into the villain?” she wrote. “There are several spoilers out there for who she chooses in the end that you can Google for yourself. Sam is a good guy regardless of how he is betrayed and I will no longer sit idly by and not speak up. Hey The Bachelorette it’s called free speech. At least mine is honest which is more than they can say.”
Jeff McKinney, Sam M.’s father, wrote on Facebook, “I choose my words wisely. I have sat idly by this week watching my son a complete wreck on how he was portrayed. Sam has (mostly) been the favorite with the first impression rose, etc. The spoiler was revealed and (in my opinion) the network had to paint Sam as this horrendous guy in order for Jenn not to look like a complete idiot.”
He continued, “Now I know why the network offers free counseling for 1 year after the show. I feel this episode was all fabricated with cut and paste sentences and scenes. Can’t change what he said and how he said it but they can change the scene, script and context and totally change the delivery. That’s the way I feel. Feel free to share this. #ISTANDWITHSAM.”
Still, while it’s rare for a Bachelor or a Bachelorette villain to become the next lead, it isn’t impossible. Nick Viall was the Bachelor for Season 21 after his villain edits on The Bachelorette Season 10 with Andi Dorfman and Season 11 with Kaitlyn Bristowe, where he was the runner-up on both. Season 15 Bachelorette Hannah Brown was also arguably a villain—or at least a controversial contestant—when she starred on The Bachelor Season 23 with Colton Underwood and feuded with her former pageant queen rival, Caelynn Miller-Keyes.
The Bachelor is also more likely than the Bachelorette to cast a non-fan-favorite as its lead, as seen with Season 27’s Zach Shallcross, Season 26’s Clayton Echard, Season 24’s Peter Weber, and Season 23’s Colton Underwood. So while Sam M.’s less-than-stellar likability may not have prevented him from becoming the next Bachelor for Season 29, his feud with the network might have.
The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Stream it on Hulu.
ABC has announced that Grant Ellis will be the next star of The Bachelor, the 29th man to assume the role since 2002. His selection was unveiled following the latest episode of Jenn Tran’s Bachelorette season, in which he was eliminated just shy of hometown dates.
The 30-year-old day trader from Houston, Texas was last seen as a suitor on the most recent season of The Bachelorette, where he became something of a fan favorite. In his last episode, Ellis confessed to falling in love with Tran, but made an emotional exit instead of securing a spot alongside the top four contestants: Marcus Shoberg, Jeremy Simon,Devin Strader, and Jonathon Johnson. During his one-on-one date in New Zealand this season, Ellis spoke about giving up his athletic career as a basketball player after a devastating injury. He also reflected on a difficult childhood impacted by his father’s substance abuse issues.
ABC describes Ellis in its official announcement as a “self-proclaimed mama’s boy” with an “infectious smile and unwavering positivity” that “instantly brightens every room he enters.” The next Bachelor is a former pro basketball player who also has affinity for “cheering on the Lakers, hitting strikes at the bowling alley, or belting out tunes at karaoke nights.” As the incoming lead, Ellis “hopes to find a partner who shares his values of loyalty, humor and a deep appreciation for life’s simple pleasures.”
Ellis becomes the second Black lead of The Bachelor, following the 2020 selection of Matt James, who is still dating his season’s winner Rachael Kirkconnell. His casting follows a string of white leads from the then-most recent Bachelorette season, including Joey Graziadei and Zach Shallcross, who are each still engaged to their final rose recipients, and Clayton Echard, who ended his season single before reconnecting with contestant Susie Evans for a nearly year-long relationship.
The next season of The Bachelor will air in 2025, which also brings the return of Bachelor in Paradise after a brief hiatus. After Tran’s season of The Bachelorette, the inaugural season of The Golden Bachelorette, led by former contestant Joan Vassos, airs on September 18.
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Ever since she was announced as Bachelor Nation’s next lead, fans have had one question on their mind: Who does Jenn end up with on The Bachelorette Season 21?! Her winner was revealed by Reality Steve, and it may come as a surprise.
Jenn Tran, a 26-year-old Physician’s Assistant Student from Hillsdale, New Jersey, is the lead of The Bachelorette Season 21. She was originally a contestant on The Bachelor Season 28 with Joey Graziadei, where she was sent home in Week 7. Jenn, who was announced as the Bachelorette at The Bachelor Season 28 “After the Final Rose” special in March 2024, is the first lead of Asian descent in The Bachelor or The Bachelorette’s 22-year history.
But her background isn’t the only first in Bachelor Nation history. Jenn, who is Vietnamese American, told E! News before Season 21’s premiere that her season ended with a “shocker.” “It’s definitely a shocker of an ending,” she said.. “It was a shocker to myself as well. You know, it’s not how I saw the journey ending when I first started it. So I’m really excited for everyone to watch that back.”
She continued, “I’m definitely happy with the outcome of the season. I think that the way the story played out is exactly the way it needed to play out.”
So what happened? While fans won’t know for sure how Jenn’s season ended until The Bachelorette Season 21 finale, there are some details on who Jenn ended up with (and whether she got engaged) courtesy of Reality Steve.
Who does Jenn end up with on The Bachelorette Season 21?
Jenn gave her final rose to Devin Strader, a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, in The Bachelorette Season 21 finale in Hawaii, which he accepted, according to Reality Steve. Jenn’s runner-up was Marcus Shoberg, a 31-year-old Army Ranger Veteran from Cloquet, Minnesota. Jenn wore white dress for her Final Rose Ceremony, which was filmed at a house on the coast of Hawaii, according to Reality Steve.
Devin received one one-on-one date on The Bachelorette Season 21 in Week 4 in Auckland, New Zealand. (Marcus, Jenn’s runner-up, received two in Week 2 and Week 6.) Jenn’s winner was a controversial choice, especially to her cast who have criticized The Bachelorette for protecting Devin.
In July 2024, Sam McKinney, who went home in Week 5 on The Bachelorette Season 21, hinted at his drama with Jenn and The Bachelorette in a comment reposted by TikTok account ShesAllBach in July 2024, in which he criticized his edit on the show. “Most felt like that and rightfully so. I even felt like that. I was incredibly disheartening to be portrayed in that fashion. Hopefully at the tell all the truth will come out,” he wrote in a since-deleted comment in response to fans questioning his behavior on The Bachelorette. He continued in another comment, “Oh and legally I’m not allowed to speak on it… and now I’m figuring out why.”
Sam M.’s, relative, Olivia McKinney, accused The Bachelorette of not fully airing everything that occurred on Jenn’s season. “I’m ready for @bacheloretteabc to show allllll the context they’ve left out,” she wrote.
Fans speculated that Olivia was referring to a controversial moment involving Devin that Reality Steve alleged was cut out of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere. Reality Steve reported that, during a game of “Truth or Dare” on night one, Devin was asked to name a conspiracy theory he believed in, to which he allegedly responded, “I believe 9/11 was an inside job.”
The scene was cut out of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere, presumably because Devin is Jenn’s winner. Reality Steve also reported that the whole cast, including Jenn, heard Devin’s comment, and the moment was among the real reasons that most of the cast had an issue with him during filming.
Olivia wasn’t the only family member to defend Sam M. on social media, according to more comments reposted by TikTok account Zachary Reality. Another of Sam M.’s relatives, Seth McKinney, also hinted at a producer’s bias toward Devin on The Bachelorette Season 21 in an Instagram comment. “Crazy how they can cut out so much detail to make a person look shallow while making others look like a king,” Seth wroet. “He added in another comment, “crazy thing called producers and editing can make people see what they want not what actually happened.”
Sam M.’s other relative, Hannah, also accused the producers of strategically editing The Bachelorette Season 21. “Let’s see all the footage @bacheloretteabc…. I’m waiting,” she wrote. When a fan criticized Hannah for not being there during filming, she responded, “I’m sorry that your family doesn’t defend you like we do ours.”
Another of Sam M.’s relatives, Susan McKinney, also shared a Facebook post in which she accused The Bachelorette of trying to “destroy” Sam M.’s character to seemingly make Devin look better. “There is nothing real about ‘reality’ tv. To destroy someone’s character and manipulate the truth through editing is wrong on so many levels. Isn’t it interesting that the first night favorite is now being made into the villain?” she wrote. “There are several spoilers out there for who she chooses in the end that you can Google for yourself. Sam is a good guy regardless of how he is betrayed and I will no longer sit idly by and not speak up. Hey The Bachelorette it’s called free speech. At least mine is honest which is more than they can say.”
Jeff McKinney, Sam M.’s father, wrote on Facebook, “I choose my words wisely. I have sat idly by this week watching my son a complete wreck on how he was portrayed. Sam has (mostly) been the favorite with the first impression rose, etc. The spoiler was revealed and (in my opinion) the network had to paint Sam as this horrendous guy in order for Jenn not to look like a complete idiot.”
He continued, “Now I know why the network offers free counseling for 1 year after the show. I feel this episode was all fabricated with cut and paste sentences and scenes. Can’t change what he said and how he said it but they can change the scene, script and context and totally change the delivery. That’s the way I feel. Feel free to share this. #ISTANDWITHSAM.”
(SPOILER): Final rose ceremony is today. Jenn is headed to the final rose ceremony location as we speak, which I’m told is at a house on the coast. This was taken of Jenn earlier today. pic.twitter.com/r6Ah5Pfw3f
Jenn and Devin got engaged in The Bachelorette Season 21 finale after Devin proposed to her at the Final Rose Ceremony, which she accepted, according to Reality Steve.
Jenn also seemingly confirmed she was engaged in an interview on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in June 2024, in which she responded to fans who wanted her Bachelor Season 28 cast mates, Maria Georgas or Daisy Kent, as the Season 21 Bachelorette instead of her.. “People were like, ‘She’s too boring, or She’s too crazy, she wants to take shots,’” Jenn said. “It’s like, God forbid I want to take a shot! I didn’t know that once you get engaged, you can’t take a shot. Or once you find love, you can’t take a shot.” Jenn went on to correct herself to a more general “find love,” however, fans interpreted her comment as confirmation that she got engaged.
Despite her engagement, Jenn hinted to People before The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere that she doesn’t have a timeline for getting married.. “When I was a little girl, I was like, ‘I’m going to get married at this age. I’m going to get engaged here. I’m going to have kids at this age, and I’m going to go to PA school at this age,’” she said.. “Nothing has ever panned out that way, so I’m just going to take it one day at a time and be hopeful for the future.”
She also told the magazine that an engagement wasn’t her priority when filming. “I feel like when you start on the journey, you’re so hopeful for an engagement,” she said. “And then as you go through the journey, it’s like, what [does] an engagement really mean to you? Is it just a ring, or is it a commitment? What I really was looking for was a lasting partner, so I think my definition of that really changed throughout the journey.”
It’s likely that Jenn’s engagement ring was designed by Neil Lane, a celebrity jeweler, who has created engagement rings for The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise since 2008. Former host Chris Harrison told Entertainment Weekly in 2016 that engaged Bachelor Nation couples must stay together for a certain amount of time after their engagements, otherwise they need to return their free engagement ring to Neil Lane. “There’s some rule, after a certain number of years, you get to keep it anyway,” he said. “But after months… it goes back.”
As for where failed engagement rings go, Lane confirmed StyleCaster in 2016 that he doesn’t know the answer. “I make rings hoping that people stay together forever, but after they get the ring, I don’t have a say in it, and what happens after that, I don’t know,” he said. “Where the ring goes, I have to say, I don’t really know. I just say it goes to ring heaven.”
Are Jenn and Devin still together from The Bachelorette season 21?
As of writing this, Jenn and Devin are still engaged after The Bachelorette Season 21 finale, according to Reality Steve. Jenn also seemed to confirm she and Devin were still together in an interview with People before The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere, in which she revealed that she was “very happy’ with how her season ended.
“I’m very happy with the ending and I’m very happy with the way everything panned out,” she said. “I learned so much every day that I was there [to find out] about myself and what I wanted in a relationship. There was so much growth.”
She also called her season the “best two months” of her life. “Are you kidding me? I’m not going to watch the best two months of my life? Of course, I am!” she said when asked whether she planned to watch her Bachelorette season. “I am so excited for it to premiere. I feel like it’s so weird that this crazy journey happened, and I am just so excited to be able to watch it back.”
Who is Devin, Jenn’s Bachelorette Season 21 winner?
Jenn’s winner, Devin Strader, is a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, who now lives in Houston, Texas. His Instagram handle is @devin.strader. According to his Linkedin, Devin is the owner of F1 Freight Consultants, a “full-scale, dedicated Truckload, and LTL service provider,” that launched in March 2023.
“As a dedicated consultant firm, F1 strives to deliver both the most cost effective solutions, as well as tackling transportation & logistics challenges throughout North America. F1 Freight Consultants, LLC handles thousands of shipments monthly with streamline efficiency, and have proven to be a single source solution for all transportation needs,” Devin’s Linkedin reads.
Before F1 Freight Consultants, Devin worked as a Vice President in Acquisitions at the transportation company,t Shark Logistics, from 2020 to 2023. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2019.
Read Devin’s official Bachelorette Season 21 biography and fun facts below:
“Devin is the full package and is so ready to meet his match. This business owner is 100% husband material and dreams of surprising his partner with romantic gestures throughout their relationship. Devin is extremely hardworking, passionate about his career, and proud of the business he’s built. When he’s not working, he loves running and spending time with his dog, Charlie — these two are a package deal. Devin is hoping his future wife is honest, kind, and embraces his big personality. He admits he’s a bit loud and loves to talk. Devin is truly here to find his person and hopefully return home with Jenn by his side.
Fun Facts:
● Devin ran a 200-mile relay race with his buddies.
● Devin loves eating shrimp tacos despite being allergic to shrimp.
● Devin’s mom is his hero.”
Who is Marcus, Jenn’s Bachelorette Season 21 runner-up?
Jenn’s runner-up, Marcus Schoberg, is a 31-year-old Army Ranger Veteran from Cloquet, Minnesota, who now lives in Raleigh, North Carolina. His Instagram handle is @marcus__edward. According to his Linkedin, Marcus is the founder of Falkor Technologies, an IT services company, which launched in September 2023.
Along with his current job, Marcus also works as a Data Engineer for Amentum,a government and commercial services contractor, and its United States Army Special Operations Command Special Access Program. Marcus was in the United States Army for eight years. He started as a Rifleman from 2011 to 2014. He was then a Rifle Team Leader from 2014 to 2018 followed by a Rifle Squad Leader from 2016 to 2017. He was then a Headquarters Platoon Sergeant from 2017 to 2018 followed by his last position as a Battalion Civilian Affairs Operations Sergeant from 2018 to 2019.
After leaving the US Army, Marcus worked at Harvard University’s Undergraduate Veterans Organization as the Director of Membership Engagement from 2022 to 2023. He started as a member of the organization in 2021.
Marcus graduated from the University of Washington with a degree in International Studies (with specializations in Foreign Policy, Diplomacy, and Peace and Security) in 2020. He’s also set to graduate from Harvard University with a degree in Computer Science in 2025.
Read Marcus’ official Bachelorette Season 21 biography and fun facts below:
“Marcus is a real-life superhero. The military veteran and Harvard alum is so excited to meet Jenn and hopes she’s the kind, honest, humble woman for whom he’s been searching. Marcus is a man of humility and wants to start a life with someone who shares his core values. When he isn’t working hard toward his career and his future, Marcus loves going rock climbing with friends and grilling on a Saturday night. Marcus has been in love before and is ready to settle down and start a family with his perfect match. He is looking forward to meeting Jenn and is hoping to find a relationship that will stand the test of time.
Fun Facts:
● Marcus loves binge watching “New Girl.”
● Marcus hopes to be an astronaut one day.
● Marcus’ favorite flower is the edelweiss because it’s a symbol of dedication.”
The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Stream it on Hulu.
Warning: The Bachelorette Season 21 spoilers ahead: As Bachelor Nation’s current villain, fans are confident that Jenn’s winner isn’t Sam M. on The Bachelorette Season 21. (At least they hope not.) But when does Sam M. go home? Viewers will have to wait a while.
Sam McKinney, a 27-year-old Contractor from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina, is one of 25 contestants on The Bachelorette Season 21 with Jenn Tran. Though he was an early fan favorite after he received Jenn’s First Impression Rose—and first kiss—on night one, opinions soured on him after Sam M.’s feud with Devin Strader—a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, and Jenn’s other frontrunner—in Week 2.
The feud continued on for Weeks 3, 4, and 5, as Sam M. and Devin butted heads over Devin’s behavior toward the other men in the Bachelor Mansion and whether he was there for the “right reasons.” Though Devin seemed to be enemy number one to The Bachelor Season 21 cast (Aaron Erb and Thomas Nguyen were also among his haters), he seemed like a fan favorite to fans who sympathized with him and appreciated his humor. Who fans seemed to have turned on, however, was Sam M. who went from fan favorite to villain for his drama with Devin.
Sam M.‘s villain status only got worse in Week 4 when he got his first one-on-one date with Jenn where they went bungee jumping off a skyscraper in Auckland, New Zealand. Though the the jump was no big deal to Sam M., Jenn, who confessed her extreme fear of heights, didn’t feel the same. In a confessional interview, Jenn criticized Sam M. for laughing at her and not comforting her during the date. Still, Jenn gave Sam a rose at the end of their one-on-one date. But what happened next?
When does Sam M. go home on The Bachelorette Season 21?
Jenn sent Sam M. home in Week 6 of The Bachelorette Season 21, along with Grant Ellis, a 30-year-old Day Trader from Newark, New Jersey, and Spencer Conley, a 30-year-old Pet Portrait Entrepreneur from Dallas, Texas. All three contestants were eliminated at the Rose Ceremony before Hometown Dates. They all also received one-on-one dates throughout the season and roses on those dates.
That means that Jenn’s final four were Devin Strader, a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas; Marcus Shoberg, a 31-year-old Army Ranger Veteran from Cloquet, Minnesota; Jonathon Johnson, a 27-year-old Creative Director from Kansas City Missouri, and Jeremy Simon, a 29-year-old Real Estate Investor from Fairfield, Connecticut. Jeremy was sent home in fourth place; Jonathon was sent home in third place; Marcus was the runner-up; while Devin was Jenn’s winner.
Is Sam M. the next Bachelor for Season 29?
It’s not impossible for Sam M. to become the lead of The Bachelor Season 29. There have been several Bachelors who have been eliminated at the Rose Ceremony before Hometown Dates, including Season 23 Bachelor Colton Underwood was also eliminated at the rose ceremony before Hometown Dates on The Bachelorette Season 14 with Becca Kufrin. Jenn herself was also eliminated at the Rose Cereimony before Hometown Dates at The Bachelor Season 28 with Joey Graziadei and went on to become the Season 21 Bachelorette.
Season 26 Bachelor Clayton Echard was also eliminated far earlier than Sam M. and went on to become a lead. Clayton was sent home in eighth place on The Bachelorette Season 18. What could prevent Sam M. from becoming the next Bachelor is the public’s opinion of him and—more importantly—what he and his family have said about his edit on The Bachelorette Season 21 ever since his feud with Devin.
Sam M.’s ex-girlfriend Rayleigh—who he dated before and after going on The Bachelorette Season 21—claimed to Reality Steve in July 2024 that Sam M. called Jenn a “liar” once he returned from filming The Bachelorette and that Jenn’s winner, Devin, proved his negative opinion of her.
“The other thing was when he came back from filming, he told Rayleigh, he thought Jen was a liar. He said, Jen’s feelings are all over the place. And the person she picks at the end is going to prove that that’s what he told Rayleigh really told that to me,” Reality Steve wrote.
Sam M. also hinted at his drama with Jenn and The Bachelorette in a comment reposted by TikTok account ShesAllBach in July 2024, in which he criticized his edit on the show. “Most felt like that and rightfully so. I even felt like that. I was incredibly disheartening to be portrayed in that fashion. Hopefully at the tell all the truth will come out,” he wrote in a since-deleted comment in response to fans questioning his behavior on The Bachelorette. He continued in another comment, “Oh and legally I’m not allowed to speak on it… and now I’m figuring out why.”
Sam M.’s, relative, Olivia McKinney, also accused The Bachelorette of not accurately representing what happened on Jenn’s season. “I’m ready for @bacheloretteabc to show allllll the context they’ve left out,” she wrote.
Olivia could be referring to a controversial moment involving Devin that Reality Steve claimed was cut out of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere. The site reported that, during a game of “Truth or Dare” on night one, Devin was asked to name a conspiracy theory he believed in, to which he allegedly responded, “I believe 9/11 was an inside job.”
The scene was cut out of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere, presumably because Devin is Jenn’s winner. Reality Steve also reported that the whole cast, including Jenn, heard Devin’s comment, and the moment was among the real reasons that most of the cast had an issue with him during filming.
Olivia wasn’t the only family member to defend Sam M. on social media, according to more comments reposted by TikTok account Zachary Reality. Another of Sam M.’s relatives, Seth McKinney, also hinted at favoritism toward Devin on The Bachelorette Season 21 in an Instagram comment. “Crazy how they can cut out so much detail to make a person look shallow while making others look like a king,” Seth wrote. “He added in another comment, “crazy thing called producers and editing can make people see what they want not what actually happened.”
Sam M.’s other relative, Hannah, also accused the producers of strategic editing on The Bachelorette Season 21. “Let’s see all the footage @bacheloretteabc…. I’m waiting,” she wrote. When a fan criticized Hannah for not being there during filming, she responded, “I’m sorry that your family doesn’t defend you like we do ours.”
Another of Sam M.’s relatives, Susan McKinney, also shared a Facebook post in which she accused The Bachelorette of trying to “destroy” Sam M.’s character. “There is nothing real about ‘reality’ tv. To destroy someone’s character and manipulate the truth through editing is wrong on so many levels. Isn’t it interesting that the first night favorite is now being made into the villain?” she wrote. “There are several spoilers out there for who she chooses in the end that you can Google for yourself. Sam is a good guy regardless of how he is betrayed and I will no longer sit idly by and not speak up. Hey The Bachelorette it’s called free speech. At least mine is honest which is more than they can say.”
Jeff McKinney, Sam M.’s father, wrote on Facebook, “I choose my words wisely. I have sat idly by this week watching my son a complete wreck on how he was portrayed. Sam has (mostly) been the favorite with the first impression rose, etc. The spoiler was revealed and (in my opinion) the network had to paint Sam as this horrendous guy in order for Jenn not to look like a complete idiot.”
He continued, “Now I know why the network offers free counseling for 1 year after the show. I feel this episode was all fabricated with cut and paste sentences and scenes. Can’t change what he said and how he said it but they can change the scene, script and context and totally change the delivery. That’s the way I feel. Feel free to share this. #ISTANDWITHSAM.”
The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Stream it on Hulu.
Jenn Tran’s ex-boyfriend Matt Rossi made a splash when he showed up to fight for another chance with the Bachelorette.
During a July episode of season 21 of the ABC series, Matt hopped a plane to see Jenn while she was in New Zealand with her suitors.
“For him to come here is just a big shock,” Jenn said. “We recently reconnected in the past few months as friends — or so I thought as friends.”
Matt, who dated Jenn on and off after their initial relationship began in 2020, asked to join the journey. “You could’ve said this before I left,” she said, to which he replied, “I did say it but I didn’t say it as grandly as this I guess.”
After much back-and-forth, Jenn walked away from the interaction to collect her thoughts, leaving the episode on a cliffhanger. In the teaser for the following episode, Matt is seen suiting up to seemingly join the fellow contestants at a cocktail party.
Keep scrolling for everything to know about Jenn’s ex Matt:
Matt Rossi/TikTok
He Has a Weiner Dog — And a Nickname
Matt is the proud owner of a weiner dog named Kirkland, who he frequently posts on social media. (Kirland, who’s named after Costco hotdogs, also has his own Instagram.)
Months before Jenn began filming The Bachelorette, she took to TikTok to share a story about her ex, whom she referred to as “weiner boy.”
Jenn and Her Ex Matt Met on Hinge
Two months later, Matt confirmed he was, in fact, “weiner boy” in a TikTok of his own. In the February video, Matt had his pooch help him share the story of how he met Jenn on Hinge.
“He found this really cute, sweet girl named Jenn, totally out of his league,” Matt explained from the perspective of his dog. “Somehow she gave him a chance, they hit it off and they started dating. Things started getting pretty serious and Jenn was ready to settle down but my dad just wasn’t there yet.”
Matt, who referred to himself as a “f–k boy,” noted that he and Jenn were still friends. “Give me another shot,” he said at the end of the clip.
He Sells Beer in Boston
During his appearance on The Bachelorette, Matt was labeled as a 27-year-old insurance executive from Atlanta, Georgia. After the episode aired, Matt clarified his occupation — as well as his residence and age.
“Insurance executive from Atlanta is wild when I sell beer in Boston,” Matt wrote via his Instagram Story in July, adding that he’s 28 years old.
In another Instagram upload, Matt shared a picture of himself from the episode and wrote, “Anyone need insurance?”
Just over one month away from Jenn Tran‘s premiere of The Bachelorette, ABC is confirming the official cast of contestants. On Monday, June 3, the network dropped names, photos and bios for the 25 men competing on season 21, and Us Weekly is breaking down the highlights. The Bachelorette season 16 and Bachelor in Paradise […]
He’s Not Jenn’s ‘Toxic Ex’
During the season, Jenn has spoken about a “toxic” former boyfriend who affected her views on love. After Matt showed up, she clarified in the episode that Matt was not the ex-boyfriend she has frequently referred to as “toxic.”
“We dated three years ago,” she said in the episode of The Bachelorette in July. “Matt is not the toxic ex I’m referring to [when I talk about an ex on the show]. He’s not the one who messed me up a little bit.”
Disney/Ramona Rosales
He Has a Following on Social Media
Matt has more than 50,000 followers on both TikTok and Instagram as of July.
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“To describe myself, I am a guy that lives in Boston that has a wiener dog,” he said during an episode of the “Nickel Up” podcast in February. “My content is about lifestyle and entertainment. It’s there to give you a look at lifestyle, but have a laugh along the way. But that’s something that took me probably nine months to actually figure out and start executing.”
While some roses stand the test of time, others wilt before the Neil Lane engagement ring can be resized. The Bachelor premiered on ABC in March 2002 with Alex Michel dubbed the world’s most eligible Bachelor. More than 20 women competed for his heart and one of the most successful reality TV franchises was born. […]
He’s a Runner
Matt has shown off his passion for running on his social media. “FILR (f–k I love running),” he captioned an Instagram post in July, alongside a series of photos from his workout.
In another Instagram upload in June, he explained that he thought it would be “funny to sign up for the New York City marathon” and now he’s “committed to the bit.”
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Devin Strader, a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, was one of 25 contestants on The Bachelorette Season 21 with Jenn Tran. Though he was a fan favorite to viewers, Devin seemed to be a villain to the other Bachelorette Season 21 cast members when he feuded with Aaron Erb, Thomas Nguyen, Sam McKinney, and other contestants throughout the first half of the season.
Devin seemed to respond to the controversy in an Instagram post after Week 2 of The Bachelorette Season 21. “comin’ at me never works no matter who tries flip modes on you quick – got a few sides never moving just to get by the game turned me into this guy,” he captioned an Instagram carousel of him and Jenn. He also seemed to address the backlash from his cast mates in another Instagram caption in which he wrote, “a series of very fortunate events.” So what happened to Devin on The Bachelorette Season 21 to cause the whole Bachelor Mansion turn on him? Read on for the real story from Reality Steve.
SPOILER: What happned to Devin on The Bachelorette Season 21?
Devin was the winner of The Bachelorette Season 21 after Jenn gave him her final rose in the finale, which he accepted, according to Reality Steve. At the Final Rose Ceremony, Devin also proposed to Jenn, which she also accepted, and the two got engaged. Jenn and Devin are still together, at the time of writing, according to Reality Steve. (Jenn’s runner-up was Marcus Shoberg, a 31-year-old Army Ranger Veteran from Cloquet, Minnesota.)
Devin had one one-on-one date with Jenn on The Bachelorette Season 21 in Week 4 in Auckland, New Zealand. Before The Bachelorette Season 21 finale, Devin was one of the villains of Jenn’s Bachelorette season after he feuded with contestants Aaron Erb and Thomas Nguyen in Week 2. The drama originated from Devin stealing Jenn away during a group date and interrupting Jenn’s one-on-one time with other contestants during the group date afterparty and the cocktail party before the third Rose Ceremony.
Devin’s drama continued in Week 3 when he feuded with Sam McKinney, Jenn’s First Impression Rose recipient. (Sam was sent home in Week 5 before Hometown Dates, according to Reality Steve.) Because of his drama, Devin was a controversial winner to The Bachelorette Season 21 cast, who have accused the show of trying to protect Devin because he’s Jenn’s winner.
According to Reality Steve, Devin was involved in a controversial moment on night one of The Bachelorette Season 21 when the cast played a game of “Truth or Dare.” During the game, Devin was asked to name a conspiracy theory he believed in, to which he allegedly responded, “I believe 9/11 was an inside job,” according to Reality Steve.
Though the scene didn’t air as part of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere, Reality Steve confirmed that Jenn and the rest of the cast was there during Devin’s comment and that moment played a part in Devin’s drama with the cast throughout the rest of Season 21 and was one of the main reasons that the other contestants didn’t get along with him.
Sam M. accused The Bachelorette of not accurately editing him in his feud with Devin in a since-deleted Instagram comment in July 2024. Most felt like that and rightfully so. I even felt like that. I was incredibly disheartening to be portrayed in that fashion. Hopefully at the tell all the truth will come out,” he wrote in a since-deleted comment in response to fans calling him a villain on The Bachelorette Season 21. He continued in another comment, “Oh and legally I’m not allowed to speak on it… and now I’m figuring out why.”
Many of Sam M.’s family members also hinted at unfair editing toward him and biased editing toward Devin, according to comments shared by TikTok account Zachary Reality. “I’m ready for @bacheloretteabc to show allllll the context they’ve left out,” Sam’s relative, Olivia McKinney, wrote in a comment.
“Crazy how they can cut out so much detail to make a person look shallow while making others look like a king,” aother relative, Seth McKinney, wroe in a comment.” He added in another comment, “crazy thing called producers and editing can make people see what they want not what actually happened.”
Hannah McKinney, another relative, also seemingly called on The Bachelorette to air the deleted footage of Devin. “Let’s see all the footage @bacheloretteabc…. I’m waiting,” she wrote.
Susan McKinney, another of Sam M.’s relatives, shared a Facebook post in which she accused The Bachelorette of trying to “destroy” Sam M.’s character to seemingly boost the profile of Devin in viewers’ eyes. “There is nothing real about ‘reality’ tv. To destroy someone’s character and manipulate the truth through editing is wrong on so many levels. Isn’t it interesting that the first night favorite is now being made into the villain?” she wrote. “There are several spoilers out there for who she chooses in the end that you can Google for yourself. Sam is a good guy regardless of how he is betrayed and I will no longer sit idly by and not speak up. Hey The Bachelorette it’s called free speech. At least mine is honest which is more than they can say.”
Sam M.’s father, Jeff McKinney, shared his own Facebook post where he also criticized The Bachelorette for editing Sam M. in a negative light. “I choose my words wisely. I have sat idly by this week watching my son a complete wreck on how he was portrayed,” he wrote. “Sam has (mostly) been the favorite with the first impression rose, etc. The spoiler was revealed and (in my opinion) the network had to paint Sam as this horrendous guy in order for Jenn not to look like a complete idiot.”
He continued, “Now I know why the network offers free counseling for 1 year after the show. I feel this episode was all fabricated with cut and paste sentences and scenes. Can’t change what he said and how he said it but they can change the scene, script and context and totally change the delivery. That’s the way I feel. Feel free to share this. #ISTANDWITHSAM.”
Who’s Devin from The Bachelorette Season 21?
Devin Strader, is a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, who now lives in Houston, Texas. His Instagram handle is @devin.strader. According to his Linkedin, Devin is the owner of F1 Freight Consultants, a “full-scale, dedicated Truckload, and LTL service provider,” that launched in March 2023.
“As a dedicated consultant firm, F1 strives to deliver both the most cost effective solutions, as well as tackling transportation & logistics challenges throughout North America. F1 Freight Consultants, LLC handles thousands of shipments monthly with streamline efficiency, and have proven to be a single source solution for all transportation needs,” Devin’s Linkedin reads.
Before F1 Freight Consultants, Devin worked as a Vice President in Acquisitions at the transportation company,t Shark Logistics, from 2020 to 2023. He graduated from Louisiana State University in 2019.
Read Devin’s official Bachelorette Season 21 biography and fun facts below:
“Devin is the full package and is so ready to meet his match. This business owner is 100% husband material and dreams of surprising his partner with romantic gestures throughout their relationship. Devin is extremely hardworking, passionate about his career, and proud of the business he’s built. When he’s not working, he loves running and spending time with his dog, Charlie — these two are a package deal. Devin is hoping his future wife is honest, kind, and embraces his big personality. He admits he’s a bit loud and loves to talk. Devin is truly here to find his person and hopefully return home with Jenn by his side.
Fun Facts:
● Devin ran a 200-mile relay race with his buddies.
● Devin loves eating shrimp tacos despite being allergic to shrimp.
● Devin’s mom is his hero.”
The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Stream it on Hulu.
Could this possibly be the horniest season of The Bachelorette in history? When the episode opens with a warning about “scantily clad men thrusting and gyrating” (presumably so Yosef’s now-adult daughter watching at home knows to turn the episode off), I know we’re in for a wild ride. And could this be the first season of The Bachelorette where the lead’s ovulation goggles fully ruin the season?? Because if Jen doesn’t pull a Kaitlyn Bristowe and sleep with Sam M before the fantasy suites, this entire season just might crash and burn.
Before we get to the sexual tension that’s thicker than Megan Thee Stallion after Thanksgiving, can I just ask … Why does Sam M talk like that? He speaks like someone created a Chet Hanks language-learning model — a ChetGPT, if you will. I feel like he personally owes me reparations every time he says, “I’m gonna keep the main thing the main thing.” He seems like he belongs more on FBoy Island than The Bachelorette. Dislike. Unsubscribe.
Jen is so incredibly horny for Sam M, who is so clearly terrible for her, that it might threaten the entire enterprise. Jen!!! Stand up!!! This is not a man who puts you first or will take care of you — this is a guy who uses orgasms as a tool of manipulation! He’s going to ask you if you’ll co-sign a small-business loan so he can open a tattoo parlor–slash–car-detailing business while he’s between your legs!!! Someone please protect Jen’s heart (and her credit score)! Especially when there are so many absolute sweeties. But let’s get into it.
It’s morning in Mel-bin and the jentlemen are absolutely over the drama between Sam M, Thomas, and Devin. (Shout out to Olivia for holding it down last week!) The quickness with which Thomas went from No. 1 sweetheart to henchman is devastating.
The first date card of the week goes to Spencer! Sure, I guess!! In a season where I weirdly have more men’s faces and names memorized than usual, I don’t think I can remember any facts or interactions with Spencer before this moment. But he seems sweet enough. Jen says she’s looking for someone to put her first and feel comfortable. Unfortunately, the only examples that she can muster are “he put my seatbelt on for me,” so it comes off more like she’s a toddler and Spencer is an attentive stepdad. “He made sure that the corners were all baby-proofed and tested the temperature of the bathtub with his elbow.”
It’s time for the evening portion of the date and Jen loves a sparkly gown with a boa. I get it. She’s a hot, petite bitch and she’s decided that Jean Harlow is her style icon. Jen’s narrative for this season is she’s been in a lot of toxic relationships where she lost herself, and the jentlemen are echoing that back to her. Spencer reveals that he was engaged before, and right before the wedding, his fiancée said she needed “some time,” and he dug in her phone and found out she was cheating. Jen hears this and asks if Spencer has an inherent distrust of engagements and love. Spencer says that he jumps all in when it comes to love and he’s ready to be engaged again. I’d be asking how often he sees a therapist and if he’s doing cognitive-behavioral or talk therapy. I guess they have chemistry and I guess they like each other? Spencer gets the rose and the fireworks makeout, so I guess this is more serious than I anticipated.
Dylan, Marcus, Thomas A., John M., Grant, Jonathon, Sam N., Thomas N., Sam M., and Devin are all going on the group date, and the date card says, “I’m looking for a love down under.” It’s a Thunder Down Under–themed date, and Sam M already has his shirt open (even before he knew the theme of the date). The cast of Thunder Down Under do the iconic moves, and I’m very into the big guy demonstrating all the ways to do a body roll. “Pretend like you’re holding onto two poles and … roll.” Add him to the house. Spice it up. During this three-dance move tutorial, Salmon somehow sprains his wrist and worries about being “the first Persian to strip.” He retreats into his mind palace and cooks up a scheme that is unhinged.
Sam M knows he has a powerful sexual hold over Jen and is ready to exploit that in front of people, and Devin is mainly worried about his body because he doesn’t have abs and does have a hairy chest. (1) Oh, Devin, there are plenty of women who are into hairy chests and soft bodies. You’ll be fine. And (2) you know who else didn’t have abs and probably had a hairy chest? BRET! Bret can do a split! We could have brought the real thunder!
The show will be judged by Australia’s Sister Bachelorettes, and I did not know that Australia’s Bachelorette game was like this. They also had the first bisexual Bachelorette. We gotta get our eyes on Australia, and I need way more information on “Bachelorette sisters.”
Every guy has a sexy costume and comes up with his own alter ego. Dylan is a C-E-Make you O!. Marcus is astronaut Neil Real-strong. Thomas A. is a snake charmer, and he is just carrying a snake in jeans. Sam M. is “Chef Flustered” because he makes Jen “flustered” and I want to break the spell he has over her! He whispers in her ear, “It’s not PG tonight.” Cast out this dark magic!! Devin is a dirty detective, and he strips off his coat to reveal a thong and SHAKES HIS ASS!!! YESSS!!!!! This is the energy we want to see!! Again, fellas, a soft body and a good sense of humor will get you very far. Sam M. cannot comprehend that there is another source of tactical, sexual sorcery.
When it comes to Sam N.’s performance, I just wrote in my notes: “The Love Virgin, terrible choice.” Salmon decides to perform some spoken word with his robe on and tells Jen that he’s already falling in love with her. Nope. Nope. Nuh-uh. Send him home now. Salmon also immediately goes into self-loathing about how pathetic he is and how everyone is judging him. Sir, you’re on The Bachelorette. You’re being judged by more people than you can possibly fathom. Anyone else get the feeling that Salmon’s move in life is to go to self-loathing to dodge consequences for his emotionally impulsive moves? I’ve dated the guy who texts you “Oh my god, I’m stupid. I’m so fucking stupid” when you confront him about commenting a tongue-out emoji on Instagram baddies’ bikini pics. Jonathan gets the trophy for best performance, and everyone walks away trying to put what Salmon did out of their minds.
At the cocktail party, Devin takes Jenn aside first and talks to her about his insecurity about his body and growing up as a fat kid. I’m here for even the barest acknowledgment of body types other than “Thunder Down Under dancer,” but we should talk about them without implying that weight loss is the solution to that lack of confidence.
While Devin and the other guys are sitting down with Jen, Sam M. and Thomas are laughing about Salmon’s profession of love. Their skepticism isn’t unwarranted: Salmon keeps talking about how he doesn’t know what love is and saying he’s already falling in love is weird, even for The Bachelorette. But snickering and saying,“What the fuck?” isn’t the way to go. Devin feels protective of Salmon, and he’s clashed enough with Sam M. and Thomas that he’s not afraid to call them out. Salmon tries to address the elephant in the room and starts by saying how pathetic he feels; Devin just calmly says, “That’s what you were feeling; it’s okay; let’s just have respect for each other and move on.” Then Sam M. chimes in, and honestly, Devin and Sam M. said “mutual respect” back and forth so many times I didn’t know what fucking point either of them was going to make.
Devin seems to be saying he doesn’t think anyone should be talking behind each other’s backs and that is a sign of mutual respect. Sam M. thinks that no one should disagree with him or try to confront him when he talks about anyone behind their backs and that’s a sign of mutual respect. Devin wants peace. Sam M. wants to be the big dog. Sam M. also says that Devin is a bully and the writer of the chyrons labels him “Someone who needs to look up the definition of bully in the dictionary.”
Sam M. takes Jen aside and STRADDLES HER ON THE COUCH!!! THIS IS TOO MUCH!! THIS IS OVER THE TOP!! The only move he’s got is sex, and I hope once Jen finally hooks up with him, she’ll snap out of it. Fingers crossed. And it could be sooner than later because Devin gets the group-date rose.
It’s time for the next group date of the week and it’s with four guys? At a racetrack?? Sure. Hakeem, Jeremy, Aaron, and Austin are on the date, and Aaron is going in with some tension because his fighter-pilot training dates have been set. That sounds like a fake reason a guy breaks up with you and is never seen again. Jen is an adrenaline junkie, and she says she’s not a gal’s gal and she prefers sneakers. Ugh. Jen. Please. There is no greater status in this world than being a girl with lots of girlfriends. I’m not here for all the “girl’s girl” discourse, but if you’re out here saying you’re not one, I am 65 percent more suspicious of you. Jen, I want the best for you, and that means gabbing with the gals over margaritas and guac for the table.
Okay, this date. It’s a big ol’ whatever. Aaron is the only one who can drive stick and has done right-hand drive, so he gets some special time with Jen. They have a race as the final portion of the date and Jeremy makes the incredibly hot decision to park the car on the track and make out with Jen instead of winning. That’s the way to her heart. Austin ends up winning the race, but she gives the group date rose to Jeremy. My favorite part of this date is anytime they film a talking head of Jen, her lipstick is gone. It’s smudged all over her face or completely wiped off. They didn’t even pretend to touch her up.
It’s time for the cocktail party, and Aaron must pull Jen aside to tell her that his rocket-ship laser astronaut training has to start. Instead of just pulling her aside and letting her know that he has to leave to pursue his dreams, he decides to tell her in the vaguest way possible that some of the guys aren’t here for the right reasons and some of them aren’t ready for an engagement. He says he’s not going to name names, and he’s not trying to scare her. Boo!! Tomato! Tomato! Tomato! This is just a man trying to secure his spot on Paradise by starting a storyline on his way out. Also … who is he talking about? If Thomas had said the same thing, I would get that he was talking about Devin, but who is Aaron beefing with?
Jen goes to the jentlemen and says that Aaron said there are traitors among the group and everyone needs to be ready to banish one player at the round table. Sam M. just says, “I’m gonna keep the main thing the main thing,” and I’m one acre closer to reparations. Sam M. also says he can’t imagine that Jen would be interested in him and Devin at the same time. There’s no way she could be interested in a man like that. A man like what? Medium cute and funny? That’s who every woman ends up marrying if she’s smart. They don’t marry the fuckboy with a catchphrase.
All the guys are bickering and fighting over who Aaron is talking about and how they all need time with Jen. Spencer yells at everyone to SHUT THE FUCK UP and says “Simmer!” Okay, this seventh-grade math teacher energy? I’m starting to see it.
Time for the rose ceremony.
Marcus, John M., Jonathan, Austin, Grant, Sam M., Thomas N., Dylan, and Sam N. all get roses. Sam M. says that Devin wants to be the big dog in the house and that in the real world, he’d break Devin in half. JEN! Just bang this guy and get it out of your system!!
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Warning: The Bachelorette Season 21 spoilers ahead. It’s the question fans have been waiting for ever since she was announced as the next lead: Does Jenn get engaged on The Bachelorette Season 21?! Her ending has “never happened before” in Bachelor Nation history.
Jenn Tran, a 24-year-old Physician Assistant Student from Hillsdale, New Jersey, was announced as the Season 21 Bachelorette at The Bachelor Season 28 “After the Final Rose” special. Jenn was previously a contestant on The Bachelor Season 28 with Joey Graziadei and was sent home in Week 7.
Jenn, who is of Vietnamese descent, is also the first Asian-American lead in Bachelor or Bachelorette history. “Growing up I never really saw a lot of Asians in the media, and that really hindered me from believing that I could make something of myself and do some things, so for me to be here today and kind of be the role model that I’ve always wanted is honestly really surreal for me,” Jenn told Good Morning America in July 2024.
Does Jenn get engaged on The Bachelorette Season 21?
Jenn got engaged to Devin Strader, a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, in The Bachelorette Season 21 finale. (Her runner-up was Marcus Shoberg, a 31-year-old Army Ranger Veteran from Cloquet, Minnesota.)
Jenn also seemingly confirmed she was engaged on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast in June 2024, in which she responded to fans who wanted her Bachelor Season 28 cast mates, Maria Georgas or Daisy Kent, as the Season 21 Bachelorette instead of her. “People were like, ‘She’s too boring, or She’s too crazy, she wants to take shots,’” Jenn said. “It’s like, God forbid I want to take a shot! I didn’t know that once you get engaged, you can’t take a shot. Or once you find love, you can’t take a shot.” Jenn went on to correct herself to a more general “find love,” however, fans interpreted her comment as confirmation that she got engaged.
What happened during Jenn and Devin’s engagement on The Bachelorette Season 21?
For the Final Rose Ceremony, which was filmed at a house on the coast of Hawaii, according to Reality Steve, Jenn wore a white dress. Devin also wore a white suit with a black tie, according to photos obtained by Reality Steve.
Jenn and Devin’s engagement was also shown during the cold opening of The Bachelorette Season 21, which made fans think that Jenn left the Final Rose Ceremony single and rejected her last contestant. “I can’t let you propose to me,” Jenn says in the opening to her final contestant, who Reality Steve identified as Devin based on the color of the contestant’s suit shown in the clip. Reality Steve confirmed that the opening was a fakeout—much like Joey Graziadei’s cold opening on The Bachelor Season 28—and that Jenn and Devin are, in fact, engaged.
Jenn also confirmed to Season 11 Bachelorette Kaitlyn Bristowe in July 2024 that something occurs in her Bachelorette finale that’s never happened before in Bachelor Nation. “I think I’m also being told that the ending of my season is also something that has never happened before,” she said.
Fans have speculated that Jenn proposes to Devin, which would make her the first Bachelorette to propose to her winner. This would also explain Jenn telling Devin that she couldn’t let him propose to her. Reality Steve, however, doesn’t believe this theory and speculates that Jenn tells Devin not to propose to her because she wants to give him her final rose first.
“What I do know is in that opening scene Monday where she’s telling Devin ‘I can’t let you propose to me,’ there isn’t an ounce of sadness in her face or a tear in her eye. It’s almost like she’s about to follow it up with, ‘…because I want to choose you,’ or ‘…until I give you the final rose,’” he wrote.
Who designed Jenn’s engagement ring from Devin on The Bachelorette Season 21?
INeil Lane, a celebrity jeweler, who has created engagement rings for The Bachelor, The Bachelorette and Bachelor in Paradise since 2008, most likely designed Jenn’s ring from Devin on The Bachelorette Season 21. Ex-host Chris Harrison told Entertainment Weekly in 2016 that engaged Bachelor Nation couples need to stay together for a set amount of time after their engagements to keep their free engagement ring from Lane. If they break up before that time, they must return it. “There’s some rule, after a certain number of years, you get to keep it anyway,” he said. “But after months… it goes back.”
Lane also told StyleCaster in 2016 that he doesn’t know where failed engagement rings go, but he makes each one with the intention that the couple stays together. “I make rings hoping that people stay together forever, but after they get the ring, I don’t have a say in it, and what happens after that, I don’t know,” he said. “Where the ring goes, I have to say, I don’t really know. I just say it goes to ring heaven.”
Who is Devin, Jenn’s Bachelorette Season 21 winner?
Jenn’s winner, Devin Strader, is a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, who now lives in Houston, Texas. His Instagram handle is @devin.strader. According to his Linkedin, Devin is the owner of F1 Freight Consultants, a “full-scale, dedicated Truckload, and LTL service provider,” that launched in March 2023.
“As a dedicated consultant firm, F1 strives to deliver both the most cost effective solutions, as well as tackling transportation & logistics challenges throughout North America. F1 Freight Consultants, LLC handles thousands of shipments monthly with streamline efficiency, and have proven to be a single source solution for all transportation needs,” Devin’s Linkedin reads.
Before F1 Freight Consultants, Devin worked as a Vice President in Acquisitions at the transportation company,t Shark Logistics, from 2020 to 2023.
Read Devin’s official Bachelorette Season 21 biography and fun facts below:
“Devin is the full package and is so ready to meet his match. This business owner is 100% husband material and dreams of surprising his partner with romantic gestures throughout their relationship. Devin is extremely hardworking, passionate about his career, and proud of the business he’s built. When he’s not working, he loves running and spending time with his dog, Charlie — these two are a package deal. Devin is hoping his future wife is honest, kind, and embraces his big personality. He admits he’s a bit loud and loves to talk. Devin is truly here to find his person and hopefully return home with Jenn by his side.
Fun Facts:
● Devin ran a 200-mile relay race with his buddies.
● Devin loves eating shrimp tacos despite being allergic to shrimp.
● Devin’s mom is his hero.”
The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Stream it on Hulu.
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Thomas Nguyen, a 31-year-old Retirement Adviser from Tucker, Georgia, is one of 25 contestants on The Bachelorette Season 21. Thomas—known as Thomas N.—is one of two Thomases on Jenn’s Bachelorette season, along with Tomas Azzano (Tomas A.), a 27-year-old Physiotherapist from Toronto, Ontario.
Like Jenn, Thomas is also of Vietnamese descent and is the only contestant from The Bachelorette Season 21 cast of the same background as her. (Jenn, who was announced as the Season 21 Bachelorette at The Bachelor Season 28 “After the Final Rose” special, is the first lead of Asian descent in the Bachelor franchise’s 22-year history.)
In an interview with Glamour before the Season 21 premiere, Jenn explained how her conversation with Thomas N. on Night One about their shared background eased her nerves. “It’s not every day that you get to bond with somebody on your immigrant parents and you get to connect with somebody on that level because not everybody can understand that. That was a really special conversation for me because [Thomas] really understood where I was coming from, and my family means everything to me…being a child of immigrant parents is something that not everybody can understand,” she said. “And so, having that conversation with Thomas N. really meant the world.”
She also addressed the lack of Asian men in The Bachelorette Season 21 cast, which many fans credit to the rumor that Maria Georgas or Daisy Kent, two of Jenn’s cast mates from The Bachelor Season 28 with Joey Graziadei, were originally offered the role. “I can’t really speak to the casting process and the decisions that were made, but it is unfortunate that there weren’t a lot of Asian men this season,” she said. “Asian men haven’t always seen themselves in this position, and I am hoping that me being here and Thomas N. being there, that the both of us can inspire other Asian men to realize that they can do this too if they want. They can be in this position as well. I’m hoping that it inspires them.”
SPOILER: Does Thomas N. win The Bachelorette Season 21?
Jenn did not pick Thomas N. as her winner on The Bachelorette Season 21, according to Reality Steve. In fact, Thomas N. didn’t even make it to Jenn’s final two. Jenn’s winner was Devin Strader, a 28-year-old Freight Company Owner from Rosenberg, Texas, while her runner-up was Marcus Shoberg, an Army Ranger Veteran from Cloquet, Minnesota.
Thomas N. also doesn’t make it to Jenn’s final four. Her fourth place finalist was Jeremy Simon, a 29-year-old Real Estate Investor from Fairfield, Connecticut, and her third place finalist was Jonathon Johnson, a 27-year-old Creative Director from Kansas City, Missouri.
Who is Thomas N. from The Bachelorette Season 21?
Thomas N. is a 31-year-old Retirement Advisor from the Tucker, Georgia, area. His Instagram handle is @the_thomaswin.
According to Linkedin, Thomas N. works as a Retirement Specialist with Pres Financial, a financial advising firm. He graduated from Florida Southern College in 2014. Along with his retirement career, Thomas N. also works as a life insurance agent, according to his Instagram biography. He was also a professional swimmer, per his Instagram biography, and enjoys fitness.
He retired as a coach for the swim team SwimAtlanta in 2019. “I can’t put into words how much SwimAtlanta means to me. I’ve traveled all over the world, met Olympians, RACED Olympians, coached Olympians. But that’s all the flashy stuff that you see,” he captioned an Instagram post of him in a pool. “Some of the things that mean more to me are when you have kids finish their first legal 50m fly, their first legal crossover turn, they get their first state cut, their first red cap, or them accomplishing something they never thought they could. These are the things that make coaching worth it. SwimAtlanta has raised me into the man I am today and I couldn’t be more proud to be around a program like I have been with SWAT. Thank you Davis family for everything. Coach Thomas out……for now “
Read Thomas N.’s official Bachelorette Season 21 biography and fun facts below:
“Thomas N. has a heart of gold. The retirement adviser loves his work and giving back to a community that he says doesn’t get enough attention. Thomas N. comes from a big Vietnamese family and is very proud of his family’s heritage and culture. His family has been through a lot, and he hopes to find a love as strong as what his parents have. Thomas N. is looking for a future wife who loves him for him and is ready to start a family. When he isn’t working, he enjoys swimming, watching “Guy’s Grocery Games” on the Food Network, and spending time on a boat with his friends. The little things matter just as much as the big things to Thomas N. in a relationship, and he’s ready to shower Jenn with little romantic gestures.
Fun Facts:
● Thomas N. plans on traveling to every continent.
● Thomas N. is a former professional swimmer.
● Thomas N. went cliff diving in Italy.”
The Bachelorette airs on Mondays at 8 p.m. on ABC. Stream it on Hulu.
Matt James and Rachael Kirkconnell.ABC/Craig Sjodin
The Bachelor’s executive producers Claire Freeland and Bennett Graebner are getting candid about the franchise’s “inexcusable” historic lack of racial diversity.
“It’s hard to say out loud, that people of color didn’t see themselves represented, that they did not see The Bachelor franchise as a safe place,” Graebner said in an interview with The Los Angeles Times published on Wednesday, June 26.
“We didn’t have a Black lead in this franchise for 15 years, and that’s inexcusable. It created a vicious cycle, and it’s taken a lot of work to get back to a place where we feel at least we’re working for the positive,” the producer added.
The Bachelor introduced its first Black lead in 2021 when Matt James searched for love on season 25 of the ABC reality dating show. However, James’ season was mired in controversy when photos emerged of contestant — and eventual winner — Rachael Kirkconnell attending an antebellum-themed college party in 2018. (James and Kirkconnell are still together.)
From breakups to makeups and everything in between, Bachelor Nation has seen it all — and it hasn’t always been pretty. Loyal fans of The Bachelor and The Bachelorette often put in the work to uncover secrets from contestants’ pasts as they search for love on the ABC reality franchise. During Matt James‘ historic season, […]
The franchise faced even more backlash when former host Chris Harrisonappeared to defend Kirkconnell in a fiery interview with former Bachelorette star Rachel Lindsay on Extra. He subsequently left the show.
Rachel LindsayABC/Craig Sjodin
“I’m going to be really frank — we let Matt down,” Graebner candidly told the Los Angeles Times. “That season went wrong on so many levels. We did not protect him as we should have. The finale of that season was the darkest day I’ve had on this franchise. Here was this great Black man, and we should have been celebrating his love story. Instead, what we saw was a man burdened and overwhelmed by issues of racism. It was really sad for me personally.”
Graebner and Freeland said it’s a “priority” to cast another Black lead in the future and correct some of the mistakes they made in season 25.
The Bachelorette, meanwhile, will have its first Asian lead in Jenn Tran — who is Vietnamese — when the show returns on July 8.
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Jenn TranDisney/John Fleenor
The franchise’s producers are holding their hands up over the lack of Asian representation in the past.
Some Bachelor Nation couples hit different. The Bachelor franchise has been matchmaking since 2002. Back in 2003, Trista Rehn and Ryan Sutter became the first Bachelor Nation couple to walk down the aisle. The twosome, who met while filming the first season of The Bachelorette, celebrated 19 years of marriage in December 2022. Thank You! […]
“That’s on us. We didn’t do what we needed to do. Our hope is that they will see Jenn and realize this is a safe space. We’re not saying it will solve and fix everything. But it is a step,” said Graebner.
“We had extensive discussions with Jenn prior to filming,” Freeland added. “She is proud of her Vietnamese culture and she wanted to know if she could speak about that. We told her we wanted her to be her most authentic self.”
![Here’s Whether Jenn Actually Picked [Spoiler] as Her Bachelorette Winner](https://reportwire.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/07/Jenn-The-Bachelorette.jpg?w=650)
