What to know about ‘The Bachelorette’ Jenn Tran, who’s also a UW-Madison alum

Here’s what to know about Jenn Tran, “The Bachelorette” of Season 21 — who also happens to be a University of Wisconsin-Madison alum.

Tran appeared on “The Bachelor” last season, and during the finale, was announced as the next “Bachelorette.”

How did she end up on “The Bachelor” in the first place? Did she ever dream she’d become “The Bachelorette”? And, how does it feel to be the show’s first Asian American lead?

After chatting with Tran over Zoom last week, we’ve answered all of these questions and more:

How old is ‘Bachelorette’ Jenn Tran?

26

Where is ‘Bachelorette’ Jenn Tran from?

She was born in New Jersey after her parents and brother immigrated to the United States from Vietnam, Tran shared in a “Get Ready with Me”-style video “Bachelor Nation” posted in May in celebration of Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month.

Jenn Tran is ‘The Bachelorette’s’ first Asian American lead

“It’s overwhelming,” Tran told the Journal Sentinel. “There’s a lot of emotions around it.”

Mainly, she’s grateful and honored.

Tran hopes to inspire young Asian American girls who are “dealing with the same things” she did as a kid — “having a bit of an identity crisis and not knowing where they fit in” — as well as anyone who has ever felt like they didn’t fit in somewhere.

“I never would’ve dreamed of becoming the role model I once needed when I was a kid,” she said. “It’s really quite full-circle and surreal.”

What does ‘Bachelorette’ Jenn Tran do?

Tran has been working toward becoming a physician assistant, but is currently taking a “little break” from PA school, which is in south Miami. In the words of her favorite artist Taylor Swift, Tran has “a lot going on at the moment.”

“I want to be able to really focus on PA school the best that I can because the end goal is to be a good provider,” Tran said. “I’m just pushing it off until I have a lot more time to dedicate to it.”

Jenn Tran’s time at the University of Wisconsin-Madison

Tran transferred in the middle of her sophomore year to the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where she studied molecular biology.

“Madison just seemed like the best college town — and it definitely was,” she said.

She enjoyed going to Badger games and playing club lacrosse. Her hangouts included the Memorial Union Terrace, Eno Vino Wine Bar and Bistro (where she used to work) and The Coopers Tavern.

Tran was in the class of 2020, so her spring commencement was virtual. She returned to Madison in September 2021 for an in-person graduation celebration.

Tran wants to make it back sometime during a summer and also for a UW football game.

Read more about Tran’s Madison days here.

How did Jenn Tran end up on ‘The Bachelor’?

Tran got a direct message on Instagram from a casting producer who had come across her PA school TikToks, she said, and was offered an interview.

At the time, she wondered if it was a scam and didn’t think she was going to go through with it.

“I did the interviews, and then, one thing led to another,” she said.

Tran made it to the top six on this past season of “The Bachelor” with Joey Graziadei, who also has ties to Wisconsin. She was announced as the next “Bachelorette” lead on the Season 28 finale of “The Bachelor.”

Did Jenn Tran ever dream she’d be ‘The Bachelorette’?

“God no,” Tran said, laughing. “I never saw myself in this role at all.”

After her time on “The Bachelor,” she was just going to go right back to PA school.

So, when she got a call about “The Bachelorette,” she said, it really took her by surprise. She went through meetings and interviews for it. And, while she was initially “on the fence,” she ended up deciding to give it a whirl.

“I am a hopeless romantic and I really believe in true love and finding your partner,” she said. “I hadn’t ever really been in love before. And, I know how fast connections can build the first time around, so I was like, this is a really good environment for that to happen. And, I wanted to follow my dreams and fall in love.”

What does ‘Bachelorette’ Jenn Tran like to do?

Tran enjoys working out, painting, paddleboarding, reading and traveling.

Who are the contestants vying for ‘Bachelorette’ Jenn Tran’s heart?

There are 25 suitors, including the aerospace engineer twin brother of a “Bachelor Nation” alum, medical school students, entrepreneurs and former athletes.

Here are their names and bios.

How to watch ‘The Bachelorette’ Season 21

“The Bachelorette” Season 21 premiere is at 7 p.m. CT July 8 on ABC. It streams on Hulu the next day.