The outcome of Jenn Tran’s season of The Bachelorette seemed perfect at first—but only for a brief time. During the Sept. 3 finale, she accepted a proposal from contestant Devin Strader, having said goodbye to runner-up Marcus Shoberg.
However, the public soon learned that things had changed since the finale was filmed earlier in the year. Jenn and Devin had officially ended their engagement. Though Devin had expressed his excitement about proposing, Jenn had different plans during the finale, declaring, “I’m not gonna let Devin propose to me today. I’m gonna propose to Devin. I just want to make a big gesture.”
Jenn Tran’s Bachelorette finale started with joy but ended in unexpected heartbreak
But before the audience could witness her proposal, Jenn became emotional on After the Final Rose, sharing the real story of their breakup.
“The past couple of months have been really tough,” Jenn revealed through tears. “We left Hawaii engaged and incredibly happy. It was the best day of my life.” But after returning from Hawaii, she noticed a shift in Devin. “He seemed distant, and all the promises about our future and moving in together felt like they were fading,” Jenn continued. “The effort just wasn’t there—he wasn’t calling or texting as much, and I was left confused.”
Eventually, Devin broke off the engagement over the phone, Jenn explained. “He told me he didn’t love me anymore, didn’t feel the same, and regretted the engagement, which I didn’t even know.” Devin, in turn, admitted during After the Final Rose, “I failed you. All I can say is that what I felt was real.”
Jenn expressed doubts about his sincerity, accusing Devin of following other women on Instagram and partying after their split. “I was hoping for a different conversation,” Devin responded. “Am I not allowed to live my life?” Earlier in the summer, Jenn hinted at the surprising ending of her season.
“It’s definitely a shocking conclusion,” she told E! News’ Francesca Amiker in June. “It was a surprise to me as well.” Jenn reflected on how the journey ended differently from what she had envisioned at the beginning. “I’m excited for everyone to see how it all reveals,” she added.
Making history as the first Asian-American lead on The Bachelorette, Jenn, who first appeared on Joey Graziadei’s season of The Bachelor, shared her excitement back in March. “WHAT A DREAM,” Jenn wrote on Instagram, expressing her gratitude for the surreal opportunity.
Acknowledging her friends and family for their unwavering support, the 26-year-old continued, “Without them, I wouldn’t have had the strength and courage to do this. Also, FIRST ASIAN BACHELORETTE?! This moment means so much to me.”
Reflecting on her role, Jenn expressed how important it was for her to represent a community that she rarely saw on screen. “Growing up, I never saw someone who looked like me leading a love story on TV,” she shared. “I’m so thankful to inspire others to embrace their culture.”
“This journey is bigger than just finding love—it’s about something much more profound, and I’m embracing it wholeheartedly,” she concluded. “I can’t wait for us all to laugh, cry, and experience this adventure together.”
