Latest news with #JennTran
USA Today
14-07-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Jenn Tran on why a 'Love Island' star's slur 'struck a nerve' with Asian Americans
When evidence of a "Love Island USA" cast member using a racist slur against Asian people started circulating on social media, it reopened old wounds for Jenn Tran. Tran, a 27-year-old physician assistant student who is also the most recent "Bachelorette," quickly took to TikTok to explain why the word was "demeaning and demoralizing." Tran's video has since accumulated 1.8 million views. Cierra Ortega, 25, a frontrunner removed from the show, had used the epithet as recently as 2024 to describe the shape of her eyes – a look she had gone to a medical spa to fix with "a mini brow lift to open up my eyes." "For me, it was more upsetting in which the context (the word) was used," Tran tells USA TODAY in a conversation about her reaction to Ortega's post. "For someone to be using that word and being like, 'I am doing this to my eyes because I don't like the way that it looks' and the word that she used (refers to) Asian people – that struck a nerve with me because growing up, it was really, really hard to learn to love my features." 'A lot of people made fun' of Jenn Tran for 'the way my eyes are' Tran, who is Vietnamese American, is outspoken about how a lack of Asian American representation affected her childhood. "A lot of people made fun of me, the way that I looked, the way my eyes are, the way I brought smelly lunches to school, the way I speak a different language. So obviously that led into a bit of an identity crisis," she says. She internalized this messaging and briefly considered blepharoplasty, one of the most common cosmetic procedures in the U.S. Among East Asian people, the so-called "double eyelid surgery" creates a crease in the upper lid and achieves the appearance of wider eyes. "I definitely Googled getting that eye surgery. I definitely bought double-sided tape to give myself more of a double eyelid," Tran says. "When everyone around you has big eyes ... you start thinking, 'Oh, I'm not beautiful. My eyes aren't beautiful,' " she says. How Jenn Tran's season ended: A franchise empowered its Asian American lead — then tore her down Jenn Tran: 'I shouldn't have to fix (my eyes)' To see this message perpetuated decades later appalled Tran. "I mean, these are my eyes. And I was born with them, and I shouldn't have to fix them. There's nothing to be fixed," she says. "That's not the message we should be telling people – to go fix themselves." 'I'm very familiar' with the slur, Jenn Tran says Most of the comments on Tran's video are supportive. But a scroll through the remarks also reveals many people weren't familiar with the slur prior to the controversy. Ortega herself said in a video apology that she "had no idea." 'Incredibly offensive': Cierra Ortega opens up about slur use after 'Love Island USA' exit The slur seemingly originated around 150 years ago and is believed to have originally been used in the 1800s in relation to Chinese immigrants, who were systemically excluded by the Page Act and Chinese Exclusion Act . Tran is "very familiar" with the offensive word. "I've been called it on my social media recently. So, yeah, it's still out there," she says. Addressing those who say the slur is 'not that serious' In numerous TikTok videos about Ortega's controversy, there are comments from users who say the outcry is an overreaction by people who are "too sensitive." Any time Tran speaks up about racism she encounters online, commenters dismiss her with statements like, "Why are you making everything about race? It's not that serious. Shut up," according to Tran. The solution, she believes, is a willingness to learn "about our cultures" and "open your heart" to others' experiences. She also clarifies that her video is intended to raise awareness about the harm the slur can inflict, rather than "perpetuate this cyber-bullying" of Ortega, which she describes as having "gotten out of hand." 'I very much love all my features now' For Tran, this conversation about anti-Asian racism has arrived during an era of self-acceptance. "I've definitely been through that journey and thankful to be on the other side of it," she says. "I very much love all my features now." She doesn't attribute the mindset to a singular reason. But "I grew up, and I realized rather than hating myself and getting a surgery to change myself, I just decided to accept myself," Tran says. "And there's also a lot more Asian representation now and more people that look like me that I'm like, 'No, they are beautiful, and so am I.' "
Daily Mail
11-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Daily Mail
Jenn Tran's further heartbreak as she splits from DWTS partner Sasha Farber
The first Asian-American Bachelorette Jennifer 'Jenn' Tran has reportedly ended her four-month fling with her former Dancing with the Stars partner Aleksandr 'Sasha' Farber. At 41, the professional dancer is 14 years older than the Barry University grad student, and the couple amicably ended their pairing with no drama while remaining friends - according to TMZ. Jenn and Sasha were all smiles in their final footage taken at Stagecoach Festival in Indio, CA the weekend of April 25-27, but neither posted any PDA on social media. Speaking of which, some fans believed it was all just a 'showmance' considering the only time they ever publicly showed affection was a chaste kiss on the cheek on December 16. Distance was also clearly an issue for Tran, who's enrolled in a physician assistant program in Miami, and Farber, who remains close to his $2.6M Studio City home. The New Jersey-born daughter of Vietnamese immigrants was ominously missing from the Belarus-born Australian-American's 'perfect' birthday festivities in LA on May 9 with friends like Selma Blair, Derek Hough, Peta Murgatroyd, and more. On Tuesday, Sasha was in great spirits as he reunited with his ex-wife Emma Slater and other DWTS pros for some sort of rehearsal at Aesthetic Dance Studios in Sherman Oaks. He and the British-American 36-year-old's divorce was finalized in May 2024 following four years of marriage and 13 years of knowing each other. Meanwhile, Jenn - who proudly flaunted her bikini body at Miami Swim Week - has been obsessed with a female kitten she named Penelope that she began fostering from Pawsitive Beings Rescue Inc. on May 24. Tran originally met Farber last September when she was a last-minute casting for the 33rd season of the ABC/Disney+ celebrity dance competition where she landed in seventh place after before being eliminated on October 29. The 5ft6in hoofer gushed on the episode: 'From the first day I met you, I feel like I've known you a long, long time.' 'I'm walking away with a new family that I didn't know that I had, and such an incredible man who I got to meet by twist of fate,' the brunette beauty gushed back. 'We weren't even supposed to be on the show this season. So I'm just so happy.' The timing was awkward considering Jenn had just been dumped via telephone by her fiancé - freight company owner Devin Strader - last August following a five-month, televised engagement on the 21st season of ABC's The Bachelorette. 'I am still healing. It's been difficult processing the past few months and it will continue to be difficult for me to fully understand my own heart at this moment,' Tran wrote on September 5. Jenn wrote on September 5: 'I am still healing. It's been difficult processing the past few months...I will always have love for the person I fell in love with and I am choosing to wish him the best in his journey of life and will always root for him' 'My heart is heavy grieving but I have to make room for forgiveness and keep the main thing the main thing which is ultimately my heart. While emotions were high on stage, at the end of the day, I will always have love for the person I fell in love with and I am choosing to wish him the best in his journey of life and will always root for him.' Only months earlier, the practicing Buddhist had vied for the heart of tennis pro Joey Graziadei during the 28th season of ABC's The Bachelor, on which she came in fifth place. Aside from pursuing a Master of Science degree, Jenn is every bit the influencer with lucrative paid partnerships for brands like Mini USA, 196 Vodka Seltzer, CeraVe, Shark Beauty, Fabletics Scrubs, Neutrogena, Clorox, MegaFood, and Edible Arrangements. Sasha has never won the coveted Len Goodman Mirrorball Trophy but he also partnered with celebs like Snooki, Simone Biles, Tonya Harding, Mary Lou Retton, Selma Blair, and Alyson Hannigan.
NBC News
15-05-2025
- Entertainment
- NBC News
HGTV announces a ‘Bachelor' mansion renovation series. Here are the details
The famous 'Bachelor' mansion, which has been a staple in the long-running reality dating franchise for decades, is getting a makeover. On May 14, Warner Bros. Discovery announced in a press release that HGTV is partnering with Bachelor Nation for a new renovation show. 'Renovating the Bachelor Mansion,' a working title for the series, will premiere in 2026 on HGTV and HBO Max and feature Bachelor Nation alums as the competitors. 'Now, HGTV shines the light on this recognizable estate, giving the property the facelift it finally deserves,' Warner Bros. Discovery said. On the show, past 'Bachelor' and 'Bachelorette' contestants 'who possess expert reno skills return to the house to duke it out in various design challenges with the hope of winning a cash prize.' The 'Bachelor' mansion, where the contestants arrive during every season premiere dressed to the nines for their limo entrances, is located in Agoura Hills, California. Filming for 'The Bachelor' and 'The Bachelorette' has consistently taken place at the residence throughout the years, with the exception of the seasons that were shot during the COVID-19 pandemic. The most recent season of 'The Bachelorette,' starring Jenn Tran as the lead, also strayed from the norm. Episode One of Season 21 was filmed at Hummingbird Nest Ranch in Santa Susana, California, 'Entertainment Tonight' revealed in 2024. But for Grant Ellis' season of 'The Bachelor,' which premiered in January, the show returned to the iconic mansion. HGTV's upcoming crossover with ABC comes as 'The Bachelor' franchise undergoes a series of changes. Variety reported in February that 'The Bachelorette' will not air this year, a first for the show since it took a hiatus from 2005 to 2008. Then, ABC revealed in April that a newcomer, 66-year-old former NFL player Mel Owens, will lead Season Two of 'The Golden Bachelor' this fall. Next up for the 'Bachelor' franchise is the return of 'Bachelor in Paradise,' which hasn't aired since 2023. After filming in Mexico for past seasons, Season 10 of 'Bachelor in Paradise' will head to Costa Rica, the network shared in an April press release. It will change its format by featuring contestants from the 'Golden' spinoff shows, as well.
Business Wire
02-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Business Wire
Largest Asian Pacific Beauty Campaign in History Debuts with Cultural Changemakers by Maybelline New York, Bustle, & Gold House
NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Today, in honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Maybelline New York, Bustle Digital Group (BDG), and community partner Gold House launched 'Face the Difference' — a bold new campaign on the cover of Bustle that celebrates the broad spectrum of Asian Pacific Beauty for the first time on a national scale. More than just a showcase of beautiful faces, 'Face the Difference' spotlights the Asian Pacific leaders who are changing culture and driving their industries forward — across fashion, entertainment, business, activism, and beyond. 'Face the Difference' features the most ambitious photoshoot in Bustle's history — a meticulously curated lineup of 40 trailblazers from across the Asian Pacific diaspora. Despite growing cultural influence, 1 in 3 Asian Pacific consumers still report seeing very few or no diverse Asian Pacific faces or cultures represented in advertising content 1 — and are the most likely identity group to buy from brands that represent them in ads 2. The campaign, developed by Asian Pacific creatives, is a response to that disparity, showcasing the beauty, power, and multifaceted identities of Asian Pacific leaders shaping culture today. Featured talent highlights include: TV personality and content creator Jenn Tran who was the first Asian American lead on The Bachelorette Olympic medalist Maia Shibutani who, along with her brother, became the first Asian American ice dance couple to be inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame and just announced their return for the 2025-26 Olympic season Creator, Host, and Bestselling Author Drew Afualo who has used her platform to empower her community and is leading the new wave of the creator economy Fashion Designer Kim Shui who crafts new age, heritage-driven fashion Partake Foods CEO & Founder Denise Woodard whose multi-million dollar cookie phenomenon was born to solve snack time for her own daughter's food allergies Restaurateur Jenn Saesue who is building her own hospitality empire with cultural authenticity in a male-dominated industry Global Brand President of Maybelline New York Trisha Ayyagari who has led the brand through a bold era of innovation, inclusivity, and purpose-driven marketing President of Maybelline New York, Garnier, and essie USA, Amy Whang who has championed initiatives like the strategic partnership with Gold House to promote Asian Pacific representation The campaign's focus on 40 changemakers is a powerful nod to Maybelline New York's Fit Me Matte + Poreless Foundation, which features 40 true-to-tone shades and was one of the first mass beauty lines to champion true comprehension in shade matching. 'Maybelline New York has long championed the idea that beauty is for everyone,' said Alex Wang, Brand Marketing Director of Maybelline New York. 'This campaign is a powerful extension of that legacy, celebrating the strength and richness of the Asian Pacific community through a modern, comprehensive lens with our wonderful partners at Bustle Digital Group and Gold House.' 'Face the Difference' also reflects the deepening strategic partnership between Maybelline New York and BDG, built on a shared mission to tell bold, culturally resonant stories that drive the beauty industry forward. BDG's trusted editorial voice, creative vision, and ability to convene the most relevant talent have made it a leading partner for brands seeking to build authentic connections with modern audiences. 'We are honored to partner with Maybelline New York and Gold House on Bustle's biggest photoshoot yet, centering the broad spectrum of beauty in the Asian Pacific community in a truly impactful way,' said Charlotte Owen, Editor in Chief of BDG. 'We are thrilled to debut 'Face the Difference' and continue incorporating this type of rich, inclusive storytelling through our editorial brands.' To view the full campaign, visit About Bustle Digital Group (BDG) BDG is home to 11 brands, reaching the largest millennial and Gen Z audience in the U.S. Our trusted publications empower, entertain, and engage millions of young readers through storytelling and commentary on lifestyle, entertainment, technology, gaming, parenting, and more. About Maybelline New York Maybelline New York is the number one cosmetic brand in the world, available in over 120 countries. By combining technologically advanced formulas with on-trend expertise and New York City edge, Maybelline New York's mission is to offer innovative, accessible, and effortless cosmetics for all. In 2020, Maybelline introduced Brave Together, a long-term program to support anxiety and depression worldwide. Brave Together provides critical one-on-one support, an online education hub, a variety of programming to help destigmatize the conversation around mental health and has committed to donate $20 million over the next five years to global and local organizations. For more information log on to or About Gold House Gold House is the home of collective power where leaders unite to forge culture. Our innovative programs and platforms include membership systems and events to fortify relationships among the Asian Pacific community and with other marginalized communities (#StopAsianHate); first-of-its-kind investment vehicles and accelerators to propel the next generation of top Asian Pacific founders, creatives, and leaders (Gold House Ventures, Creative Equity Fund); and industry-leading research, consulting, and marketing to promote authentic and affirming portrayals (Gold Story Consultation, Gold Open, Gold List, A100 List). To learn more, visit or follow @GoldHouseCo on Instagram, Facebook, X/Twitter, Threads, and LinkedIn.
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Jenn Tran Jokes ‘Long Live Jenn Tran as the Last Bachelorette' amid News of the Series Not Returning This Summer (Exclusive)
Jenn Tran is laughing off The Bachelorette's surprising production delay. Weeks after fans learned season 22 of The Bachelor spinoff wouldn't be returning for its usual summer slot, the latest lead of The Bachelorette gave PEOPLE a funny response to being asked about the series' hiatus. 'I don't know anything about that. Long live Jenn Tran as the last Bachelorette. I'd love that,' quips the reality star, 27, at the Cape Radiance Gala red carpet in Los Angeles on March 24. Related: Jenn Tran Says She and Sasha Farber Are 'Not in a Rush' to Define Their Relationship (Exclusive) The season 21 lead — who attended the gala with her former Dancing with the Stars partner Sasha Farber amid their undefined relationship — previously told PEOPLE her thoughts about the dating show's hiatus. 'It was a surprise to me. The franchise has been going on for so long. Sometimes you hear things like why [shows go on pause]. I have no idea why and what's going on there. I really have no idea,' she said last month. But she theorized at the time why it might have been pushed back. 'The Bachelorette does usually air in the summer when people are traveling — I heard that it doesn't do as well as The Bachelor, which airs in the fall, where people are home and ready to watch TV,' she added. 'So maybe it'll give a chance for the next Bachelorette to air at a time where there's more visibility. That would be nice.' Never miss a story — sign up for to stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories. Related: Jenn Tran Says It Was 'Physically Impossible Not to' Feel Something with Sasha Farber on DWTS: He'd 'Make a Great Boyfriend' At the Cape Radiance Gala red carpet, Tran also discussed the recent Instagram video of her and Farber, 40, performing a choreographed dance to Sabrina Carpenter's '15 Minutes.' 'I'm still learning how to dance. I'm getting my bang for my buck,' Tran says, before answering if it's mandatory to do dance lessons when hanging out with Farber. 'Yes, absolutely, right, honey? Right? Yeah,' she says beside Farber to which he replies, 'I love to teach her to dance.' 'He's my landlord, he's my social media person. He's everything,' she adds. Read the original article on People
