The Badger ‘Bachelorette’ talks about living in Wisconsin and making TV history 

As the star of the current season of “The Bachelorette,” Jenn Tran is “The Bachelor” franchise’s first-ever Asian American lead.   

She also happens to be a graduate of the University of Wisconsin-Madison. The pun-inclined might call her…  the Badger…lorette. Tran graduated in 2020 with a degree in molecular biology. 

Tran talked with WPR’s “Wisconsin Today” about making TV history, what she took with her from her years in Wisconsin and what it’s like to date on camera.

The following has been edited for brevity and clarity. 

Rob Ferrett: You’re the first Asian American “Bachelorette,” and the first ever Asian American lead of “The Bachelor” franchise, period. How does it feel to make TV history with this representation?

Jenn Tran: It honestly feels very, very surreal. It’s something that I just never imagined for myself. You know, growing up, I’ve always wanted to see a role model in this sense. So to be able to kind of be that today — I’m very excited to do that. 

RF: Can you talk a little more about that — growing up, and how rare it might have been to see Asian Americans on American TV?

JT: Growing up, you didn’t really see Asian Americans on TV, and if you did, it would be … some side character to fulfill a stereotype. When you’re growing up and you don’t really see yourself in that main character light, it’s tough. You feel put into a box, and you don’t really know the extent of what you could do and who you could become. I definitely had an identity crisis growing up, and wanted to just assimilate and be like everybody else. 

I think we’re at a point right now in the media where there is a lot more Asian representation, and there needs to be more change. But it’s nice to be able to have more representation so that other young Asian Americans can feel less alone. 

RF: We are Wisconsin Public Radio, so we’ve got to talk about your time here in Wisconsin. You’re from New Jersey originally. What brought you to UW-Madison?

JT: I wanted a big state school. I wanted to have a good time and I wanted a really, really good college town. And Madison definitely provided that.

RF: If there was one thing from Wisconsin you could take with you wherever you live, What would it be? What’s that one thing you miss?

JT: Culver’s cheese curds and custard. 

RF: You’re getting more of those around the country now; they may catch up with you.

JT: I would love that.  

RF: You were on “The Bachelor” as a contestant. Now you’re the star of “The Bachelorette.” How’s the experience different, being one of many versus being the one?

JT: You have a lot more options to choose from. There’s less chance of failure. So that’s nice. And hey, it’s nice to have all these men falling over you. I think every girl should be living in this world.

RF: How does dating in real life compare to being on a dating show? 

JT: I would say for me, it’s pretty similar. Like, when I go to the bars, I have a lot of men to choose from. And on “The Bachelorette,” I had a lot of men to choose from, too.

RF: In this situation, do you feel like you’re learning about dating and relationships, even though it’s an artificial setup?

JT:  So much. For me, when I date in real life, I have such tunnel vision. I pick one man and I go with it when really, you should be testing the waters with a lot of different men to see what you like. So it’s nice to be able to have multiple relationships going on all at once. You could kind of compare each relationship to the other and be like, “OK, what’s this guy providing me that the next one isn’t?” So, it was perfect for me.

RF: I know some people go onto a reality TV show thinking it’s a step towards some kind of stardom. Is that your vision, or is “The Bachelorette” gonna be it for you and you’ll go to more of a normal life after?

JT: I am a physician assistant student currently. I’m taking a little break, but I will be going back soon. So, yeah, I think I will be going back to my normal life. 

But there are doors that are open with this reality TV world, and as to what I’ll be taking on, I don’t know. But I will also definitely be a PA as well. I would like to think that I will be dipping my toe in a little bit of everything.