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The much-awaited season 21 of The Bachelorette finally premiered on Monday, July 8. It saw 25 eligible suitors vying for Jenn's heart and introducing themselves to her. Jenn Tran is the first Asian American bachelorette of the series.
It also saw Jenn Tran give out three roses, including a first impression rose. Sam McKinney didn't only become the one to receive the first impression rose, but also the one to receive the first kiss of the season. Apart from Sam, Dylan and Thomas also became the ones to receive the coveted roses on the first episode of The Bachelorette season 21.
In an interview with USA Today, published on July 8, Jenn Tran opened up about her experience kissing for the first time on the show. She said,
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"I needed that emotional connection before getting there."
Jenn Tran talks about her first kiss on The Bachelorette season 21
In the USA Today interview, Jenn reinstated the fact that Sam was her first kiss on the show and the only kiss of the night. Reflecting back on the day, Jenn said she just wanted to be true to herself.
"I was conscious of the fact that when I enter relationships, it takes a lot for me to get to that level with the person."
She added that she thought kissing was an intimate thing and that she needed that emotional connection before deciding to proceed with it. She said that because of this, she knew she wasn't going to kiss so many people on the show. She added,
"I didn't know how many I was going to kiss, but I knew that it was going to take a little bit more than just a, 'Hey, how are you? Let's make out'."
Jenn also spoke about the importance of saying no in situations where one doesn't want to give in. She said that sometimes people feel compelled to kiss when someone leans in for one, but it is important to know that it's okay to say no. She added that standing up for oneself doesn't mean that one hates them, it just means that one is not ready yet. And it is okay to let them know that.
Why did Sam McKinney win the first impression rose on The Bachelorette season 21?
In episode 1 of The Bachelorette, 26-year-old Jenn was introduced to 25 suitors vying for her heart and talked to them. After which, she said she had an "undeniable connection" with Sam McKinney.
However, she was also attracted to Grant, a trader, and said that he was her "type." Her chemistry with Thomas N. was also palpable as they bonded over their shared experience of growing up with immigrant parents from Vietnam. She also connected well with Dylan, who eventually became the recipient of a rose alongside Thomas N.
When it was time for Jenn to decide on who to hand the first impression rose to, she considered parameters such as: who made her feel the most comfortable, who made their conversation the easiest, and who she felt connected with the most. She then said,
"I just kept thinking back to Sam at that point. I was like, 'If I keep thinking back to this guy, then I'm going to give him the rose because I think there's potential there."
New episodes of The Bachelorette season 21 drop on Mondays on ABC at 8 p.m. ET.
