Bachelor Nation has no shortage of loyal viewers. Like any long-standing fandom, they can act as dedicated internet sleuths that search the depths of the World Wide Web and the underbelly of social media to uncover details about a contestant’s past — especially if it means saving the current season’s lead from making a mistake. Jenn Tran made history as the franchise’s and fans have been quick to scrutinize the digital footprints of her season’s suitors.
From discovering a frontrunner’s based on his social media habits to learning about sexual assault allegations made about another suitor, Tran’s men have been at the center of offscreen controversy. These days, social media deep dives are practically a given when it comes gathering intel on a reality TV contestant’s past. But no matter how thorough or well-intentioned these fans might be, their findings the course of a Bachelorette or Bachelor’s journey to find love.
The common misconception is that the lead requires saving to begin with. Who are we, as viewers, to assume that he or she isn’t already aware of all the dirt fans unearth? Enter " — and Bachelor Nation is rife with them. “'Parasocial' relationships — whether it’s YouTubers, TikTok influencers or reality TV stars like Jenn Tran — are powerful forces that can significantly influence fan behavior and emotional attachment,” Lauren Auverset van Gerwen, an assistant professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette’s department of .