Why ‘DWTS’ Booked Jenn Tran, Sasha Farber Last For ‘GMA’ Cast Reveal
Bachelorette star Jenn Tran was on a flight to New York City as a last-minute addition to the Dancing with the Stars cast less than 24 hours after revealing on live television that Devin Strader called off their engagement. Sasha Farber called to be her pro partner but hustled to get on a flight to New York City for the big GMA cast reveal. Why weren’t they initially added to the Dancing with the Stars Season 33 cast?
In 12 hours, Jenn Tran went from ‘Bachelorette’ heartbreak to ‘DWTS’ cast
In a heartbreaking Bachelorette finale, Jenn Tran revealed that Devin Strader broke off their engagement in a 15-minute phone call sometime in August. “He basically said that he didn’t love me anymore and didn’t feel the same way,” she confessed during the series ender.
When confronted by Strader, Tran expressed her feelings about how his actions impacted her. He, in turn, expressed regret for hurting her so deeply.
Us Weekly reported that she was offered a spot on DWTS in a twist of fate. “I got off stage, was crying in my dressing room, and then they’re like, ‘Alright, 45 minutes, you gotta get on a flight. We’re doing it.’”
At the same time, pro Sasha Farber, who was reportedly moved to the troupe this season, suddenly received a call that he was joining the cast as a pro once again. “I got a call. It was early in the morning, saying, ‘You need to get on a flight in 45 minutes.”
Farber continued, “And I was flying down to get to the airport, and I didn’t have a ticket,” Farber explained. “I didn’t even meet her and I see her running to security. I was like, ‘That must be Jenn, good, I need to be where she’s going.’”
During the early Good Morning America call, Tran met Farber and the rest of the cast. In her since-deleted Instagram story, she shared that she was happy to begin this new experience.
Why did Jenn Tran get called for ‘DWTS’?
In a Reddit post about Jenn Tran’s DWTS casting, fans seemed puzzled about why The Bachelorette lead was added at the last minute. Many believed ABC was trying to do damage control after the humiliation Tran likely felt during the live Bachelorette finale.
“This is a good distraction. Yes, they never meant to cast her. This last-minute cast is to save face from all the criticism they got from putting her through last night. It’s pathetic on the show producers, not on her,” wrote one Redditor.
“But there is something rather dystopian about humiliating someone for ratings and then “making it up to them” by putting them on another show to be critiqued for ratings. ABC wins both ways, which is all they care about,” claimed a second viewer.
“Considering how [The Bachelorette] treated her, it’s literally the LEAST they could do. They should do more,” penned a third fan.
A fourth viewer was less angry at the franchise and happier Tran was paired with Farber. “I’m so happy she has Sasha. He’s always the most fun, comforting, protective partner—everyone paired with him leaves with a positive experience!”
It’s the first time in ‘DWTS’ history 2 ‘Bachelor’ cast members who dated are competing
Typically, DWTS features the most recent star of either The Bachelor or The Bachelorette. However, never in the series’ history have two franchise members who have dated competed against each other.
In addition, Jenn Tran competed for Joey Graziadei’s heart on season 28 of The Bachelor, which adds to the drama of the competition. He told Us Weekly, “I just saw her earlier today. She came in at the last minute, but I got to say hello and give her a hug. We’re just, like I said, excited to get this thing going.”
Although Tran is currently single, Graziadei remains engaged to Kelsey Anderson. Therefore, a romantic reunion between the two is unlikely.
Twelve competitors from Bachelor Nation, including Tran and Graziadei, have competed for a mirrorball trophy, but only three have won the series’ biggest prize.
In 2020, Kaitlyn Bristowe won alongside Artem Chigvintsev. With Alan Bersten, Hannah Brown took home the Mirrorball trophy in 2019. Melissa Rycroft, paired for a second time alongside Dovolani in 2012, won the all-star season.
Season 33 of DWTS premieres on ABC on Tuesday, Sept. 17, at 8 p.m. ET. It simultaneously airs on Disney+ and Hulu the next day.
