‘The Bachelorette’ Season 21 Premiere Recap: Who Went Home Episode 1? And Who Got Jenn Tran’s First Impression Rose?

The Bachelorette is back and Jenn Tran is making franchise history with an exciting season of firsts.

In addition to being the first Asian Bachelorette, Tran is also the first physician assistant student calling the shots, the first to welcome contestants to the Hummingbird Nest Ranch, and she’s jetting off to Australia with her group of guys after Night 1 in the first largely abroad season.

“I just really hope that my story allows other people to open up their hearts and their minds to something that’s different from themselves. Because at the root of it all, we’re all human, and we’re all just trying to find somebody to love, or just trying to love ourselves. And we’re all just trying to be ourselves,” Tran told Decider during a pre-premiere Zoom interview. “I really hope that people are able to open up their minds a little bit more.”

During Tran’s two-hour premiere on Monday, July 8, the 26-year-old from Boston welcomed 25 guys to the new Bachelor mansion, endured some truly cheesy limo exits, had some scintillating cocktail party conversations, handed out her first impression rose, and said goodbye to seven contestants before making a major announcement. We also got a dramatic sneak peek at the conclusion to Tran’s season, which showed her standing in front of a man saying “I can’t let you propose to me” before putting down her rose and walking away.

When asked to tease her unique ending, Tran told Decider, “It’s a surprise for sure. It’s definitely not something that I could have imagined was going to happen. But I’m very happy with the way everything panned out through the journey. And I’m very excited for it all to come to light.” Ultimately, Tran said Season 21 has “a lot of twists and turns” and she admitted she was “constantly surprised” and “on the edge of my seat a lot of the time.”

Before we can end the journey, however, we have to begin. So let’s dive right into The Bachelorette Season 21, shall we? Wondering how Jenn Tran’s Bachelorette premiere played out? Who went home Night 1? Who got the first impression rose? And what Tran had to say about her first official night on Bachelorette duty or the season to come? Decider’s Bachelorette Season 21 premiere recap has you covered.

Can You Feel The Jenn-ergy?

Tran welcomed Bachelor Nation to Boston in her Bachelorette intro video, which included footage of her playing basketball, lacrosse, tennis, and even chatting with colleagues at Tufts Medical Center, where she’s working as a physician assistant student. (When she’s not on the show, of course!)

Before welcoming her group of guys, Tran took a moment to reflect on her ex, Joey Graziadei, saying, “I’ve been waiting my whole life to find my true love, and I thought that I found that with Joey. He’s one of the best guys I’ve ever dated. He was really there for me and really listened to me… When I came back from Joey’s season, I was heartbroken, but coming home to see my family felt so good.

The Season 21 lead took time to shoutout her family, especially her mom, who immigrated to America from Vietnam to give her a better future. Tran also took a moment to acknowledge that a lot of responsibility comes with being the first Asian American Bachelorette, saying, “I want to be able to make everybody proud and make my heritage proud. I think what it really comes down to is just that I have to be myself and do the best that I can do. I know what I have to offer. I know who I am. And I know I’m going to find my person.”

Jenn Tran’s 25 Jenn-tlemen Arrive — Just In Time For Shot O’Clock

Speaking of Tran’s person, it’s time for her to meet the 25 Jenn-tlemen who showed up to the new mansion, Hummingbird Nest Ranch, in Season 21’s premiere. First out of the limo? Marcus, a 31-year-old Army Ranger Veteran from Raleigh, North Carolina. He told Trann about his three big dreams: to serve country, go to outer space, and meet his person. He left a smooth, promising first impression and kicked off the season with some genuinely good vibes, but as the night went on, the limo exits grew increasingly chaotic.

Some standout Jenn-tlemen included Thomas N, a 31-year-old retirement advisor from a big Vietnamese family, who made Tran a friendship bracelet with his last name on it; Dylan, a 24-year-old medical student whose grandmother’s breast cancer diagnosis inspired his career path; Aaron Erb, twin brother of Noah Erb, who seemed to be here for the right reasons; and Devin, a 28-year-old freight company owner from Texas who Tran said was “giving a Pete Davidson vibe.” (When asked if Davidson was a celebrity crush, the Season 21 lead told Decider: “I think if I had met Pete Davidson in person, I probably would have a crush on him. But no, my celebrity crushes are definitely Shawn Mendes and definitely Chris Evans, for sure.”)

There was the “shot o’clock” crowd, who incorporated Tran’s Season 21 motto into their intros. (Tran also told Decider, “I will be taking a shot every Monday.” So feel free to join her.) And then, there were what I deemed the flops, the try-too-hards, and the cringe limo exits. Among them were Brendan, who bit two hot peppers to prove some sort of point but just ended up looking ridiculous; Jeremy, who rolled up in a red sports car then told Tran he had a really big penis (ugh!); Sam N, who kept talking about being a “love virgin”; and more. There was also Jonathon, a 27-year-old creative director who rolled in on a stretcher wearing a hospital gown (with his bare cheeks out) and a face wrap. Why? Because he was “lovesick.”

“Throughout the night I really was like, ‘That was an interesting choice!’ Definitely wouldn’t have been my choice! But to each their own,” Tran told Decider. “I always preach: Just be who you are, and if that’s who you are, then OK! Better to know now than later.” Amazing point!

Cocktail Convos And An Attempted Car Theft

After meet-and-greets, Tran headed inside and made a traditional toast, explaining, “Growing up I never really had a good role model of what love was, but through a lot of trial and error and a lot of toxic relationships, I really figured out my worth. I hope you guys are here for something serious; for a ferocious love…I’m not perfect. I don’t expect you to be perfect. We’re just gonna have some fun with it.”

First to steal Tran for a second was Sam M., a 27-year-old contractor from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina who turned on the Southern Charm when he stepped out of the limo (and most closely resemble’s Tran’s celeb crush Chris Evans out of the Season 21 cast). After their chat, Tran told cameras she felt like they had an “undeniable connection” and went on to chat with the rest of the competition. She bonded over her Vietnamese culture and immigrant parents with Thomas N, talked about having single moms and biting toes with Pete Devin-son, learned why Sam N. has “Never Been To Third Base Emotionally,” and finally unwrapped Jonathon’s facial dressings to reveal a refreshingly sweet smile. After a game of truth or dare (which involved one contestant streaking through the mansion), however, an attempted car theft occurred. Yeah, you heard me! Apparently that’s what happens when you try to flex with a bright red rented ride.

As Jeremy was chatting with Tran in his impressive whip, Brian swiped his key inside and interrupted their one-on-one time, putting everyone in a deeply awkward position until Jeremy admitted defeat, left Brian and Tran in his own car, and sulked back to the mansion.

“That’s so funny — the attempted car theft,” Tran laughed during her interview with Decider. “I was just really confused about what was going on and I was just going with it. I was like, ‘I’ll let these boys battle it out. They can figure it out. I’m not their mom.’ I’m not going to tell anyone what to do ever. I just sat there and waited until somebody made a decision.”

Who Got Jenn Tran’s First Impression Rose?

Later in the evening, Tran made a decision of her own and gave the first impression rose to Sam McKinney, who had admittedly been on her mind all night. “I don’t always pick the right men but there’s something in my gut that’s just telling me there’s something here,” Tran told Sam. M. “I’m really excited about it and really excited to get to know you more. I can’t stop thinking about you.” After Sam accepted the rose, Tran gave him her first (and only) kiss of the night, which she hilariously described as “feral.”

Want to know more about Sam M? Be sure to read Decider’s in-depth contestant explainer, which includes Sam’s bio, Instagram account, a recap of his first night on the show, and insight into his remaining time on the season.

Who Went Home On The Bachelorette Season 21 Premiere? Week 1 Rose Ceremony Recap

So who got the rest of Tran’s Night 1 roses? And which men went home early in the journey? Here are the seven men who went home during The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere:

• Brendan, 30, a real estate broker from Vancouver, British Columbia
• Brett, 28, a health & safety manager from Manheim, Penn.
• Dakota, 27, a sommelier from Paradise Valley, Ariz.
• Kevin, 35, a financial analyst from Denver, Colo.
• Matt, 27, an insurance executive from Atlanta, Ga.
• Moze, 25, an algebra teacher from Albany, N.Y.
• Ricky, 28, a pharmaceutical representative from Miami, Fla.

After her first round of goodbyes, Tran shed a few tears over finally feeling like the main character in her love story and announced an “unprecedented” twist: The group is headed to Australia for Episode 2!

See you next week with another exciting Bachelorette recap, mates!

New episodes of The Bachelorette Season 21 premiere Mondays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC with next-day streaming on Hulu. Be sure to read Decider’s pre-premiere interview with Jenn Tran for a preview of the season ahead.