Jenn Tran cannot escape thinking about being the first Asian lead in the history of “The Bachelor” franchise — not that she wants to.

The creator of “The Bachelor” has exited the reality TV franchise more than two decades after the iconic dating show launched.

Colton Underwood, the former football tight end who found fame on Season 23 of “The Bachelor” has revealed that he is gay.

During the “After the Final Rose” special, he revealed that he had broken up with her after the controversy came to light. It's tough to judge whether Harrison's absence had any impact on the “After the Final Rose” ratings, because ABC hadn't done one of those specials since 2018. CBS won the week in the ratings, with an average of 4.5 million viewers in prime time. “The Bachelor,” ABC, 6.1 million. “The Bachelor: After the Final Rose,” ABC, 5.67 million.

In a new statement posted Saturday, Feb. 13, 2021 Harrison apologized again for defending the actions by a contestant that many consider offensive. (Photo by Richard Shotwell/Invision/AP, File)Chris Harrison, host of “The Bachelor,” says he is stepping down from his TV role and is “ashamed” for his handling of a swirling racial controversy at the ABC dating show. In a new statement posted Saturday, Harrison apologized again for defending the actions by a contestant that are considered offensive. Harrison came under fire after an interview on “Extra” when he was asked about racially insensitive past behavior from current “Bachelor” contestant Rachael Kirkconnell. “We all need to have a little grace, a little understanding, a little compassion," he said in the interview.

"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb. (Airbnb.com)"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb. (Airbnb.com)"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb. (Airbnb.com)"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb. (Airbnb.com)"The Bachelor" mansion available for rent on Airbnb.

Trista Sutter started it all. She was its first-ever Bachelorette, accepted the franchise's first-ever proposal when her now-husband, Ryan Sutter, got down on one knee, and tied the knot in its first-ever televised wedding. Trista and Ryan were also the Bachelor franchise's first lasting couple, and they're still going strong, nearly 20 years later. Ryan explained that, when couples find love on The Bachelor or The Bachelorette, they usually don't "walk off the show equally." RELATED CONTENT:Trista Sutter on Kaitlyn Bristowe Saying 'Bachelor' Creator 'Hates Women'Original 'Bachelorette' Trista Sutter Says This Was 'Bachelor' Arie's 'Huge' Mistake (Exclusive)Trista Sutter Recalls Seizing on Top of 8-Year-Old Daughter Blakesley: 'She Was Traumatized'

There's something different about Ben Higgins' relationship with his fiance, Jessica Clarke. "I don't think it would have been that hard two years ago to watch -- I think I could have done it. And though he didn't find lasting love on The Bachelor, Higgins is still grateful for the journey it led him on. "I don't think [I'd be] with my fiance now if the show didn't happen, just because of random circumstances." RELATED CONTENT:Ben Higgins on the 'Weird' Aspect of Opening Up About His Sex Life With Jessica ClarkeBen Higgins on Why He and Jessica Clarke Are Waiting to Have Sex Until MarriageBen Higgins Is Engaged to Girlfriend Jessica Clarke -- See the Photos

LOS ANGELES ABCs fall schedule released Wednesday optimistically details its plans, including a new thriller from the creator of Big Little Lies." I am hopeful that the season will start sometime in late September or early October, said ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke. ABC has backups available if needed, Burke said, including unscripted fare it ordered at the beginning of the shutdown. Jimmy Kimmel, ABCs late-night host, was announced Tuesday as the events emcee and producer. I couldnt be happier with the choice of Matt as The Bachelor. And this is just the beginning," Burke said.

Following a petition urging ABC to address a lack of diversity on its enormously popular reality dating franchise, ABC has cast the first black "Bachelor." "Matt has been on our radar since February, when producers first approached him to join Bachelor Nation, as part of Clare's season," ABC Entertainment President Karey Burke said in a statement. During that time they've cast 40 season leads, yet only one Black lead. And in 45 presidents there's been one black president," Lindsday said. We feel so privileged to have Matt as our first Black Bachelor and we cannot wait to embark on this journey with him.

The Bachelor franchise is ready for change. On Friday, the ABC dating show announced its first black Bachelor, Matt James. James' casting isn't a "cure-all" for the franchise's historic lack of diversity, Mills said. Earlier this week, Lindsay called for the Bachelor franchise to address its "systemic racism." We feel so privileged to have Matt as our first Black Bachelor and we cannot wait to embark on this journey with him."

Tyler Cameron couldn't be more excited for his best friend, Matt James, to find love. The 28-year-old research analyst became the Bachelor franchise's first-ever black lead on Thursday. Matt James is the Bachelor," she exclaimed. #thebachelor pic.twitter.com/yn5Es02mNf Nick Viall (@viallnicholas28) June 12, 2020Here's a look at how other Bachelor Nation alums are reacting:Congrats Matt James! RELATED CONTENT:Who Is Matt James: 5 Things to Know About the First Black 'Bachelor''The Bachelor' Reveals First Black Lead Ever For Season 25Rachel Lindsay on Who Could Be First Black 'Bachelor'

The Bachelor team is making a pledge after casting their first black Bachelor. Following the announcement on Friday that Matt James would be the franchise's first black male lead, executive producers of The Bachelor released a statement addressing the franchise's lack of diversity. "We are excited to move forward with both Matt James as the new Bachelor and Clare Crawley as our next Bachelorette. Host Chris Harrison also took to Instagram, writing, "Congrats Matt James! RELATED CONTENT:Rachel Lindsay Reacts to Matt James' Casting as First Black 'Bachelor'Mike Johnson Reacts to Matt James' 'Bachelor' Casting'Bachelor' Matt James on How Tyler's Mom Nominated Him for the Show

Marquel Martin is speaking out about The Bachelor franchise's lack of diversity. In his post, Martin referenced an open letter he penned back in 2014, after he was passed over to be The Bachelor in favor of Chris Soules. The men both competed on Andi Dorfman's season of The Bachelorette, and while Soules went on to be The Bachelor, Martin appeared on the first season of Bachelor in Paradise. Martin wrote. Referencing his 2014 letter, Martin wrote "race played a big role then, and it still does today."

She told ET that she needs to see a lead of color on The Bachelor for its upcoming season 25. Lindsay remains the only black lead in the Bachelor franchise's 18-year history. As for her other guideline, to "stop creating problematic storylines for people of color," Lindsay had several examples. Since she was cast on Nick Viall's season of The Bachelor, Lindsay said she's been told "everyone wants diversity. RELATED CONTENT:'Bachelor': Sean Lowe Says Producers Need to Cast 'More Black Men'Rachel Lindsay Calls for 'Bachelor' to Acknowledge Systemic RacismRachel Lindsay Says Lack of Black 'Bachelor' Is 'Embarrassing'