Jenn Tran has been named as - but Nick Viall has claimed she was second choice. During the last moments of the final, Jesse Palmer announced 26-year-old Jenn as the leading lady. Speaking after the casting decision, the student gushed: “I feel so, so grateful and so honored, to be the first Asian bachelorette in this franchise.” Clearly emotional, the stunning brunette continued: “I am going to lead my own love story, I am going to be the main character in my story. I just can’t help but think of how many people I’m inspiring.” While many fans were quick to praise the decision, others were left disappointed. And now former Bachelor star Nick Viall has claimed he heard from insiders that Jenn was second choice. Speaking on his podcast The Viall Files, 43-year-old Nick claimed that he had been told that Maria Georgas had been the first choice. He said: “I was told by someone that was told about a week ago that Maria was the Bachelorette.” Nick went on to explain that a couple of hours before the decision was announced, he heard that something had changed and the bachelorette was going to be Jenn. He said: “I heard that Maria was the choice and that they couldn't make it work for reasons that are unclear.” Nick is not the only one who was shocked when Jenn’s name was announced rather than Maria. One fan on
Social Media wrote: "I’m already bored what the hell we were robbed of Maria," while another added: "How do you not pick Maria!!!" A third said: "turned off the tv… maria ur the bachelorette in my heart." However, Maria revealed she was over the
moon with the decision to crown her best mate as the bachelorette. Captioning an
Instagram story of her with Jenn, she wrote: “When I tell you how happy I am for her you best believe it. We were there for each other. Always.” The supportive bestie added: “I’ll be cheering her on every step of the way. She deserves this moment. And it’s HERS. The representation alone is doing so many little girls proud who can look up and see a beautiful Asian woman bless our screens. You go Jenn!!! Go get your man!!!”