Jenn Tran‘s season of “The Bachelorette” is just getting started, and she’s already developing connections with the men vying for her heart.
Sam McKinney, one of the 25 guys competing on season 21, quickly hit it off with Jenn after stepping out of the limo. At the end of the night, Jenn gave him the first impression rose.
Here’s everything to know about Sam M. and his growing connection with Jenn.
Sam M. is a general contractor from Myrtle Beach, South Carolina
Sam, 27, is one of five children. He attended Socastee High School, where he was on the football, baseball, and wrestling teams. After graduating, he attended Wofford College.
According to his bio on ABC’s website, outside his current work as a contractor, Sam enjoys “riding motorcycles, golfing, and watching ‘Sons of Anarchy.'” Based on his Instagram profile, he seems to be a dog lover, too.
Prior to “The Bachelorette,” Sam was single for almost a year.
During the season premiere, he explained that his fiancé, who he had known since middle school, cheated on him and there was “no repairing that relationship.”
“That was definitely the biggest heartbreak I’ve ever experienced,” he said.
Despite this, Sam is still determined to fulfill his dream of being a husband and father.
Jenn gave Sam her first impression rose after feeling an ‘undeniable connection’
John Fleenor/Disney
Sam doesn’t have an over-the-top limo entrance, but Jenn is immediately taken by his looks and “Southern charm.”
During their one-on-one conversation, the first of the evening, Jenn and Sam bond over their similar approaches to dating; they both value being intentional and vulnerable in relationships.
“Sam M. makes me feel excited,” Jenn says. There’s an undeniable connection and I don’t know what it is. I’m looking at how hot he is and I definitely want to kiss him, but it just doesn’t feel right in that moment.”
After chatting with the other men, Jenn decides to give her first impression rose to Sam, whom she says she couldn’t stop thinking about all night. They share a passionate kiss, making Jenn even more confident in her choice to give him the rose.
“I feel like I’m floating on cloud nine,” she says. “This kiss is feral. The kiss was really, really good. I feel like I made the right decision in waiting because this was the kiss that had been building up all night. Definitely worth the wait.”
New episodes of season 21 of “The Bachelorette” premiere on Mondays on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.
