MYRTLE BEACH — After a night of taking shots with the Bachelorette, receiving praise for his Southern charm and initiating the “feral” first kiss of the season, Myrtle Beach “Bachelorette” contestant Sam McKinney received lead Jenn Tran’s First Impression Rose.
McKinney, a 27-year-old contractor who grew up playing baseball and football at Socastee High School, made waves during the Season 21 premiere on July 8.
A self-proclaimed “softie,” McKinney revealed that he had been single for a year before the show’s filming following his ex-fiancée’s infidelity. Now, he said he’s ready for a second chance at lifetime love — and it seems like Tran might want to take him up on it.
“I couldn’t stop thinking about you all night,” Tran told McKinney at the end of the night, rose in hand. “I don’t always pick the right men, but there’s something in my gut that’s telling me there’s something here, and I’m really excited about it.”
The First Impression Rose, which goes to the contestant the lead most gravitates toward after the first night, held even more significance during the Season 21 premiere, as Tran held off on kissing any contestants until the very end of the episode. Not only did McKinney get the first rose, but he also got the first kiss of the season — and Tran had rave reviews.
“The kiss is feral, I think. The kiss was really, really good,” said Tran, who earlier revealed that she had always wanted to date a “sexy cowboy” like Sam. “I feel like I made the right decision in waiting, because this was the kiss that’s been building up all night. Definitely worth the wait.”
McKinney’s stellar first night puts him in a good spot for the rest of the season. According to US Weekly, 11 total first impression rose recipients in “Bachelor” and “Bachelorette” history have become engaged to the lead by the end of the season. Time will tell if McKinney’s Southern charm will land him an engagement to Tran in September.
