The Bachelorette host Jesse Palmer has reacted to Jenn Tran sending her ex-boyfriend Matt Rossi home and how he thinks Matt handled the rejection.

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On The Bachelorette's July 29 episode, Matt -- who had traveled all the way to New Zealand on his own dime, according to Jesse -- told Jenn, a longtime friend whom he had dated for several months a few years ago, that he still loved her and wanted to win her back.

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Jenn allowed Matt to attend the cocktail party preceding the fifth Rose Ceremony of her The Bachelorette season, but she sent Matt packing and did not let him join her cast of bachelors, who were ultimately impressed and relieved by Jenn's decision.

"That was a very symbolic moment for Jenn on her journey because she now is starting to put herself first and seize her own power in relationships," Jesse told Entertainment Weekly of Jenn.

Although Jenn broke Matt's heart, the 28-year-old Boston-based beer salesman and content creator held his head up high and apologized to Jenn's bachelors before leaving the show.

"I did come here on my own volition, but she let me know her future is in this room," Matt explained in a soft voice.

"She feels confident that you guys can offer her something I can't, and I'm just here to apologize. I'm not here to take anything away from your experience. I wish you all the best, and I wish Jenn the best."

Jesse said he thought it "was very brave" of Matt to approach Jenn's cast of suitors like that.

"I think Matt showed a lot about his character in that moment," Jesse shared with EW.

"Speaking to the men was an ultimate sign of respect towards them and their journey with Jenn. I commend Matt for what he did."

Matt and Jenn dated when they both lived in Boston prior to Jenn's move to Miami, FL, for PA school.

"He ended it," Jenn confirmed during a recent appearance on "The Viall Files."

Jenn shared while filming The Bachelorette in April that she and Matt -- who was a self-described "f-ckboy" when he and Jenn first dated -- had reconnected as friends and were hanging out platonically for a while.

While Jenn had friend-zoned Matt, he told The Bachelorette cameras, "We were in love, and I think a part of us will always be in love, and for me, it's just never been so strong. I think me being here... [is] proving to her how much she means to me and how seriously I'm taking this."

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Jenn admitted to Nick Viall on his podcast that she was "confused" by Matt's heartfelt speech because they were never in love, at least in her opinion.

Jenn was also a bit frustrated because Matt had "so many chances" to declare his love or make a move on her before she began her journey on The Bachelor franchise.

When Matt attempted to win Jenn back, he insisted that he was ready to get engaged.

Matt told Jenn that the previous three months felt "different" to him, adding, "I feel like we've been able to connect on a deeper level. You are one of the most important people in my life, and you know me better than anyone else in the world. I'm not ready to let it all go."

Jenn replied, "You know you could've said this before I left."

"I did say it," Matt countered. "But I didn't say it as grandly as this, I guess. It's not the first time I've said this, and I really hope it's not the last: but I really do love you."

Matt continued, "My intentions are to be with you, and I want to continue this journey together... I would love to join [your cast] for me to prove to you how much you mean to me."

Jenn took a few hours to process things. Jenn had already developed strong feelings for many of her bachelors, and she was afraid how Matt's presence may stir up drama or upset them.

When Jenn and Matt reunited at the cocktail party, Jenn explained how Matt had touched her heart but she didn't understand why he had waited so long to say something about his feelings for her.

"It's now or never. You're leaving this thing engaged, and there's no flexibility there... Us coming back together, I saw things in you that made [my feelings] so deep," Matt explained to Jenn.

"When we were starting out, we were such different people and not the adults we are today... I hope you can see how much you mean to me. I'm just not ready to let it go."

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Jenn told Matt that she really cared about him and they had fun together. Jenn knew they were compatible, but she clearly didn't think he was going to be The One for her.

Jenn subsequently broke the news to her bachelors that she had denied Matt the chance to enter the competition, and Sam McKinney declared how he was happy that Matt was staying in the past.

Matt admittedly felt "a little defeated" about Jenn's decision and how her time on The Bachelorette had changed her.

"I have to respect that," he noted. "At least we both get the closure we didn't get. It's just not what I hoped for."

Click here to read episode-by-episode spoilers about how the rest of Jenn's The Bachelorette season unfolds, including who Jenn picks as her winner and runner-up.

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About The Author: Elizabeth Kwiatkowski

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