Inside the Backlash Against ‘Summer I Turned Pretty’ Star Gavin Casalegno
Zoe Bennett, a journalistic expert providing a well-researched, analytical take with key insights and data, delivers an in-depth look at the growing controversy surrounding The Summer I Turned Pretty actor Gavin Casalegno.
The summer of 2024 has been anything but smooth for Gavin Casalegno. The 25-year-old actor, best known for his role as Jeremiah Fisher in Amazon Prime’s hit series The Summer I Turned Pretty, has found himself at the center of a fierce online backlash. As Season 3 of the coming-of-age drama unfolds, fans have taken to social media to vent their frustrations—not just at the character, but directly at the actor himself.
Casalegno recently sat down with the New York Times to address the intense criticism, acknowledging that Jeremiah has become “one of the internet’s most hated boyfriends.” Despite the vitriol, Casalegno claims he doesn’t engage with the negativity, opting out of checking Instagram altogether. Instead, he relies on his sister to send him the more humorous memes inspired by the show’s drama.
“I think it’s important to also understand and realize that this is a fictional story—and it’s also not me,” Casalegno emphasized during the interview. His portrayal of Jeremiah has spanned all three seasons of the series, which is based on Jenny Han’s bestselling book trilogy. The show follows the complex love triangle between Belly (Lola Tung), and brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher.
While Belly initially falls for the brooding Conrad, she ends up in a relationship with the more impulsive and emotionally volatile Jeremiah by the end of Season 2. Season 3 has seen their romance tested through dramatic twists—including a controversial engagement ring made of aluminum foil and a $750 custom wedding cake that becomes a focal point of fan ridicule.
As tensions escalated, Amazon released a public service announcement urging fans to keep the conversation kind, stating, “Cousins is our safe place. Everything good, everything magical.” But the plea did little to curb the outrage. Social media platforms were flooded with scathing critiques, some even bordering on threats against the actor.
One X user wrote, “What episode does he die?” while another TikTok commenter declared, “Jeremiah is NOT a victim here. He’s enjoying the toxic environment he created.” Even co-star Lola Tung felt compelled to speak out, telling Teen Vogue, “Please don’t threaten to kill someone if something doesn’t go your way—I promise you, it’s not that serious.”
Jenny Han, who serves as both author and co-showrunner, also came to Casalegno’s defense in an interview with Elle, expressing her support for the young actor navigating the storm. Meanwhile, Casalegno remains largely detached from the discourse, admitting he hasn’t even watched much of the current season.
“When you’re in it, you know what’s happening,” he explained. “It’s work—an amazing job, a dream job—but still work.”
This level of audience immersion underscores the power of modern streaming culture, where viewers often blur the lines between fiction and reality. It also raises questions about how actors are expected to handle personal attacks over characters they portray—a phenomenon increasingly common in the age of binge-watching and viral fandoms.
As the final season approaches its conclusion on September 17, the pressure on Casalegno and the rest of the cast remains high. Whether the ending will soften hearts or ignite further outrage remains to be seen.
Stay tuned for more updates as this story develops.
Sources: Celebrity Storm and New York Times, Teen Vogue, Elle
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