The fierce fan rivalry at the heart of the hit show The Summer I Turned Pretty has taken a toll on actor Gavin Casalegno, who plays Jeremiah Fisher. In a recent interview, the 25-year-old actor opened up about the intense online hate he receives from fans on “Team Conrad,” the rival faction supporting the character played by Christopher Briney.
Casalegno, whose character’s storyline in Season 3 has drawn criticism for cheating on the main protagonist, Belly, has been labeled “the internet’s most hated boyfriend.” The actor revealed that he has stopped checking Instagram to avoid the negativity. “I don’t check Instagram anymore, so I really haven’t seen that much hate,” he told The New York Times. “The only thing that I see is my sister sending me the memes that are really funny.”
The show, based on the popular book trilogy, has always had a deeply divided fanbase, but the rivalry has intensified as the series progresses toward its final season. Casalegno, however, maintains a philosophical stance on the matter, reminding fans to separate the character from the person. “I think it’s important to also understand and realize that this is a fictional story—and it’s also not me,” he said.
The show’s official social media accounts have also had to step in, issuing a public service announcement urging fans to “keep the conversation kind this summer” and warning against bullying and hate speech. Casalegno noted that while the effort was appreciated, it “wasn’t really going so well.”