Gavin Casalegno on Jeremiah backlash in The Summer I Turned Pretty

Gavin Casalegno says the online backlash to his The Summer I Turned Pretty character Jeremiah is largely a byproduct of a fictional story and not a reflection of who he is in real life. In a recent interview, the actor acknowledged that Jeremiah has become one of the internet’s most discussed values in Season 3, yet he stressed that the character’s missteps—particularly a recent act of infidelity—do not define him personally. He noted that he avoids most social media and only sees the memes his sister sends, framing the reaction as “pretty comical” while underscoring the distinction between art and life.

Season 3 of the Amazon Prime series centers on Belly’s engagement to Jeremiah amid a volatile love triangle that has long divided fans. The show, adapted from Jenny Han’s best-selling book trilogy, follows Belly and two brothers, Jeremiah and Conrad Briney, who are both in love with her. Jeremiah’s portrayal as a party-leaning, immature figure has sparked a flood of memes and criticisms online, with many viewers expressing allegiance to Conrad. The dynamic has become a defining feature of this season’s storytelling and audience engagement, amplified by viral moments around...