Gavin Casalegno Responds to ‘The Summer I Turned Pretty’ Jeremiah Hate: Navigating Fan Backlash in 2025
In the summer of 2025, The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 has taken the internet by storm, reigniting passionate debates among fans over the love triangle between Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung) and the Fisher brothers, Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). However, it’s Casalegno’s character, Jeremiah, who has become the internet’s lightning rod for criticism, earning the dubious title of “most hated boyfriend” due to his actions in the show’s final season. As social media platforms like X and TikTok buzz with memes and heated discourse, Casalegno has broken his silence, addressing the “Jeremiah hate” with a mix of humor, perspective, and a plea for fans to separate fiction from reality. This article explores the reasons behind the backlash, Casalegno’s response, the cultural impact of the show in the US, and the broader implications for actors navigating fan reactions in 2025’s hyper-connected world.
The Jeremiah Hate: Why Fans Are Up in Arms
The Summer I Turned Pretty, adapted from Jenny Han’s bestselling trilogy, centers on Belly’s romantic entanglements with the Fisher brothers in the idyllic setting of Cousins Beach. Season 3, which premiered on Amazon Prime Video in July 2025, focuses on Belly and Jeremiah’s engagement, a plot point that has intensified the “Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah” divide among fans. The tipping point for many came in Episode 7, aired on August 15, 2025, when Jeremiah’s infidelity with Lacie Barone (Lily Donoghue) during his bachelor party is revealed, leading to a dramatic confrontation with Belly on the beach. This betrayal, coupled with earlier fan criticisms of Jeremiah’s “frat boy” behavior and perceived manipulative tendencies, has fueled a wave of online vitriol.
Social media has amplified the backlash. A viral TikTok meme featuring Jeremiah whining about a mirror-glazed wedding cake became a lightning rod, while even brands like Delta Air Lines joined the fray, jokingly assigning Jeremiah the “toilet seat” in a post. On X, fans have called Jeremiah “controlling” and “immature,” with some posts suggesting his vulnerability is a calculated manipulation tactic. Yet, a minority defend him, arguing that his growth and support for Belly make him redeemable, highlighting the polarized nature of the fandom. The show’s global viewership, with 25 million tuning in for the Season 3 premiere, has only magnified these debates, making Jeremiah a trending topic.
Gavin Casalegno’s Response: “It’s a Fictional Story”
In a candid interview with The New York Times published on August 22, 2025, Gavin Casalegno, the 25-year-old actor behind Jeremiah Fisher, addressed the fan hate head-on, describing the experience as “pretty comical.” He acknowledged the negativity but revealed he’s largely insulated from it, stating, “I don’t check Instagram anymore, so I really haven’t seen that much hate. The only thing that I see is my sister sending me the memes that are really funny.” Casalegno emphasized the importance of distinguishing between himself and his character, saying, “I think it’s important to also understand and realize that this is a fictional story—and it’s also not me.”
He further clarified differences between himself and Jeremiah, noting that while both are social and outgoing, he considers himself more mature, distancing himself from Jeremiah’s party-heavy persona. “As far as the immature side of things and the partying, I was never a partier. It’s not who I am at all,” he told The New York Times. Casalegno also admitted that the hate was “tough at first” but now sees it as a sign of fans’ emotional investment in the show, a perspective he shared with E! News and the New York Post.
Interestingly, Casalegno revealed he doesn’t watch the show himself, explaining, “I honestly haven’t even really watched any of the show. Because, you know, when you’re in it, you know what’s happening. And so it’s like: why?” This detachment may help him maintain perspective amid the fan frenzy.
Amazon’s Attempt to Curb Bullying
Recognizing the potential for fan passion to spill into toxicity, Amazon Prime Video took proactive steps before Season 3’s premiere on July 14, 2025. The show’s official social media accounts posted a public service announcement (PSA) urging fans to “keep the conversation kind this summer” and outlining a “zero tolerance policy” for bullying, hate speech, or targeting cast and crew. The guidelines explicitly warned against harassment or doxxing, with violators facing bans from the show’s online community.
However, Casalegno noted that these efforts haven’t been entirely effective, stating, “I don’t think there’s a single human being in the world who can carry the emotional negativity to the degree that stuff like this happens. And I think that’s why Amazon did a good job of stepping in and being like, ‘Hey, no bullying.’ Though, not really going so well.” Some fans have crossed lines, confronting Casalegno in person to express their dislike for Jeremiah, which he finds “comical” but indicative of blurred boundaries between actor and role.
Cultural Context: Why the Hate Resonates in 2025
The intensity of the Jeremiah hate reflects broader cultural trends in the US, where social media amplifies fan reactions and shapes narratives around TV shows. The Summer I Turned Pretty has become a cultural juggernaut, with Season 3 drawing triple the viewership of its pilot, making it Amazon Prime’s top global show. Its focus on messy, relatable relationships resonates with Gen Z and millennial audiences navigating love and identity in a polarized digital age. The “Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah” debate mirrors real-world fandom dynamics, where fans project personal values onto fictional characters, often escalating into online pile-ons.
Casalegno’s experience also highlights the challenges actors face in 2025’s hyper-connected world. Social media platforms like X allow fans to voice opinions instantly, but they also foster toxicity when boundaries blur. Reddit users on r/TheSummerITurnedPrett noted that Casalegno’s public defense of Jeremiah in past interviews may have fueled conflation between actor and character, exacerbating the hate. Meanwhile, a controversial Dunkin’ Donuts ad featuring Casalegno calling himself the “king of summer” drew additional criticism for promoting Eurocentric beauty standards, further complicating his public image.
The Bigger Picture: Actors and Fandom in the Digital Age
Casalegno’s response underscores a critical issue for actors: how to navigate fan backlash without internalizing it. By stepping away from Instagram and focusing on the fictional nature of his role, he models resilience in the face of online hate. His comments echo those of other actors, like The Last of Us star Bella Ramsey, who have faced similar fan-driven criticism for character actions. In 2025, with platforms like X amplifying every opinion, actors must balance engagement with self-preservation, a challenge Casalegno seems to handle with humor and perspective.
The Jeremiah hate also raises questions about storytelling in teen dramas. Unlike idealized romances, The Summer I Turned Pretty embraces flawed characters, which Casalegno defends as intentional. “You’re not supposed to love every decision he makes,” he told the New York Post, noting that playing a complex character has helped him grow as an actor. This approach aligns with 2025’s trend toward authentic, messy narratives that reflect real-life complexities, even if they spark divisive reactions.
What’s Next for Casalegno and the Show?
With the The Summer I Turned Pretty finale set for September 17, 2025, fans are eager to see if Jeremiah can redeem himself or if Belly will pivot back to Conrad, who confessed his love in Episode 7. While Amazon has not confirmed a Season 4, Jenny Han’s source material suggests more story to tell, and Casalegno remains optimistic about his character’s arc, viewing the hate as proof of the show’s impact.
Casalegno, who married Cheyanne King in 2024, continues to build his career, with a role in the upcoming biographical film Queen of the Ring about wrestler Mildred Burke. Despite the backlash, he remains grateful for the show, telling The New York Times that playing Jeremiah, with his “sunshine and golden retriever vibes,” was a dream role.
Conclusion
Gavin Casalegno’s response to the Jeremiah hate reflects a mature approach to navigating fandom’s highs and lows in 2025. By emphasizing the fictional nature of The Summer I Turned Pretty and maintaining a sense of humor, he’s weathering a storm that highlights the power—and pitfalls—of fan culture in the digital age. As the show heads toward its finale, the debate over Jeremiah’s actions will likely intensify, but Casalegno’s call for kindness and perspective serves as a reminder: it’s just a story, and the real-world impact on actors deserves consideration. For US fans caught up in the drama, the takeaway is clear—love or hate Jeremiah, let’s keep the conversation kind.