Urgent Plea from 'The Summer I Turned Pretty' Creators: Protect Our Stars!
The Summer I Turned Pretty: Amazon Prime Show's Lead Actors Hit by Vicious Online Bullying
In a shocking turn of events, the stars of The Summer I Turned Pretty are facing a barrage of abusive messages and death threats from online trolls who seem to have lost all sense of decorum. As season three of the hit coming-of-age series continues to captivate audiences on Amazon Prime, some fans have taken it upon themselves to target the actors with vile comments, blaming them for their characters' actions in the show.
Lola Tung and Gavin Casalegno Receive Harassment
Lead actress Lola Tung, 22, who plays the lovestruck Belly, has been at the receiving end of some particularly nasty messages. Similarly, co-star Gavin Casalegno, who portrays Jeremiah, has also faced a barrage of abuse online. The two actors have been subjected to a torrent of hate mail and death threats, with some fans even going so far as to post disturbing images of women being slapped or choked.
Producers Scramble to Intervene
In an effort to put a stop to the toxic behavior, producers have taken to social media to plead with fans to "act normal" online. The show's official Instagram account posted a stark message, reminding viewers that "the show isn't real but the people playing the characters are." A similar warning was issued ahead of season three's launch, with bosses emphasizing their zero-tolerance policy for bullying and hate speech.
Jenny Han Weighs In
Executive producer Jenny Han, 44, who wrote the bestselling books that inspired the series, has spoken out about the disturbing trend. "I know fans are passionate, but even in jest, posting images of a woman being slapped or choked is not funny," she said. "We need to separate characters from actors and remember that they're human beings doing their job."
Fans Defend Tung and Casalegno
Not all fans have joined the hate-filled chorus, however. Many have come to the defense of the lead actors, praising them for their dedication to their craft. "Separating characters from actors is so important!!!!" wrote one fan on the show's Instagram page. "People are hating on Lola & Gavin so aggressively. It's weird. They are actors... it's a job. If you hate them, they're doing a good job."
The Love Triangle Heats Up
As season three continues to unfold, viewers are witnessing the explosive conclusion of Belly's love triangle with Conrad and Jeremiah. With her junior year at Finch University behind her, Belly is forced to make a difficult choice between the two brothers she loves. Will she choose the brooding Conrad or the charming Jeremiah? Fans will have to wait until September 17 for the final episode to drop.
The Summer I Turned Pretty's Success
Despite the recent online backlash, The Summer I Turned Pretty remains one of Amazon Prime's most popular shows, with an impressive viewer score of 86% on Rotten Tomatoes. One fan raved about the series in a Google review: "I adore this series so much... I only saw it on Prime Video today and watched all 7 episodes in that entire night and went to bed at 6 am but it was totally worth it."
As the drama unfolds, one thing is certain – The Summer I Turned Pretty has captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. But with great success comes great responsibility, and we hope that fans will remember to treat the actors with kindness and respect online.
