Jeremiah Fisher vs. Team Conrad:
Since season two, viewers have drawn a sharp line between Jeremiah and his older brother Conrad (played by Christopher Briney), both of whom are vying for the affection of Isabel “Belly” Conklin (Lola Tung). While Conrad often gets labeled the brooding heartthrob, Jeremiah is painted as the fun-loving but immature younger brother. For many fans online, that immaturity has turned him into the butt of memes, jokes, and viral TikTok sounds.
“They tend to dislike him, yes,” Casalegno told The New York Times. “I don’t check Instagram anymore, so I haven’t seen that much hate. The only thing I see is my sister sending me the memes, which are actually really funny.”
The Meme Machine:
This season, Jeremiah’s quirks have fueled a wave of internet trolling:
His questionable dance moves turned into viral edits.
A rant about wedding cake became a TikTok audio clip.
Fans frequently roast him for lying or being the “frat boy” of the series
Casalegno admitted that while the memes can be brutal, he finds them more comical than insulting. “It’s important to realize this is a fictional story, and it’s not me,” he said.
Prime Video Steps In:
The flood of online hate has been so intense that Prime Video issued a statement ahead of the new season asking fans to keep conversations respectful: “Cousins is our safe place. Everything good, everything magical. Let’s keep the conversation kind this summer.”
Casalegno praised the move but acknowledged that it didn’t do much to slow down the backlash. “I don’t think any human can carry that kind of negativity. That’s why Amazon was right to step in. But honestly, it hasn’t really gone so well.”
The Actor vs. The Character:
Casalegno has been quick to draw a line between himself and Jeremiah. While fans may love to hate his character, the actor insists it hasn’t affected him personally.
“I honestly haven’t even really watched much of the show,” he admitted. “When you’re in it, you already know what’s happening. At the end of the day, it’s work, it’s a dream job, but still work.” Still, he remains grateful for the role. From the moment he first read the script, Casalegno knew Jeremiah would be a fun character to bring to life. “It felt like sunshine and golden retriever vibes,” he recalled. “I wasn’t wrong, it’s been amazing.”
Jeremiah’s Current Standing:
Despite online criticism, Jeremiah is winning within the show’s storyline. As of season three, Belly and Jeremiah are engaged, and much of the plot revolves around their upcoming wedding, a twist that has only deepened the divide between “Team Conrad” and “Team Jeremiah.”For Casalegno, that messy dynamic is exactly why the show works. The Summer I Turned Pretty thrives on passionate fans who pick sides, debate plot twists, and meme every moment.
Conclusion:
Being “the internet’s most hated boyfriend” hasn’t discouraged Gavin Casalegno. If anything, he’s embraced the humor and kept perspective on the backlash, knowing that Jeremiah Fisher is just a role, not a reflection of who he is.
As the series heads toward its final season, Jeremiah may continue to split fans down the middle. But for Casalegno, the noise is part of the job: a sign of just how deeply The Summer I Turned Pretty has captured audiences.
