September 7, 2022

Gavin Casalegno | Endless Summer

by Eloisa de Farias

GIORGIO ARMANI jacket, shirt, and pants, DOLCE & GABANA shoes, and OMEGA watch.

Falling in love for the first time feels like fireworks, butterflies, canons… or a combination of the three. Gavin Casalegno flawlessly exudes this unequivocal state of being in his charming role as Jeremiah in Amazon Prime’s new series, The Summer I Turned Pretty. The show follows a love triangle between Isabel, or “Belly” (Lola Tung), and her childhood best friends, brothers Jeremiah and Conrad. Meanwhile, fans online have been quick to be passionately opinionated on whether they are team Jeremiah or team Conrad. The Summer I Turned Pretty is not Casalegno’s first foray on the screen. He has been acting from the very young age of seven, and has appeared on hit shows such as The Vampire Diaries, Walker, and I Am…Gabriel. We caught up with the actor about his enticing performance in The Summer I Turned Pretty, as well as nostalgically reflecting on Casalegno’s younger self and various first-time experiences.

DIOR MEN jacket and shirt and OMEGA watch.

When did you first know that you were fated for acting and the screen? Was there a specific moment?

To be honest, there were many times where I didn’t think I was cut out for acting. Every time I tried to get away, God would put me back on track and I would book something! Recently, I was working on the last day of my previous show Walker, and I was watching the sunset at base camp while waiting for a big scene, and something in me just knew I was made for this.

What’s the story behind landing the role of Jeremiah in The Summer I Turned Pretty?

The process of getting Jeremiah was kind of crazy. I taped my interview at 3AM and sent it in. I had mentally moved on after I didn’t hear back for a week, but then I found out I was being pinned for the role. I was so shocked it was actually happening. Next, they had me meet everyone on a Zoom call and do a chemistry read with Lola (which, by the way, was so easy). A week after, I got the news I had booked Jeremiah, which was so surreal!

GUCCI jacket and pants, EMPORIO ARMANI shirt, DOLCE & GABBANA shoes, and OMEGA watch.

What is a lesson you’ve learned that you would offer to your 17-year-old self?

If I were to tell my 17-year-old self anything, it would be to stay true to how you feel. Oftentimes, we try to sugarcoat our thoughts for people to accept them. In reality, people should accept you for who you are. When you are true to who you are, and honest, you don’t end up in any situations you don’t want to be in. You should always stay true to what your heart is telling you.

**MISSONI** sweater and pants, **HERMÈS** turtleneck, **JIMMY CHOO** loafers, and **OMEGA** watch.

The Summer I Turned Pretty involves some intense high school romance—did you have any comparable high school crushes?

What was the story behind your first crush? To be honest, I didn’t have many friends in high school. I did have a high school relationship. It didn’t work out, but I did learn a lot from it. The experience helped me realize that I need to take care of myself just as much as the other person.

**GUCCI** jacket and pants, **EMPORIO ARMANI** shirt, and **OMEGA** watch.

Jenny Han (author of The Summer I Turned Pretty) writes storylines that are centered around young adult development. What do you think your own coming-of-age moment was?

My story is unlike most because my comingof-age story happened when I moved to LA at 17. I had to grow up quickly, but that time taught me a lot of lessons that I think everyone needs to learn. An experience like mine tests if you have what it takes to be an adult and to take care of business.

**LOUIS VUITTON MEN’S** shirt and pants and **OMEGA** watch.

What is the biggest lesson you’ve learned from playing Jeremiah that you hope to take into future roles?

The biggest lesson I learned is how much time it takes to develop and build relationships with everyone on screen. To jump into a life that’s already been living for 15 years is such a fun challenge, and I like to take my time dissecting it!