Wild and Surprising Facts About The Summer I Turned Pretty

The Summer I Turned Pretty: Fun Facts and Behind-the-Scenes Secrets Fans Can't Stop Talking About

Every summer, there’s that one show that completely takes over your TikTok FYP. In 2022, that crown went to The Summer I Turned Pretty. On the surface, it’s a swoony love triangle where Belly (played by Lola Tung) tries to figure out if she’s Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah. But the real fun? It’s tucked in the behind-the-scenes trivia, author cameos, and Easter eggs that fans obsess over online.

So, let’s dive into the quirkiest, most surprising, and most culture-shaping facts about this teen drama sensation.

Zoom Chemistry Test That Changed Everything

Lola Tung and Chris Briney (aka Belly and Conrad) didn’t even meet in person before they were cast. Their chemistry test happened over Zoom in 2021, thanks to pandemic restrictions. Somehow, that awkward digital read-through turned into pure sparks. If you’ve ever tried flirting through a glitchy webcam, you know it’s basically a superpower.

Lola Tung's On-Set Mishap

In the very first episode’s flashback scene, Tung fractured her foot. Instead of pausing production, she powered through, even filming some shots in a medical boot. If you rewatch closely, you can sometimes spot it. Talk about a hardcore debut for her first-ever acting gig.

Cousins Beach Isn't Real

Sorry to crush the illusion, but Cousins Beach—the dreamy Massachusetts escape where everything goes down—doesn’t exist. The series films in Wilmington, North Carolina, which has a rep as the teen drama capital of TV (it’s where One Tree Hill and Dawson’s Creek also filmed). Wilmington locals are basically living in a permanent YA novel.

Jenny Han's Cameo Tradition

Jenny Han, the author of the original books, treats every season like a personal Easter egg hunt. In Season 1 she pops up at the debutante ball, in Season 2 she’s at a gas station, and now fans are betting where she’ll show up in Season 3. It’s giving “Stan Lee in Marvel movies” energy, but make it teen romance.

The Debutante Ball Wasn't in the Books

That entire debutante ball storyline? Jenny Han created it just for the show. In the novels, Belly still wrestles with growing up, but the ball gave the adaptation a more visual, dramatic way to show her transition into womanhood. Plus, it delivered the kind of slow-dance scene fans replay endlessly.

Taylor Swift and Belly's Glow-Up

When the first trailer dropped, it featured This Love (Taylor’s Version), turning Cousins Beach into instant Swiftie territory. The music and show fandoms blended overnight. On TikTok, edits of Belly and Conrad are often paired with Taylor tracks like Cruel Summer or You Are In Love. Honestly, it feels like Taylor’s discography was made for YA romance angst.

Nostalgia Overdrive

Even though it’s aimed at Gen Z, millennials can’t resist recutting TSITP scenes with early 2000s songs. Picture Belly walking into the debutante ball with Hilary Duff’s Come Clean blasting. Or Conrad brooding to Dashboard Confessional. It’s fan-made proof that this series is the modern-day heir to The OC and Gossip Girl.

Lola Tung's Big Break

Here’s the wildest fact: this was Tung’s first professional acting role. She was a college student at Carnegie Mellon when she got the call, and she actually took a year off school to film. That leap of faith paid off—now she’s one of Prime Video’s fastest-rising stars.

Amazon's Instant Confidence

Amazon Prime was so hyped about the series that it renewed Season 2 before Season 1 even aired. Nine days before, to be exact. That’s almost unheard of in today’s cancel-happy streaming world. Clearly, Cousins Beach was destined to become a binge-worthy destination.

Why Fans Stick Around

Yes, the love triangle is the main drama, but fans stay because the show feels like a vibe. It’s nostalgic, dreamy, and chaotic in ways that spark endless online debates. Add in quirky touches—like Belly dating both brothers—and it becomes self-aware enough to fuel memes without taking itself too seriously.

The Summer I Turned Pretty is part romance, part coming-of-age story, and part pop culture event. It’s not just about who Belly ends up with; it’s about how every summer at Cousins Beach becomes a communal experience for fans. From author cameos to Taylor Swift drops, it has a way of pulling everyone into its world, whether you’re 16 or reliving your own teen drama memories.

Stay connected with more entertainment deep dives at Woke Waves Magazine, where pop culture meets Gen Z’s endless curiosity.

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