Summer season I Turned Fairly Star Jackie Chung Unpacks Stomach, Laurel’s Rift

[This story contains spoilers for The Summer I Turned Pretty season three, episode four, titled “Last Stand.”]

It’s most likely protected to say this summer time to this point has been messy, tense and really drama-filled, at the very least for the Fisher and Conklin households.

4 episodes into the third and remaining season of Prime Video‘s The Summer season I Turned Fairly and there have already been dishonest allegations towards Jeremiah (because it’s nonetheless unclear if he and Stomach have been on a break or not), a near-fatal automobile crash involving Steven (Sean Kaufman) and an abrupt engagement that’s led to a household rift. And that’s all along with the continued love triangle between Stomach (Lola Tung), Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno) and Conrad (Christopher Briney) as followers patiently wait to see who finally ends up collectively on the finish of the season.

As of episode 4, Stomach and Laurel are at present estranged as her mother doesn’t agree together with her daughter and Jeremiah getting married so younger, a lot in order that Laurel has threatened to not attend the marriage. And Jackie Chung, who is aware of Laurel greatest after taking part in her for 3 seasons, sees the place her character is coming from, telling The Hollywood Reporter, “I really feel like Laurel isn’t even being that prescriptive, she’s simply being like, ‘Preserve an open thoughts, like, maintain your alternatives open.’”

Beneath, Chung unpacks the wild first 4 episodes of season three, Laurel’s and Stomach’s newest rift, Jeremiah and Stomach’s engagement and her ideas on the “we have been on a break” debate. She additionally teases what followers can anticipate for the remainder of the ultimate season.

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What do you make of season three total, as you put together to deliver this sequence to an in depth with this remaining season? 

I really feel like this season has been such an evolution for the present, prefer it’s grown a lot. All of the characters have grown, and so they proceed to develop all through the season, so I feel it’s actually thrilling to have been there on the very begin of it and to see it by to this third season. 

Going again to episode one, Laurel instructed Stomach to discover and discover herself in school. Quick-forward to episode 4, after the time bounce, viewers now see that Stomach actually hasn’t accomplished that, being so wrapped up in her relationship with Jeremiah. Do you assume Laurel is beginning to acknowledge that too? 

I don’t learn about you, however I bear in mind once I was graduating highschool and there have been people who have been in relationships, some folks simply broke up earlier than school began as a result of they have been like, no, there’s gonna be new folks, new experiences. And Laurel clearly has lived by that point and is aware of that there’s a lot development that occurs and there’s a lot life to discover, like on-campus life, off-campus life. And I feel she was actually simply hoping that Stomach would make the most of that, however understanding behind her thoughts that having her boyfriend proper there would make it arduous to do this. For certain, when the engagement information got here out, she was like, oh, that is what I feared a little bit bit, that you’d maintain your world very small when you might have the chance to let it develop. 

There was loads of on-line commentary about that heated lunch scene, when Stomach reveals her engagement to Jeremiah, together with the ring measurement. What was your response when Stomach held up her hand in that scene?

I used to be absolutely in Laurel mode. I wasn’t even that ring. All I noticed was a finger with one thing on it in my face [Laughs], and pondering, “Oh no, oh no, no, no, no. It’s essential take that off.” I feel it’s a fantastic ring. I really feel like every engagement ring is absolutely extra in regards to the feeling behind it and never in regards to the measurement. I really feel like that’s not the necessary a part of it. So in that second, I feel Laurel was simply not seeing something. 

Laurel additionally usually sticks up for the boys when Adam (Tom Everett Scott) places them down; nonetheless, she doesn’t stick up for Jeremiah at that lunch when Adam talks right down to him. Why do you assume that’s? 

Effectively they’re all there for a household lunch, celebrating the lifetime of her greatest, greatest good friend and soulmate, Susannah. So I feel you’ll be able to see at first of that lunch, Adam is taking digs at Laurel. However she’s holding her composure and attempting to maintain it civil as a result of they’re there for celebration, and Adam at all times says issues, so she has to only ignore it. And so I feel in that vein, she was simply attempting to maintain it civil. I imply, clearly, we noticed what occurred on the finish of the lunch, however to have them have the chance to have a joyous lunch collectively and to let these little digs simply go. 

Although Laurel is so towards this wedding ceremony, she additionally doesn’t know that Jeremiah doubtlessly cheated on Stomach. If she knew, what do you assume her response can be?

I don’t even know if she wants any extra gas for her fireplace [Laughs]. With out understanding the specifics, I really feel like she might perceive either side. They’re nonetheless younger, like issues occur, and she or he’s recognized him so lengthy. She loves Jeremiah, like he’s a part of her family. I don’t assume that data would assist, however actually, simply Stomach not residing out her full school life potential is sufficient for Laurel to be towards the marriage. 

What are your ideas on the entire “we have been on a break” debate? 

I really feel prefer it’s unclear that it was a full, full breakup. So it might go both manner, however what occurred was very shortly after that vast struggle, so perhaps play it protected. However while you’re that age, you’re not at all times making the very best selections and so, you recognize, it occurred. 

Having performed Stomach’s mother for 3 seasons now, what was it like having one other Laurel and Stomach estrangement once more after season two? 

I do know it’s arduous. I truly love the scene with Stomach and Laurel in episode three, the place they’re going by the images for the dedication. As a result of it’s one scene the place you see them connecting a lot and having such a very good time collectively and sharing laughs collectively, and so it was good to carry on to that, understanding this rift was gonna come, as a result of it’s unhappy. It’s unhappy that Stomach doesn’t have her mother together with her for all these rites of passage and momentous moments, main up post-engagement. And Laurel loves her and desires to be there for her, however I feel she’s approaching it the one manner she is aware of how and taking a tough line, and hoping that Stomach will come round. 

In episode 4, throughout Laurel and Stomach’s struggle within the hallway, Laurel says she’s not going to attend the marriage both manner. Why do you assume Laurel is so adamant about utilizing threats to try to cease the marriage? 

I really feel like when your baby is off at school… I imply, once I was off at school, I wasn’t at all times calling my mother and father and updating them on what’s occurring, you recognize, so Laurel would examine in. However I really feel prefer it was simply such a shock, the engagement. Clearly, she knew they have been collectively for a bunch of years, however I don’t assume she was ever anticipating that that might occur. And I feel the way in which that dialog occurred with Jeremiah there and Stomach there and form of placing her on the spot, she simply felt a lot stress, a lot in order that she couldn’t even sit, prefer it simply was effervescent and she or he needed to take away herself. I feel she didn’t wish to explode once more in entrance of them, however then when Stomach pushed her, it’s simply the way it got here out. I feel she does attempt to be a very good communicator, however generally she isn’t the very best. 

Although Stomach is now 21, I seen Laurel retains telling her that she’s nonetheless a child. Why do you assume that’s, and do you assume Laurel is struggling to let her daughter develop up? 

That’s most likely a part of it. That’s her youthful baby, that’s her child. So there most likely is a little bit little bit of that, like it’s arduous to let her go. But in addition recognizing that life is lengthy and within the span of it, 21 continues to be fairly early on in there to be making big, big life selections. Actually from Laurel’s perspective, abruptly, like simply deciding to get married with none dialogue with Laurel earlier than about it. 

Laurel additionally opens up in episode 4 about some private guilt and struggles she’s nonetheless going through, after getting married and having children at a youthful age. Will viewers perhaps get to see Laurel heal these elements of herself later this season? 

I feel so, yeah. That’s the opposite joyous factor about this present is that you just see the adults, the grown-ups, actually nonetheless fighting who they’re and who they have been prior to now and coping with it and attempting to maneuver ahead from it, as a result of that’s life. It’s a continuing evolution and transition from totally different eras of your life. 

In previous seasons, Susannah (Rachel Blanchard) was at all times the one who mentioned she knew Stomach would find yourself with considered one of her boys. Nonetheless, I really feel like Laurel by no means reacted a lot to that remark. Do you assume she needs Stomach to finish up with Conrad or Jeremiah, or somebody solely totally different? 

Once more, I really feel like Laurel thinks that this can be a large second in Stomach’s life to determine who she is and to only discover all her choices. I feel after Stomach has some experiences, if she comes again to considered one of them when she actually is aware of who she is and what she needs and what she needs out of a relationship, if a type of is true, then it’s nice. And if not, then that’s additionally nice. She actually is simply absolutely, absolutely staff Stomach. 

As a real-life mother, does that influence the way in which you method being a mother within the present? Like, do you resonate with Laurel and her reactions?

It resonates with me being a mom and the way deeply Laurel cares about her kids. I would in my life take totally different ways [Laughs], however my children are nonetheless younger, so I don’t know. Perhaps by the point they’re of their early 20s and so they’re not listening to me, I would simply shout and shout. However I feel any mum or dad actually does simply need the very best for his or her children, and perhaps their concept of what’s greatest for them doesn’t align with what the child thinks. However I really feel like Laurel isn’t even being that prescriptive, she’s simply being like, “Preserve an open thoughts, like, maintain your alternatives open.” 

As soon as this season involves an finish, what are you going to overlook probably the most in regards to the present and taking part in Laurel?

I’m simply gonna miss the time with this group of individuals, the forged and the crew. I do really feel like we constructed a household, and it’s at all times pretty to be with them. And I’m simply gonna miss spending time with them on set and off. 

After a lot drama within the first 4 episodes, what are you able to tease about what followers can anticipate for the remainder of season three?

They’re in for extra of the curler coaster that they’ve already gotten on with the primary 4 episodes, and I hope they simply love watching it. I simply hope they’ve a very good time. I really feel like Jenny [Han, creator,] is aware of her followers, and so I feel among the issues that they’re in search of will probably be there, after which there’ll be different surprises, and so I simply hope that they take pleasure in it and get what they need out of it. 

Are you aware how the season ends and who Stomach in the end chooses?

I don’t. I’m simply gonna be watching [Laughs]. 

If creator-author Jenny Han got here to you with an concept, might you see your self reprising your character Laurel in a possible spinoff, perhaps a prequel sequence centered on the mother and father? 

Yeah, I’d. I like Laurel, and I’d positively be open if Jenny had some grand plan for one thing else. 

Forward of the season premiere, Prime Video shared a message prohibiting any bullying or hate speech directed on the forged or crew. Seeing how passionate followers get relating to this story and these characters, what’s your response to that?

It’s unimaginable. I by no means imagined that the present would have the response that it’s gotten, and that individuals can be so invested and so excited to share all their theories and opinions about all the pieces [Laughs]. It’s fascinating to look at, ‘trigger generally they’re like, “Oh, I noticed this little nugget,” and I’m like, “Oh, I didn’t even discover that. Like, wow, you guys are actually dissecting this.” However I’ll say it’s arduous. Like, I’m a viewer of reveals and I get invested and have opinions, however I’ve to recollect, it’s only a present and these are actors and so they didn’t write it. They’re simply bringing it to life, I suppose, so successfully that individuals really feel so obsessed with it. However I hope followers take pleasure in it and might simply maintain an open thoughts and coronary heart for all of the folks: the forged, crew, Jenny, all people behind it, the writers, that they put a lot care and thought and love into making this season and this present. 

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Season three of The Summer season I Turned Fairly is at present streaming on Prime Video, with new episodes dropping on Wednesdays.