Since its release on July 16th, TikTok feeds worldwide have been flooded with captivating edits from the hit series The Summer I Turned Pretty. Based on Jenny Han’s best-selling novels, the show has quickly gained a devoted teenage fanbase since its premiere in 2022. Similar to other teen franchises such as Twilight and The Hunger Games, the series features a love triangle, but with a unique twist: the two love interests are brothers.
The family connection adds a layer of drama and fuels heated debates online about which brother is the right choice for the protagonist, Belly. Fans are divided between Jeremiah, the younger, charming, and playful brother, and Conrad, the stoic, intelligent older brother. The show has caused a never-ending debate, with viewers set in their opinions. “I’m definitely Team Conrad,” said junior Vanhlawn Bawr, “he’s way more observant.” While Emily Barnhart, a sophomore, said, “I’m team Jeremiah because he’s way hotter.” The discussion often becomes passionate, with the people on each “team” insistent that their choice is the best, while some viewers argue that Belly should avoid the family drama altogether and find someone new.
The intense online conversations have caused companies such as American Eagle to release merchandise tailored towards the fans. This merchandise features shirts that read “Team Jeremiah” or “Team Conrad,” which has only fueled the rivalry between the two fan groups. However, for many fans, the choice between the two brothers extends beyond the show’s plot or cut shirts, but instead reflects their personal beliefs and non-negotiables when seeking a partner.
For some students at Perry, the answer to the pressing question: “Which brother will lead to happily-ever-after?” Is very obviously Conrad. “He’s very patient, and he tries to find ways to make Belly happy. He’s observant and cares for others,” said senior Ada Von Harten. She says that she can understand why some people are team Jeremiah, but the major difference for Von Harten is that, “Conrad’s just there for her, and you can tell after all this time, he’s still in love with her.” Loyalty and commitment are traits that many fans argue Jeremiah, the other brother,
lacks, having a cheating plotline in the new season. Von Harten said, “You want someone who is loyal to you.” For many Conrad fans, anything less is unacceptable.
Despite this, some fans argue that Jeremiah is by far the better choice. Different priorities about relationships translate into “Conrad is not very cute, in my opinion,” said Barnhart, “but every time I see Jeremiah on my screen, I just think, wow, he’s really cute.”
While there is much debate on the brothers, it seems one thing most fans can agree on is their dislike for the show’s main character, Belly. Many say she is not only annoying but also vindictive in her treatment of the brothers. “I hate Belly. Team Anti-Belly. She’s so annoying,” said junior Jenna Schmidt, “Everything has to be about her, and, like, just use your brain, girl.” The constant switching between the brothers has led to many fans arguing that Belly should move on and leave both brothers alone entirely. “Maybe she should just stay away from the whole family for a while, because what she’s doing right now is just not okay,” said Bawr. With fans united in their frustration, it seems Belly has become the villain of the love triangle.
With the season scheduled to end in September, fans can do little but speculate about the show’s finale. Until then, the fandom remains split, not just over who should win Belly’s heart, but if she deserves their love in the first place.
