Exclusive: The Summer I Turned Pretty Cast Drops Major Clues on Belly’s Final Love Choice on Close Friends

The wait is nearly over! Just two episodes remain of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, and the question fans can’t stop obsessing over is finally closing in: What is Belly’s finale choice: Conrad vs Jeremiah? In a quick Instagram episode of Close Friends Only, the cast may have dropped subtle hints about the finale.

With Lola Tung, Christopher Briney, Gavin Casalegno, Sean Kaufman, and Rain Spencer all seated for a no-filter, rapid-fire round of questions, viewers got more than just laughs. Briney, in classic Conrad fashion, kept things minimal but meaningful; his emoji picks and soft-spoken reflections gave fans something to dissect.

Meanwhile, Casalegno brought that Jeremiah charm, playful and bold, but was he hinting at a fling or the real thing? Tung claimed “chaos” as her Instagram aesthetic, which probably says enough about Belly’s state of mind right now. If you’re team anything right now, this interview could flip your whole prediction upside down.

The Summer I Turned Pretty: Conrad vs Jeremiah Hints Hidden in Cast Emojis

During the Close Friends Only Q&A, a simple, fun question about favorite emojis unexpectedly turned into a quiet reveal of each character’s emotional DNA. Christopher Briney, steady as ever in his portrayal of Conrad, admitted with a chuckle:“I also roll my eyes… a lot [0:36]”.

The eye roll could easily be brushed off as sarcasm, but within the Conrad vs Jeremiah context, it hits differently: frustration, resignation, or a silent critique of his brother’s bold approach to love? And then there’s the salute. Is it a signal of acceptance? A quiet farewell? A symbol of Conrad stepping aside with grace, finally learning to let go of control and maybe, of Belly?

Meanwhile, Gavin Casalegno, who plays the ever-effervescent Jeremiah, answered without hesitation: 

Mine’s definitely the cowboy hat. Yeehaw. Just full defeat energy [0:38].

The emoji is pure Jeremiah: charming, adventurous, maybe even a little unserious. Despite his outward confidence, there’s a lingering doubt. The cowboy rides in bold…but rarely stays. Could Gavin be hinting at Jeremiah’s underlying fear of not being the one Belly ultimately chooses?

The tension between the bro thers has deepened in Season 3, as Belly enjoys her relationship with Jeremiah but begins to feel the gravitational pull of Conrad again, especially after his emotional growth and quiet vulnerability begin to show. These emojis, and the way the actors describe them, eerily reflect that arc.

The Summer I Turned Pretty: Lola Tung’s “We Did That” Comment Hints at Fireworks Ending

When Close Friends Only posed the question about dream acting roles, Gavin Casalegno and Lola Tung delivered a double entendre loaded with foreshadowing: action, with stuff exploding. The former confessed: 

I think action film is dope. Like, run around, stuff exploding, it’d be really fun. And like, love stories are also really cool [8:20].

This is only for Lola to cut in slyly, “But—We did that” [8:31], likely hinting at an action-packed ending to their finale. In stark counterpoint, Christopher Briney’s restrained, grounded reflections embody Conrad’s slow-burn arc this season: steady, deliberate, and charged with quiet tension. His measured approach suggests a smoldering emotional undercurrent, the kind that simmers beneath the surface before demanding attention.

The dream roles they describe aren’t just fantasies; they’re a prism through which the season’s ultimate romantic drama and finale twist come into sharper focus.

Briney’s Behind-the-Scenes Take Makes Conrad’s Arc Hit Harder in TSITP

Conrad From "The Summer I Turned Pretty" Season 3 Episode 9 "Last Call"
The Summer I Turned Pretty | Credit: Prime Video

Christopher Briney’s reflections during Close Friends Only probably offer a candid glimpse into both his personal approach and Conrad’s emotional journey in The Summer I Turned Pretty. When asked about what keeps him connected to friends, the actor emphasized the simple yet profound act of “just making time for them [12:04].” He shared:

Sean came over to my place last night. That meant a lot [12:09].

This grounded, deliberate investment in relationships echoes Conrad’s gradual opening up this season; the slow dismantling of walls to truly be present. Briney’s thoughts on preparing for emotionally charged scenes add another layer of authenticity to his portrayal. He further revealed:

If you wake up feeling really vulnerable, I feel like just like, trying to stay in that is valuable…But if you don’t, then you have to do some work to get there and be ready to, like, listen and receive [10:41].

These real-life insights from Briney deepen the connection viewers feel between actor and character, lending credibility and emotional weight to Conrad’s slow-burn relationship with Belly. 

Instagram Aesthetics Reveal Belly & Jeremiah’s Emotional Worlds in The Summer I Turned Pretty

Belly looks upset in this scene from The Summer I Turned Pretty
The Summer I Turned Pretty | Credit:- Prime Video

The Instagram aesthetics each cast member chose in Close Friends Only offer a vivid shorthand for their characters’ emotional landscapes this season of The Summer I Turned Pretty. Lola Tung described her aesthetic as “chaos”. It is a fitting encapsulation of Belly’s turbulent inner world and the tangled love triangle that has defined her journey.

In contrast, Gavin Casalegno picked “summer adventure” to define Jeremiah’s vibe: a carefree, playful energy that masks deeper complications. His aesthetic suggests fun in the sun and spontaneous escapades, but with the warning that what happens in Cabo doesn’t stay there. 

These two aesthetics sum up the season’s push and pull: Belly’s life feels like a storm of feelings, while Jeremiah’s attitude keeps things light, at least on the surface. The drama unfolds between these two worlds, pulling fans deeper into the story every week.

The Summer I Turned Pretty: Chaos Clues Point to Belly’s Big Finale Choice

Jeremiah In "The Summer I Turned Pretty" Season 3 Episode 8
Still from The Summer I Turned Pretty | Credits: CFO/YouTube

Belly’s self-described aesthetic as “chaos” reflects the emotional mess she’s been sorting through The Summer I Turned Pretty season 3: betrayal, confusion, a cancelled wedding, and a one-way ticket to Paris. And that desire seems to align more with the emotional arc we’ve seen from Conrad.

From his thoughtful emoji choices to his talk of vulnerability and time spent with loved ones, there’s a noticeable shift in him this season. His slow, inward growth suggests a person trying to become the kind of partner Belly might actually need, not just someone who makes her heart race, but someone who stays.

Jeremiah’s answers, however, reflect a more surface-level energy. His “summer adventure” vibe matches his easygoing charm, but after Cabo, cancelled plans, and emotional distance, some fans are left wondering if adventure is enough.

Why Watch Close Friends Only Episode Before The Summer I Turned Pretty Finale?

Lola Tung As Belly In "The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 Episode 7"
The Summer I Turned Pretty | Credits: CFO/YouTube

If you think the cast is done teasing, think again. The Close Friends Only episode is an absolute must-watch. In just a few minutes, you’ll see Lola Tung, Gavin Casalegno, Christopher Briney, Rain Spencer, and Sean Kaufman drop emoji bombs, dream-role confessions, and subtle nods that say way more than they should.

Watch the full Close Friends Only episode below:

Much like Taylor Swift tucking layered Easter eggs into her song lyrics, Close Friends Only slips clues into casual Q&As that might just reveal where Belly’s heart is headed. The cast may be tight-lipped, but their words, expressions, and even emoji picks say more than they let on.

With The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 heading into its final stretch, everything is reaching its peak. So who will Belly choose in the end? Sound off in the comments: Conrad or Jeremiah? Or Team No One at All? Let’s settle this before the finale drops.

The Summer I Turned Pretty is currently streaming in the USA on Prime Video.