It was the summer when the internet buzzed incessantly about Belly Conklin's modest yet gleaming diamond, aptly compared to a sliver of tinfoil by some. In the midst of this chatter, Lola Tung came forward to champion the engagement ring that Jeremiah Fisher (portrayed by Gavin Casalegno) had meticulously chosen for her character in the third season of Jenny Han's hit series, The Summer I Turned Pretty. Viewers had lambasted the bling, deeming it too petite and lacking in luster.
"Jeremiah's attempt to be financially astute by selecting a ring that wasn't excessively pricey was commendable," the 22-year-old actress revealed to Pop Sugar Australia on July 29. "He knew her style inside out, and the ring, though simple, was exquisitely beautiful and perfectly suited to her."
Indeed, Lola felt that the vitriol hurled at Jeremiah—who, prior to this jewelry purchase, was already burdened by $20,000 in debt from his father Adam Fisher (played by Tom Everett Scott), a result of his failure to meet the graduation requirements on time—over his ring choice was unwarranted. "I think the backlash was a bit over the top," she expressed during an interview with Pedestrian TV on the same day. "I adore that ring, truly."
For Lola, the ring's unassuming design mirrored the couple's "young" and carefree love. "It's very much them," she emphasized. "Material possessions aren't what matter here," she added thoughtfully.
Some fans, however, might disagree. Following Jeremiah's second proposal in episode two of season three—his first attempt being devoid of a ring or the traditional kneeling gesture—many poked fun at the barely visible bling. One user captioned a photo of Lola's character flashing her ring on X on July 25, "Belly said, 'The summer we searched for Jeremiah's ring.'" Another shared a GIF of a man peering through a telescope, quipping, "Me trying to see the ring Jeremiah gave Belly."
But does Lola's fondness for the controversial ring sway her loyalty towards Team Jeremiah over Team Conrad (Christopher Briney)? For now, she remains steadfastly on Team Belly. "I deeply understand her perspective and her journey," she confided to the Television Academy in an interview on July 23. "She's the protagonist of her own story, and I'll always stand by her, wherever her heart leads her."
However, she conceded that by the season finale, wrapping up Belly's tale, tears would inevitably flow. "Everyone, at some point across all three seasons, will experience a hint of heartbreak," Lola recently shared with E! News. "It's an inevitable part of love, of grand love stories, and of those intertwined with complexity."
