Gavin Casalegno is one of the breakout stars of Amazon Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty”, a romantic drama series based on the bestselling novels by Jenny Han. Casalegno plays Jeremiah Fisher, a charming and adventurous boy who is in love with his childhood friend Belly (Lola Tung). Jeremiah is also bisexual, a change from the original books where he was only interested in women.
Casalegno’s portrayal of Jeremiah has earned him praise from critics and fans alike, who appreciate his nuanced and authentic performance. But some viewers are also curious about Casalegno’s own sexuality and personal life. Is he gay or bisexual like his character? Does he have a girlfriend or a boyfriend? Here are some facts and rumors about the actor’s sexual orientation and love life.
Is Gavin Casalegno gay or bisexual?
The short answer is no. Casalegno has not publicly stated his sexuality, but he is most likely straight. He has been in a long-term relationship with a female model and actress named Larsen Thompson since 2016. The couple often posts pictures of each other on social media, showing their affection and support.
Casalegno has also expressed his faith as a Christian on several occasions, which may indicate his conservative views on sexuality. However, he has not made any homophobic or transphobic comments, and he has shown respect and empathy for the LGBTQ+ community. In an interview with Seventeen, he said that he was honored to play a bisexual character and to be part of the diversity movement:
I was so honored to be a part of that change and that direction of where we were taking it and [bringing] that diversity. And I think it’s so important to have that. I think it’s so special. Jeremiah is always he’s figuring out, more and more, who he is and that’s just a part of him.
Casalegno
Casalegno also revealed that he related to Jeremiah’s character in many ways and that he felt a connection with the author Jenny Han. He said in an interview:
I actually told Jenny this the first time- I met her, I was like, ‘Did you talk to my mom or something? How? Did you read my diary? What’s going on?’ I was like, ‘you know, this character is so similar to who I am, it would be a shame if I didn’t do it.’
Casalegno
Sexuality | Straight |
Ex-Girlfriend | Larsen Thompson |
Current Dating Life | Single |
Ideal Type | Funny, humble, caring |
Gavin Casalegno’s Background and Early Life
Gavin Casalegno was born on September 2, 1999, in Lewisville, Texas, to a Christian family. He is the eldest of three children, with a younger brother and a sister, Ashlyn Casalegno, who is also an actress and model. Casalegno attended Lovejoy High School in Lucas, Texas, where he played soccer and volleyball.
Casalegno developed an interest in acting at a young age and started modeling for JC Penney when he was four years old. He also appeared in commercials for Sony and Papa John’s in the mid-2000s. He moved to Los Angeles with his mother, Allyson Casalegno, who was his manager, to pursue bigger opportunities in the entertainment industry15. He took acting classes at Young Actors House and Cathryn Sullivan Acting for Film and landed his first film role at the age of eleven. He later convinced his family to relocate to LA to pursue acting full-time as a career.
Birthday | September 2, 1999 |
Birthplace | Lewisville, Texas, USA |
Age | 23 years old |
Full Name | Gavin Casalegno |
Siblings | Brother Logan, sister Ashlyn |
Gavin Casalegno’s Acting Career
Early Work | TV commercials |
Breakthrough | The Summer I Turned Pretty (2022–present) |
Notable Films | Noah (2014), Max Winslow and the House of Secrets (2019) |
Accolades | 2 Young Entertainer Award wins |
Growing up in Dallas, Gavin Casalegno discovered his passion for acting through school plays and local theater. He convinced his family to move to LA to pursue acting full-time as a career. Gavin Casalegno started his acting career at the age of nine when he made his debut in the movie “When Angels Sing” in 2013. Since then, he has appeared in several movies and TV shows, including “Noah”, “The Vampire Diaries”, and “The UnMiracle”.
Casalegno gained recognition for his role as young Shem in Darren Aronofsky’s epic film “Noah” in 2014, where he starred alongside Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Anthony Hopkins. He also played young Damon Salvatore in the CW television series “The Vampire Diaries” in 2015, a role that earned him a lot of fans and praise.
In 2021, Casalegno joined the cast of “Walker”, a reboot of the popular series “Walker, Texas Ranger”, as Trevor Strand, a friend of the Walker family. He also starred in “The Unhealer”, a supernatural thriller film about a bullied teenager who gains the power to heal and hurt.
Casalegno’s breakthrough role came in 2022, when he was cast as Jeremiah Fisher, one of the main characters in the Amazon Prime Video series “The Summer I Turned Pretty”, based on the bestselling novels by Jenny Han. The series premiered in 2022, and Casalegno plays a charming and adventurous boy who is in love with his childhood friend Belly (Lola Tung). Jeremiah is also bisexual, a change from the original books, where he was only interested in women.
Casalegno received critical acclaim and popularity for his portrayal of Jeremiah, who is a complex and relatable character. He also developed a strong chemistry with his co-stars, especially Tung, who plays his love interest. The series was a huge hit among the viewers and was renewed for a second and third season by Amazon.
In 2023, Casalegno was announced to play a role in “Queen of the Ring”, a biographical film about the WWE Hall of Fame-inducted wrestler Mildred Burke. He will portray the younger version of Burke’s son, Joe. Over his decade-plus acting career, Casalegno has won 2 Young Entertainer Awards recognizing his childhood acting talents.
Gavin Casalegno’s Relationship with Larsen Thompson
Began Dating | Circa 2015 (unconfirmed) |
Years Together | ~6 years |
Ended | 2021 |
Post-Split Status | Respectful |
The pair began dating around sometime around 2015 through Instagram. The pair dated for an impressive six years up until their amicable split sometime in 2021. Details about why Casalegno and Thompson broke up have not been shared publicly. But the two have remained respectful, not deleting old couples photos together as of late 2023.
Gavin Casalegno and Larsen Thompson were one of the most adorable couples in Hollywood, who met through Instagram and dated for nearly six years. They shared many romantic moments and milestones, such as sweet sixteen, prom night, graduation, and more. They also supported each other’s careers and passions as they both rose to fame in the entertainment industry.
However, in 2021, the couple decided to part ways, bringing their fairy-tale romance to an end. The reason for their breakup is still unknown, but some fans speculated that it had something to do with Casalegno’s controversial social media activity, which contradicted his image as a supporter of the LGBTQ+ community. Casalegno faced some backlash for liking posts that were considered anti-vaccine, anti-feminist, and transphobic. He also liked posts that favored conservative politicians, opposed the Black Lives Matter movement, and praised Israel’s actions against Palestine. His father, Bryan Casalegno, was also criticized for following controversial figures on X (formerly known as Twitter).
The backlash was especially harsh because Casalegno plays a bisexual character in a show that promotes diversity and inclusion. Some fans felt betrayed and angry by his political leanings, which clashed with his previous statements and actions. Some even called for his cancellation and boycott of the show. Casalegno has not yet responded to the backlash or apologized for his likes. It is unclear whether his social media activity will affect his career or his relationship with his co-stars and fans.
Despite their breakup, the couple has chosen not to delete past pictures of them from their social media accounts, indicating a sense of appreciation for the time they spent together. They have also not publicly spoken about their split and have remained silent on their current relationship status. Some fans hope that they will reconcile in the future, while others wish them happiness and success in their separate paths. Casalegno and Thompson have shown that they are talented and passionate individuals who have a lot to offer to the world. Whether they will find love again, either with each other or with someone else, remains to be seen.
His Ideal Dating Type
Personality Traits | Funny, humble, caring |
Shared Interests | Acting, animals |
Similar Values | Family-oriented, down-to-earth |
Age Range | Typically 20s within the industry |
While currently single, Gavin Casalegno has previously indicated qualities he finds most important in a potential girlfriend.
In interviews over the years, Casalegno has stated he desires a partner with both beauty and brains – someone funny, bright, and compassionate. His only public relationship was with dancer/actress Larsen Thompson hinting he often dates fellow performers around his age who share his creative passions and values.
Net Worth and Career Earnings
Image credits: Sportskeeda
While only 23 years old, Gavin Casalegno has already amassed considerable wealth from early acting success.
Gavin Casalegno Net Worth | $5 million |
Primary Income | Acting career |
Salary Highlights | ~$100k per episode |
Other Income | Brand endorsements |
Financial Status | Rising fortune |
Per estimates, Gavin Casalegno is sitting on an approximate net worth of $5 million in 2023, largely fueled by television acting income. Starring on a hit streaming series like The Summer I Turned Pretty likely earns him ~$100,000 per episode based on typical industry rates. Additional money comes from Casalegno’s brand sponsorships. Still, early in his career, his fortune should continue rising rapidly.
Controversies and Scandals
Image credits: Instagram
Unlike many headline-grabbing young stars, Gavin Casalegno has maintained a clean track record personally and professionally so far.
Controversies | None of note |
Legal Issues | No arrests or lawsuits |
Scandals | None documented |
Reputation | Professional, drama-free |
A quick online search reveals no controversies or scandals tied to actor Gavin Casalegno as of 2023 since he entered public life over the past decade. By all insider accounts, Casalegno leads a low-key lifestyle focused solely on further building his acting resume rather than tabloid antics.
At only 23 years old but already a bonafide heartthrob of series like The Summer I Turned Pretty, Gavin Casalegno appears destined for more leading man fame and relationship headlines potentially down the line. But for now, he seems fully centered on advancing his soaring acting career.
Fun Facts
- He was born in San Antonio, Texas, and moved to Los Angeles when he was 10 years old to pursue his acting career.
- He made his film debut at the age of 11, playing young Shem in Darren Aronofsky’s epic film “Noah” alongside Russell Crowe, Jennifer Connelly, and Anthony Hopkins.
- He is a Christian and often posts about his faith on social media.
- He is a sports enthusiast and enjoys playing soccer and volleyball. He also follows professional sports leagues such as the NBA and the NFL.
- He has written and directed his own short films, such as “The Last Day” and “The Final Chapter”, showcasing his creativity and passion for storytelling.
- He is an animal lover and has a pet dog named Leo, who often appears on his social media accounts.
- He has a keen eye for fashion and is often seen showcasing his unique sense of style. He also models for various brands and magazines, such as Abercrombie & Fitch and L’Officiel.
- He is a philanthropist and participates in various charitable causes, such as the Thirst Project, which aims to provide clean water to people in need.
- He is a fan of Harry Potter and has a tattoo of the Deathly Hallows symbol on his wrist
FAQs
Who is Gavin Casalegno?
Gavin Casalegno is an American actor, best known for his role as Jeremiah Fisher in the Amazon Prime series “The Summer I Turned Pretty”.
How old is Gavin Casalegno?
Gavin Casalegno was born on September 2, 1999. He is 23 years old as of 2023.
Is Gavin Casalegno gay or bisexual?
Gavin Casalegno is not gay or bisexual. He has not publicly stated his sexuality, but he is reportedly in a long-term relationship with a female model and actress named Larsen Thompson.
Why did Gavin Casalegno face backlash for his social media activity?
Gavin Casalegno faced backlash for his social media activity in 2023 when some fans discovered that he had liked posts that were considered anti-vaccine, anti-feminist, and transphobic. He also liked posts that supported conservative politicians, opposed the Black Lives Matter movement, and praised Israel’s actions against Palestine.
What shows and movies has Gavin Casalegno been in?
Gavin Casalegno has appeared in roles in hit series such as Walker and The Vampire Diaries. He has also acted in films such as Noah, Nine Seconds, and The Unhealer.