The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 sparks theories that Conrad could die. Fans cite Belly's trailer quote and Jenny Han's comments on the show's ending.
"Life's too short to not spend it with the person you love," Belly (Lola Tung) says in the Season 3 trailer of The Summer I Turned Pretty. While the line initially feels like a romantic declaration, some fans believe it foreshadows something far darker, Conrad's possible death.
The speculation has been spreading quickly online, with one TikTok video in particular fuelling the debate. The fan behind the viral post argues that Conrad (Christopher Briney) may discover he's sick in the final episodes, and with limited time left, he writes heartfelt letters to Belly while she's away in Paris. While the theory sounds extreme, certain moments from the show and even cast interviews have been used as evidence to support it.
Theories That Point To Conrad's Health Struggles
Supporters of the theory point out that actress Lola Tung allegedly admitted to crying when she read the script for Season 3's finale. However, there's no official record of such a statement. What she did confirm is that she gets emotional at the end of every season and teared up on the last day of filming. She also revealed in another interview that she cried when finishing Jenny Han's original book trilogy, which could have fuelled fan confusion.
Another piece of supposed evidence comes from Conrad's minor complaints about arm pain in one episode. The fan claimed this hinted at underlying health issues. While that detail may be overanalysed, viewers have noticed Conrad clutching his chest multiple times throughout the season. Still, this could easily be attributed to his anxiety and ongoing romantic struggles with Belly rather than an actual illness.
Jenny Han herself has teased that the show's ending won't exactly mirror the books. In the original trilogy, Belly eventually marries Conrad years after breaking off her wedding with Jeremiah (Gavin Casalegno). But Han explained to Elite Daily that she approached the show with "fresh eyes" and has been open to changing details for television. That flexibility leaves room for unexpected twists.
Kayleigh's Pregnancy Speculation Adds To Theory
The fan video also dives into another subplot that might connect to Conrad's fate. In Episode 8, Adam's (Tom Everett Scott) new girlfriend Kayleigh (Emma Ishta) avoids drinking champagne during the rehearsal dinner toasts. Viewers suspect this could mean she's pregnant. According to the theory, if Conrad dies, Kayleigh could name the baby after him, tying his memory into the Fisher family storyline.
Another angle raised by fans is that Conrad could inherit a terminal illness from his mother, played by Rachel Blanchard, which would align with the "life's too short" theme. While these ideas remain pure speculation, they highlight just how invested the fandom is in every detail of the series.
Whether or not the theory proves true, one thing is clear: The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 has fans bracing for an emotional finale unlike anything seen in the books.