In a remarkably candid and vulnerable interview, Christopher Briney, the heartthrob at the centre of Amazon Prime's smash hit 'The Summer I Turned Pretty', has pulled back the curtain on the less glamorous side of sudden fame, confessing to experiencing overwhelming anxiety during the show's production.
The actor, who portrays the brooding Conrad Fisher, revealed that the immense pressure he felt was so intense it manifested as physical sickness. "I threw up a couple of times before shooting, just from being so nervous," Briney disclosed, shattering the illusion of effortless stardom.
The Weight of a Beloved Character
Briney's anxiety wasn't without cause. Stepping into the shoes of Conrad, a character deeply cherished by fans of Jenny Han's bestselling book series, carried a heavy burden. The actor felt a profound responsibility to do justice to the fan-favourite role, a pressure that weighed heavily on him from the very first day on set.
"I was so nervous... I felt a lot of pressure to not mess it up," he admitted, highlighting the daunting task of bringing a beloved literary character to life for a devoted audience.
A Supportive Cast Amidst the Pressure
Fortunately, Briney was not alone in navigating the whirlwind. He found a crucial support system in his co-stars, Lola Tung (Isabel 'Belly' Conklin) and Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah Fisher). The trio quickly bonded, forming a tight-knit unit that helped alleviate the intense pressures of filming.
He described his castmates as "lovely" and expressed immense gratitude for their immediate connection, which was evident from their very first table read together. This genuine camaraderie provided a safe harbour from the storm of his personal anxieties and the demands of the spotlight.
Briney's honest account offers a poignant glimpse into the human side of television's newest stars, reminding audiences that behind the picture-perfect scenes of summer romance lies a very real journey of doubt, pressure, and personal growth.
