The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Jackie Chung reflects on Laurel’s guidance for Belly in Season 3

The Summer I Turned Pretty has always been about first loves, heartbreak, and the messy choices of growing up. But in Season 3, it’s not just Belly caught in the storm; this time, her mom, Laurel, finds herself swept into it too.

Jackie Chung, who plays Laurel, recently opened up to Deadline about how her character guides Belly through one of the toughest crossroads of her life.

Her answer makes it all too clear: Laurel doesn't try to shield Belly from pain; she helps her face it.

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Laurel’s role when Belly’s wedding plans fall through

With episode 8, we're almost at the end of The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3, and it is now that Belly's life finally spirals out of control when Jeremiah realizes he can't marry someone whose heart and soul are still tied to Conrad.

The failed wedding is devastating for both Belly and Jeremiah, but Laurel is there to catch her daughter when she falls. Jackie Chung explained this choice in an interview with Deadline, saying that Laurel knew Belly had to learn the lesson herself. She shares;

"She tried many different avenues to get through to Belly, talking to her, taking a hard, hard line with her, and those didn't work..."

Chung goes on to say;

"And I think she realizes that this is a lesson Belly had to figure out on her own, listening to her heart and figuring out what she truly wants in her life and in a relationship."

For fans of The Summer I Turned Pretty, the moment when Belly leans on Laurel and repeats their Season 1 code word, "Lemon Jelly Belly," is a wonderful and heartfelt gut punch. It's a reminder that no matter how grown-up Belly feels, she will always be Laurel's baby girl.

As Chung put it, Laurel would never abandon her daughter, not even in moments when they were at odds. That soft landing Laurel provides makes her guidance stand out even more.

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A bond by the pool with Conrad and his Laura

One of Season 3's most touching scenes comes in Episode 8 when Laurel and Conrad share a late-night talk before the night of Belly and Jere's wedding. Jackie Chung admitted she was thrilled that the scene from Jenny Han's books made it into the show.

She told Deadline;

"I love that scene, both of those Conrad and Laurel scenes..."

She further went on to say;

"I know they're very pivotal moments and really important in showing their relationship. I just love them because Laurel and Conrad are so similar, and they understand each other so deeply."

Chung even imagined them as friends beyond the family bond. She said;

"I feel like they could hang out and get a beer together and talk about their lives..."

What struck viewers most was Laurel offering Conrad steady, unconditional support without pushing him too hard. She explained;

"If you ever want to come to me and talk, I will listen and I will lend you my ear and give you my advice, but l'm not going to tell you what to do. I'm just here as a friend and a guide..."

Conrad's unspoken "I wish" in that scene only deepens the meaning. Laurel doesn't push for answers, and she lets him hold onto his silence while still knowing she is there for him. That kind of space is its own form of guidance.

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Why Laurel’s advice in The Summer I Turned Pretty is all about timing

Fans have often speculated whether Laurel's hesitation about Belly marrying Jeremiah had more to do with Conrad's feelings than anything else. But Jackie Chung was clear that Laurel's concerns were rooted in timing and not matchmaking or a preference for Conrad over Jeremiah.

Chung says;

"I really feel like it's just too early for Belly..."

Laurel wants her daughter to finish school, get a job, and build a life before making such a life-changing commitment. She knows from her own experiences that it's easy to lose yourself if marriage and children happen too fast.

That outlook reflects Laurel's protective streak. Even though she knows Conrad loves Belly, Laurel's mindset has always been focused on Belly's growth first. Chung explains;

"I still think it's all about [Team] Belly..."

At the same time, Laurel continues to carry the weight of Susannah's absence. Without her best friend around, she has stepped into a larger role not just for Belly and Steven but also for Conrad and Jeremiah. In her own words, she feels pressure "to be both of them for her kids and for Susannah's kids.".

And this is how Laurel's maternal instinct, restraint, and strength are what make her such a grounded adult character in The Summer I Turned Pretty.

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Jackie Chung's reflection on The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3 shows that Laurel's guidance isn't about making and deciding choices for Belly but about letting Belly grow through with them.

Whether it's offering her daughter a shoulder after a called-off wedding, giving Conrad a safe space to be entirely himself, or wanting Belly to build her future before settling down for Marriage, Laurel proves that tough love and quiet support can coexist at the very same time.

In The Summer I Turned Pretty, Laurel's presence is the compass that keeps Belly steady when everything else is falling apart.

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Stay tuned to SoapCentral for more.

Also read: "If this Is love, I’m out": A deep dive into Belly and Jeremiah's codependent mess in The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 3