Gaten Matarazzo has opened up about "uncomfortable" interactions he has had with Stranger Things fans.
The young actor is best known for portraying Dustin on the Netflix drama, which first aired on the streaming giant in 2016 - when he was just 13 years old.
The award-winning show takes place in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana, where a group of friends witness a series of supernatural events.
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During an appearance on the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast, the now 21-year-old was asked if he’d had any memorable fan interactions over the years.
He then spoke about the moment a mother confessed that she had a crush on him in front of her own daughter.
“I did [an event] very recently - and this is not very funny, but the reactions around it were quite funny - where this woman in her 40s said straight up, ‘I’ve had a crush on you since you were 13,’” he shared, per Variety. “And I was like, ‘That’s upsetting.’ I’m sure she just meant, ‘Aw, this kid’s cute.’ But then she doubled down.”
He went on to note: “She was like, ‘I’m aware of the age difference.’ And then I was like, ‘Alright.’” And her daughter was with her, and her daughter goes, ‘Mum, what the f***?’ I swear to God.”
Many people took to their social media to share their disgust at the mom's strange confession.
One user wrote: "This is gross and she clearly made him uncomfortable," while another said: "Seriously? That's just creepy and awkward."
A third user exclaimed: "The daughter is all of us, cuz Ma’am WHAT THE ACTUAL F***?!" and a fourth added: "F***ing hell man... some people have no shame."
While Matarazzo may have had questionable encounters with Stranger Things fans, he told the interviewer that he’s thankful for the popular series because of the opportunities that have come from it.
“Those careers are always about peaks and values. With this show, it is quite clear and I am very well aware - and would like my professional team — to understand that I am very OK with Stranger Things being very likely the biggest thing I will ever do,” he said.
“And it will most likely be the thing I am remembered for even if I consistently work after this,” he continued. “And I am so cool with that as long as it facilitates happiness going forward, security, and more work going forward. What more could I ask for?"
"I don’t want to maintain a sense of relevance at this point when it isn’t even something I particularly enjoy that much," he added.
The show is currently filming its fifth and final season, which is set to premiere in 2025.