Netflix’s “Stranger Things” young star Gaten Matarazzo has just had what we might call an awkward and somewhat creepy fan encounter. It happened at a convention when a woman in her 40s confessed to getting a crush on him when he was 13.
Matarazzo was recounting a series of memorable convention stories while appearing as a guest on the podcast “Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum” and went on to say that “this woman in her 40s said honestly to him, point-blank, [I’ve had] ‘I’ve had a crush on you since you were 13.'”I’m like, ‘That’s gross. ‘”.
Stranger Things’ Gaten Matarazzo recalls a 40-year-old mom telling him she’s had a crush on him since he was 13:
“This woman in her 40s said straight up, ‘I’ve had a crush on you since you were 13.’ And I was like, ‘That’s upsetting.’ I’m sure she just meant, ‘Aw, this kid’s… PIC.TWITTER.COM/D9U03IL1LM
— Pop Base (@PopBase) MAY 29, 2024
Yes, although he might initially have thought that she meant he was an adorable child, she could have immediately corrected herself and said, “I’m aware of the age difference, which threw Matarazzo when he then realized it appeared that her 13-year-old daughter was in the room all along.”
This made the daughter react with stunning, “Mom, what the fuck?” Matarazzo, on his part, was taking it all in strides. In this awkward moment, he only managed to thank and appreciate their coming. Matarazzo’s mother was right there to make the incident more awkward.
“That’s the most hilarious thing to say,” Matarazzo responded to the girl’s daughter-like reaction. ”Shameful as hell for that girl.
This wasn’t the only weird experience Matarazzo has had during cons. He and Rosenbaum also spoke rather nonchalantly about those inappropriate “butt grabs” that do happen at times in photo ops.
Matarazzo began his “Stranger Things” role at 13 and watched as the show exploded into a Netflix sensation that continues to this day. He also returned to the Great White Way, where he started his career in “Honor Society.”.
Still, though “Stranger Things” has afforded him financial security most actors can only dream of, Matarazzo finds himself at peace with the looming end of the show. “I’m very okay with understanding that ‘Stranger Things’ will beyond very likely be the biggest thing I will ever do and will most likely be the thing I’m remembered for,” he said.
“I am so cool with that as long as it facilitates happiness going forward, security, and more work. What the hell else could I ask for?” Matarazzo is all grown up now and doing some film and TV work. He seems to take it all in stride, as one must, but at least he has a great reminder in his story of the challenge of being famous at such an early age.
Matarazzo’s career—from his one-day season on “Stranger Things” to now—is, in some ways, a story of sheer resilience and talent combined. His story proves the awkward and uncomfortable situations fame brings. Still, it also pits awkward and painful situations as equal to the lengths to which it can, in turn, open doors for a great opportunity. As Matarazzo put it, what else could I ask for?
