Jenny Han, the beloved author behind The Summer I Turned Pretty, has long had a dream: to include Taylor Swift’s music in the show. Han, who not only wrote the book series but also serves as co-showrunner for the Prime Video adaptation, recently shared the story behind one of the most iconic moments from the series on Jenna Bush Hager’s Open Book podcast.
In the season 1 finale of the show, a pivotal scene occurs at Belly’s debutante ball, where Conrad (Christopher Briney) steps up to dance with Belly (Lola Tung) to a song that fans now associate with that magical moment: Taylor Swift’s The Way I Loved You. Han revealed that from the moment she began working on the season, she knew that particular song was the perfect fit for the scene.
Determined to get Swift’s permission to use the track, Han explained that she went above and beyond by writing a handwritten letter to the pop star herself. In her letter, Han expressed how important it was to her—and to the fans—to feature the song, explaining that it would be a “gift” for them. Taylor Swift, ever generous, granted permission, and the song was included in the finale.
This was just the beginning. Over the course of the first two seasons, Swift’s music became a mainstay on the show, with songs like Delicate, Back to December, and This Love enhancing key moments throughout. Han praised Swift for her support, saying, “She really—I felt like she is someone who bets on women. And I felt like she bet on me,” adding her gratitude for Taylor’s willingness to share her music with the series.
With the third season of The Summer I Turned Pretty slated for a summer 2025 release, fans can expect even more emotional moments, and perhaps, more Taylor Swift songs, to fuel the story. The first two seasons are currently streaming on Prime Video, and fans are eagerly awaiting the next chapter in Belly’s journey.