'So gross': Outrage as Gaten Matarazzo shares encounter with 40-year-old 'Stranger Things' fan who had crush on him since he was 13

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Gaten Matarazzo, known for his role in the hit Netflix series 'Stranger Things', has had his share of odd fan interactions over the years. However, one particular encounter stands out as more than just "a little uncomfortable."

The now 21-year-old actor was only 12 when the show first catapulted him to fame, and it seems he caught the eye of a much older admirer early on.

Gaten Matarazzo recounts 'uncomfortable' fan encounter involving a 40-year-old woman

In a candid conversation with Michael Rosenbaum on the 'Inside of You' podcast, Matarazzo recounted a recent fan event that took a bizarre turn. "I did one 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,'" Matarazzo shared.

The young actor's immediate reaction was one of discomfort. "I was like, 'That's upsetting.' I'm sure she just meant, 'Aw, this kid's cute,'" he explained, but quickly realized she was serious. "She was like, 'I'm aware of the age difference.' And then I was like, 'Alright."

Adding to the awkwardness, the woman's 13-year-old daughter was present and visibly mortified. "Her daughter goes, 'Mom, what the f**k?' I swear to God," Matarazzo recalled. Unable to laugh off the situation, he looked to his mother for support. "That was rough," he admitted.

Matarazzo expressed deep appreciation for the opportunities 'Stranger Things' has provided him. "Careers are always about peaks and valleys. 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 okay 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 added.

For Matarazzo, the success of 'Stranger Things' has already brought him happiness, security, and ongoing work, fulfilling his professional aspirations.

'Stranger Things', the Duffer Brothers' homage to the 1980s horror genre, has been a cultural phenomenon since its debut in 2016. With its fifth and final season currently in production and slated for a 2025 premiere, Matarazzo remains grateful for the journey. "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 concluded.

Gaten Matarazzo's recollection of woman's inappropriate crush causes internet backlash

Gaten Matarazzo, best known for his role in 'Stranger Things,' recently shared a troubling fan interaction on the 'Inside of You' podcast with Michael Rosenbaum, leading to significant backlash on social media.

Many users expressed their horror at the inappropriate nature of the woman's comments. "That is disgusting. It’s so dangerous for child actors. There are so many predators both inside and outside of the industry. It’s so sad," one user commented.

Another user echoed this sentiment, saying, "I thought he was a great actor as a child. But the term 'crush' never crossed my mind."

Others speculated that the woman might have been trying to compliment Matarazzo, albeit in a deeply misguided way. "Sometimes people say things that aren't true just to make other people feel good! That's all! But I can't imagine saying crushing on 13 year olds... that's odd wtf! lol," one user wrote.

However, the majority found the incident alarming and inappropriate. "Yes he was a very cute child beautiful even. But a CRUSH on a child omfg predator alert!!!" exclaimed a concerned user.

Another added, "That's so gross. I look at that kid and basically see my own child. Some folks are strange."

This article contains remarks made on the Internet by individual people and organizations. MEAWW cannot confirm them independently and does not support claims or opinions being made online.