Lucy Hale addresses criticism of Aria and Ezra reunion video
The actress said the clip reflected her friendship with Ian Harding rather than support for their fictional romance in Pretty Little Liars.
Lucy Hale has acknowledged problems with the romance between her Pretty Little Liars character and a teacher after a reunion video with co-star Ian Harding drew criticism. In a follow-up video, the actress said the fictional relationship had aged poorly.
The clip showed Hale and Harding recreating a scene involving their characters. Some fans criticized it as glamorizing a relationship marked by an age gap and an imbalance of power.
Hale portrayed Aria Montgomery throughout the show's seven seasons, while Harding played Ezra Fitz, Aria's English teacher and romantic partner. Responding to the comments, Hale distinguished her concerns about that storyline from her friendship with Harding.
She said the two became friends quickly and had known one another for almost 20 years. They are also working together on a new movie, 12 Dates of Christmas.
