Pretty Little Liars’ Lucy Hale Addresses Her, Ian Harding’s Characters’ “Problematic” Dynamic

In other words, the Hating Game star reunited with Harding on social media in advance of their new film, 12 Dates of Christmas, to commemorate the beginning of their real-life connection, instead of the torrid fictional romance.

As she put it, “The video was actually more about Ian and I’s friendship, not glamorizing anything.”

Hale previously addressed her take on why Aria and Fitz—who get married by the series’ finale—story needed to be included.

“My character dated her teacher, and that’s been a little controversial, especially lately,” she remarked during a Sept. 21 episode of On Purpose With Jay Shetty. “But like, this came out in 2010, so of course she would date her teacher. That’s what happened in the book, so it should happen in the show.”