Stranger Things star had ‘upsetting’ encounter with 40-year-old woman

Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo once opened up about the 'upsetting' encounter he had with a 40-year-old woman.

The 23-year-old American actor, who stars as Dustin Henderson in the hit Netflix series, was just 13 when he appeared in the series debut back in 2016.

Speaking on an episode of the Inside of You with Michael Rosenbaum podcast a few years back, Matarazzo was asked if he’d had any funny fan interactions over the years, to which he revealed a seriously alarming interaction he had with the mother of one of his fans.

He recalled: "I did [an event] 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'.

“And I was like, 'That’s upsetting'. I’m sure she just meant, 'Aw, this kid’s cute'. But then she doubled down."

Stranger Things star Gaten Matarazzo once opened up about a seriously unsettling interaction he had with a 40-year-old woman (Mike Coppola / Staff / Getty Images)

Continuing the unsettling story, Matarazzo explained: "She was like, 'I’m aware of the age difference'. And then I was like, 'Alright,' And her daughter was with her, and her daughter goes, 'Mum, what the f*ck?’ I swear to God.'"

He added that his own mum had been sitting next to him during the entire interaction, remembering the moment as being totally 'insane'.

And that wasn't all.

Matarazzo also shared that some fans attempted to grope his bottom while taking photos with him.

"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 OK with Stranger Things being very likely the biggest thing I will ever do," he acknowledged. "And it will most likely be the thing I am remembered for, even if I consistently work after this.

The actor was just 13 when he appeared in the debut season back in 2016 (Mary Clavering/Young Hollywood/Getty Images)

"And I am so cool with that as long as it facilitates happiness going forward, security and more work going forward."

He added: "What more could I ask for? I don’t want to maintain a sense of relevance at this point when it isn’t even something I particularly enjoy that much."

After catching light of the admission, fans rushed to social media to share their outrage.

One Instagram user penned: "'That’s upsetting' is a great response."

"Same reaction goes for me," echoed a second.

A third chimed in: "Not even like 'I feel maternal towards you in this show' but straight up 'I'VE HAD A CRUSH ON YOU SINCE YOU WERE A BABY AND I’M OLD ENOUGH TO BE YOUR GRANDMOTHER.'"

"Disgusting," slammed another.

And a final fan echoed: "This is disturbing!"