More than a decade after playing Nate Archibald on "Gossip Girl," Crawford says he hasn't rewatched a single episode. Not one. Why? Because he finds it “campy” and kind of “embarrassing.” Fans may call the show iconic, but for him, it is mostly cringe.

In a recent interview, he didn’t hold back, even saying he is “terrified” at the idea of watching it again.

Crawford, 39, admits "Gossip Girl" broke ground. It nailed the vibe of rich teen drama before Instagram took over. The Upper East Side never looked glossier. The show pushed boundaries and shaped a generation’s idea of cool. That is not lost on him.

Chace / IG / Crawford laughed about how “campy” it all feels now. He called it both funny and “a bit embarrassing,” like reading your old diary out loud to strangers.

No thanks.

He is Still Avoiding It!

Since the show wrapped in 2012, Crawford has kept his distance. He says he’s “terrified” to see his old performance. That version of himself feels like someone else. The lines, the hair, the pouty close-ups. It is too much. He admitted, half-joking, that he might not survive the cringe.

Even with the show’s massive fanbase and ongoing relevance, Crawford has stayed away. It is not about hate. He appreciates the love. He just doesn’t want to sit through his younger self acting his heart out in a scene he now finds over-the-top.

Back then, everything moved fast. "Gossip Girl" made Crawford a household name overnight. Suddenly, he was a teen idol, posters on walls, interviews everywhere. That kind of spotlight messes with you. Crawford admits he got caught up in it.

He took the work super seriously, maybe too seriously. He remembers feeling “paranoid,” like he had to be Nate Archibald all the time. He couldn’t just chill and enjoy the ride. Looking back now, he wishes he had loosened up and had more fun. It is a little bittersweet.

Chace / IG / There is one thing Crawford does love about the show: the music. Especially in the pilot episode. He says the songs from that first season are burned into his brain.

His parents used to rewatch the pilot constantly, so the soundtrack is tied to real memories.

The Killers, Peter Bjorn and John, LCD Soundsystem, those tracks were the heartbeat of the show. Crawford says hearing them today still brings back that exact moment in time. Even if he can’t bear to watch his own scenes, the music holds up.

Typecast as the “CW Pretty Boy”

After "Gossip Girl," Crawford found it hard to escape the Nate Archibald label. He got boxed in as the classic “CW pretty boy.” Casting directors couldn’t unsee the tailored suits and model looks. It made finding new, different roles a challenge.

He has since taken on darker, weirder parts, including his role as The Deep in "The Boys," which turned his pretty-boy image on its head. That kind of shift took time. Crawford had to work hard to be seen as more than a heartthrob from a glossy teen drama.

Despite everything, Crawford is not bitter. He totally gets why people still love "Gossip Girl." It struck a chord, and the fact that fans still talk about it proves its staying power. He respects that, even if he can’t stomach watching it.

There is something special about a show that still trends years later. "Gossip Girl" did that. It captured a moment and shaped a whole vibe. Crawford’s grateful for what the show gave him, even if it came with a side of awkward flashbacks.