Chad Michael Murray’s latest project is proof that he can take a joke.

Starring in a campaign for the new Crush Zero Sugar beverage, the former teen heartthrob and current Sullivan’s Crossing star is branded in the advertisement as, “Your first crush, all grown up.”

“The tongue-in-cheek aspect of it is so silly,” Murray says. “And I just appreciate it so much.”

Speaking by phone from a car while “cruising the streets of Toronto” for a busy media day, Murray didn’t seem too bothered about the idea of being referred to as one of the millennial generation’s beloved poster boys.

Although, he admits he never quite got used to the heightened female fandom that peaked from 2003 through 2012 during his lengthy run on the TV show One Tree Hill.

“It’s kind of bizarre,” he says with a laugh. “I

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