You’ve probably seen her face plastered all over your TikTok feed or caught her starring in the massive hit The Summer I Turned Pretty. Lola Tung basically became an overnight sensation, and with that kind of fame comes a tidal wave of questions. People aren't just curious about Belly’s love triangle; they’re digging into the actress herself. Specifically, everyone wants to know: is Lola Tung wasian?
The short answer? Yeah, she is. But honestly, the "wasian" label is just the tip of the iceberg when you look at her actual family tree.
Breaking Down Lola Tung's Real Background
Lola was born and raised in New York City, which is about as melting-pot as it gets. Her mother is Chinese and Swedish, while her father is of Eastern European descent. If you’re doing the math at home, that makes her a mix of Asian and several European heritages.
It’s kind of interesting how this plays out in her role as Belly Conklin. In the original books by Jenny Han, the character wasn't explicitly written as Asian-American. But when it came time for the show, Han decided to make the Conklin family biracial (Korean-American). Casting Lola, who is actually mixed-race in real life, added a layer of authenticity that fans really latched onto.
Her Parents and Roots
- Mother: Chinese and Swedish descent. Her maternal grandmother is actually from Sweden.
- Father: Eastern European descent.
- Upbringing: Pure New York. She went to the famous LaGuardia High School—the same place that turned out stars like Timothée Chalamet.
She’s spoken before about how her parents always supported her artistic side. It helps that her dad was a musician and her mom had a stint in acting too. That kind of creative DNA usually leads to big things, and for Lola, it definitely did.
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Why the "Wasian" Identity Matters in Hollywood Right Now
The term "wasian"—a portmanteau of White and Asian—has exploded in popularity over the last few years. For a long time, mixed-race actors were often told they weren't "enough" of one thing or another. Too white for Asian roles, too Asian for white roles.
Lola Tung is part of a new wave of stars who are changing that narrative.
Honestly, the industry is finally catching up to the fact that a lot of us don't fit into one neat little box. When fans ask is Lola Tung wasian, they aren't just looking for a "yes" or "no." They’re looking for representation. They see themselves in her—someone who navigates multiple cultures and looks like a real person you'd meet on the street, not a Hollywood stereotype.
The "Summer I Turned Pretty" Effect
When The Summer I Turned Pretty dropped, it wasn't just another teen drama. It was a cultural moment. Because the show made Belly’s Korean-American heritage a part of her identity without making it her entire personality, it felt fresh.
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Lola has mentioned in interviews that being mixed-race herself helped her connect to Belly’s journey. Even though the specific ethnicities don't match exactly—Lola being Chinese/Swedish/Eastern European and Belly being Korean/White—the experience of being "in-between" is universal.
"As someone who's mixed, it’s really cool to see that represented on screen in a way that feels natural," Lola once noted in a conversation about her character.
Beyond the Heritage: What’s Next for Lola?
She isn't just a one-hit wonder. Since her breakout, she’s been everywhere. She made a huge splash on Broadway as Eurydice in Hadestown in 2024, proving she has the pipes to back up her acting skills.
She’s also become a major face in fashion. You’ve probably seen her repping Coachtopia (Coach's sustainable line) or appearing in American Eagle campaigns. It’s clear she’s positioning herself as more than just a TV actress; she’s a full-on multi-hyphenate.
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Looking toward 2026, her schedule is packed. She’s got the horror film Forbidden Fruits on the horizon and another project called The Young People directed by Oz Perkins. She's moving away from the "girl next door" vibe and into some pretty gritty territory.
Practical Takeaway: How to Support Mixed-Race Representation
If you’re a fan of Lola and want to see more diverse casting like this, here is what actually moves the needle:
- Watch the projects: Numbers talk. When shows with mixed-race leads like The Summer I Turned Pretty get high viewership, studios greenlight more of them.
- Follow the creators: Jenny Han has been a powerhouse for AAPI representation. Supporting authors and showrunners who prioritize diverse casting is key.
- Engage with the work, not just the label: While it’s cool to know Lola's background, her talent is what keeps her there. Check out her theater work or her upcoming films to see her range.
Lola Tung is clearly here to stay. Whether she’s singing on a Broadway stage or caught in a fictional love triangle, her background is just one part of a much bigger, very impressive story.
Next Step: To see more of Lola’s range beyond the beach house, check out some of her Broadway performance clips or keep an eye out for the Forbidden Fruits trailer dropping later this year.