If you were alive and breathing in the late '90s, you know the face. Or rather, you know the angle. That fisheye lens, the harsh flash, the damp hair, and the "don’t mess with me" look from a woman sitting on the edge of a hot tub. It’s the cover of Around the Fur, the 1997 masterpiece that cemented Deftones as the kings of alt-metal. For nearly thirty years, fans have obsessed over who that woman was. Was she a model? A groupie? A random party crasher?
The name is Lisa M Hughes Deftones fans have whispered in forums for decades. But honestly, most of the "lore" you’ve read online is complete nonsense.
The Real Lisa M Hughes: Deftones Legend or Accidental Icon?
For years, the mystery of the woman in the bikini was a staple of nu-metal trivia. Some people swore she was a girlfriend of Chino Moreno. Others claimed she was a professional model hired to look "grungy" for the Maverick Records art department.
Neither is true.
Lisa Hughes was just a girl from Auburn, Washington, who happened to be hanging out at a party. The year was 1997. Deftones were in Seattle recording the album at Litho Studios. They were staying at a rented condo, living the typical rock star life of the era—lots of people coming and going, late nights, and plenty of time spent around the pool and jacuzzi.
Rick Kosick, the photographer (who you probably know from the Jackass crew), was there to capture "candid vibes." He wasn't there for a professional shoot. He was just snapping photos of the chaos.
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That One Shot
Imagine being 20-something and just chilling in a hot tub. You're having a kick-ass time. Suddenly, a guy with a camera leans over and takes exactly two photos of you from a weird, high-angle perspective.
That’s basically what happened. Lisa wasn't posing for a career-defining cover. She was just existing. In fact, she’s gone on record recently saying she didn't even know the band was that famous at the time. She was "oblivious" to the fact that she was becoming the face of a platinum-selling record.
It wasn't until weeks later that Stephen Carpenter called her up to ask for permission. She didn't have a computer. She had to have Maverick Records fax her a copy of the photo so she could see what they were talking about.
The fax was dark and grainy. But she said yes anyway.
Debunking the "Groupie" Myth
One thing that really gets under Lisa’s skin—and rightfully so—is the "groupie" label.
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In a massive 2026 feature by Jenkem Magazine, Lisa set the record straight. She wasn't following the band from city to city. She wasn't looking for a "way in." She was a local who knew people in the Seattle scene.
"I found those articles, you know, about like me allegedly being a groupie and this and that," she said in the interview. "I’m just this awesome chick from Auburn, and I like to have fun."
It’s a reminder of how 90s rock culture often tried to pigeonhole every woman in the vicinity of a band. You were either a "model" or a "groupie." Lisa was neither. She was just a human being who looked cool in a fisheye lens.
Where is Lisa Hughes Now?
Life moved on. While Deftones went on to release White Pony and become global legends, Lisa Hughes stayed in Washington.
She didn't try to parlay those "fifteen minutes" into a modeling career or a reality TV stint. Instead, she built a life entirely outside the music industry. Today, she works in the medical field.
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It’s kinda surreal when you think about it. You’re at work, handling medical files or helping patients, and meanwhile, millions of people have your face on their t-shirts or tattooed on their arms. She mentioned that she now signs copies of Around the Fur for her daughter’s friends.
Why the Cover Still Hits
There’s a reason this image is more iconic than a generic band photo. It’s raw.
- The Flaws: People have pointed out a pimple on her skin in the photo. Lisa’s response? "Who gives a sh**?"
- The Vibe: It captures the heat and the "dirtiness" of the late 90s aesthetic without being overproduced.
- The Feet: If you look closely at the corner of the cover, there’s an intrusive pair of bare feet. It’s messy. It’s real.
Most modern album covers are photoshopped into oblivion. Around the Fur is the opposite. It’s a snapshot of a moment that wasn’t meant to be permanent, but somehow became immortal.
Actionable Insights for Fans and Collectors
If you're looking to dive deeper into the history of Lisa M Hughes and her connection to Deftones, here is what you should actually do:
- Watch the Jenkem Documentary: Released in early 2026, this is the first time Lisa and photographer Rick Kosick have really sat down together to walk through the condo and the jacuzzi where it all happened. It’s the definitive source.
- Stop Spreading the "Ex-Girlfriend" Rumors: Chino Moreno has clarified in multiple interviews (including the Broken Record podcast) that she was just a friend they met in Seattle. Let the "jilted lover" theories die.
- Appreciate the Art for What It Is: The cover wasn't a marketing gimmick. It was a choice made by art director Kevin Reagan because it felt "right" compared to the staged mockups they had.
- Look for the Uncropped Versions: There are full-frame versions of the shoot circulating in photography books that show more of the pool area, giving you a better sense of how casual the night actually was.
Lisa Hughes didn't ask to be a rock icon, but she wears the title with a lot of grace and a "take it or leave it" attitude that is honestly more "metal" than most of the bands that followed Deftones. She’s still that same person—just with a cooler story to tell at dinner parties.