Lola Tung didn't just land a role; she became a mood. When The Summer I Turned Pretty first hit Prime Video, most people were just looking for a bit of escapism. What they found was a lead actress who felt remarkably... real. It’s kinda rare. You see these YA adaptations all the time where the leads feel like they were grown in a lab to be "relatable," but Tung brought something else to the table as Belly Conklin. She’s messy. She makes terrible decisions. She’s human.
Honestly, the rise of The Summer I Turned Pretty actress Lola Tung is one of those lightning-in-a-bottle stories that Hollywood loves to talk about. She was a student at Carnegie Mellon University when she booked the gig. One minute she’s studying drama in Pittsburgh, and the next she’s the center of a massive love triangle that has literally divided the internet into Team Conrad and Team Jeremiah.
The Audition That Changed Everything
It wasn't a long, drawn-out process with years of bit parts in procedurals. Tung was essentially "discovered" through her audition tape. Jenny Han, the mastermind behind the book trilogy and the show's creator, has been vocal about the fact that finding Belly was the hardest part of the entire production. They needed someone who could play 16 without looking like a 25-year-old in a wig.
Han saw Tung’s tape and basically knew. There’s this specific vulnerability Tung has. It’s in the way she doesn't overact the "awkward" phases of adolescence. Most actors try too hard to be clumsy or shy. Lola just is.
Why Belly Conklin Isn't Your Typical Heroine
Let's be real for a second. Belly Conklin can be incredibly frustrating. She breaks hearts. She’s indecisive. She gets caught up in her own head. This is exactly why the performance works. If The Summer I Turned Pretty actress had played Belly as a perfect, polished girl, the show would have flopped. Instead, Tung leans into the selfishness that comes with being a teenager.
The complexity isn't just in the script. It’s in the pauses. Think about the beach scenes—those long, lingering shots where nobody is talking. Tung uses her face to convey about five different emotions at once. That’s not something you usually see in "teen" television. It’s a level of nuance that earned her respect from critics who usually dismiss this genre.
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Life Beyond Cousins Beach
While everyone is obsessed with who Belly ends up with, Lola Tung has been busy carving out a very different path for herself. She didn't just stay in the "teen star" lane. In 2024, she made her Broadway debut as Eurydice in Hadestown.
That’s a huge swing.
Going from a streaming TV show to a Tony-winning musical is a massive flex. It proved she wasn't just a "pretty face" for a beach show; she has the pipes and the stage presence to hold her own in one of the most demanding roles in modern theater. Fans showed up in droves, sure, but the theater community actually took her seriously. She stepped into big shoes (following the likes of Eva Noblezada) and didn't trip.
The Style Evolution of Lola Tung
You’ve probably seen her on the red carpet. It’s a total departure from Belly’s denim shorts and oversized sweatshirts.
- She’s worked closely with stylists to create a look that’s sophisticated but still youthful.
- Her presence at New York Fashion Week has become a staple.
- Brands like Coach have tapped into her "girl next door but make it fashion" energy.
- She favors clean lines, bold colors, and a sort of effortless 90s minimalism.
She isn't trying to be a trendsetter in a loud, obnoxious way. It feels organic. She wears the clothes; the clothes don't wear her.
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Navigating Fame in the Social Media Era
One thing that stands out about The Summer I Turned Pretty actress is how she handles the "shipping" wars. The internet is a dark place when it comes to Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah. People get genuinely angry. Tung handles it with a lot of grace. She stays out of the fray. You won't find her liking messy tweets or fueling the fire.
She uses her platform for things that actually matter to her. Climate change. Voting rights. Mental health. It’s the standard Gen Z celebrity toolkit, but with Tung, it doesn't feel like a PR person is typing her captions. There’s a sincerity there that her fans pick up on.
What’s Next for Lola?
With Season 3 of The Summer I Turned Pretty on the horizon, the hype is only going to get more intense. The third book, We’ll Always Have Summer, is heavy. It deals with college, weddings, and some pretty serious betrayals. Tung is going to have to do some heavy lifting emotionally.
But after seeing her in Hadestown, nobody is worried about her range. She’s proven she can handle the dark stuff.
There are rumors about film projects and more theater, but for now, she’s the face of a generation's favorite summer memory. It’s a lot of pressure. Most actors crack under that kind of specific, "it-girl" spotlight. Tung seems to be walking through it like she’s just strolling down the boardwalk at Cousins.
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The Reality of the Industry
The "overnight success" narrative is a bit of a myth. Even though it happened fast for her, Tung spent years training. She attended LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts—the "Fame" school in New York. She’s a theater kid at heart. That foundation is why she isn't a one-hit wonder.
When you look at her peers, the ones who last are the ones who can pivot. Tung has already pivoted twice. Once from student to TV star, and once from TV star to Broadway lead.
Why the Audience Stays Loyal
It’s the relatability.
When Belly cries, you feel it. When she laughs, you’re in on the joke. Lola Tung has this uncanny ability to make you feel like you’re her best friend, or at least someone who went to school with her. She isn't untouchable. She’s the girl who still gets excited about small things and seems genuinely surprised when thousands of people scream her name.
Actionable Takeaways for Fans and Aspiring Actors
If you're following Lola Tung's career or looking to emulate her path, there are a few real-world lessons to take away from her trajectory:
- Prioritize Training: Tung didn't skip the hard work. Her background at LaGuardia and Carnegie Mellon provided the technical skills that allowed her to transition to Broadway seamlessly. Don't rely on "getting discovered"; build a toolkit first.
- Diverse Portfolios Matter: Don't get stuck in one medium. If you're an actor, explore theater, voiceover, or indie film. Tung’s move to Hadestown protected her from being pigeonholed as just a YA actress.
- Maintain Professional Distance: Notice how she handles social media. She’s present but private. Protecting your personal life while engaging with a fanbase is a delicate balance that she masters by focusing on the work and specific causes rather than personal drama.
- Embrace the "Messy" Roles: Don't be afraid to play characters that are unlikeable at times. Belly Conklin’s flaws are exactly what made her a household name. Perfection is boring; complexity is what builds a career.
Lola Tung is staying power personified. As the industry continues to shift toward "content," she’s holding onto the "craft." That’s the difference between a trend and an actor with a forty-year career ahead of them. Whether she's on a beach in North Carolina or under the lights of Broadway, she's the one to watch.