For most actors, breaking into Hollywood is a slow climb—years of auditions, rejections, and bit parts before fame finally lands.
But for 22-year-old Lola Tung, the journey has been astonishingly fast.
In just a few short years, she’s gone from high school plays to leading a hit TV series, landing fashion campaigns, starring on Broadway, and even securing her first film roles.
The Role That Changed Everything
Lola first captured attention as Isabel “Belly” Conklin in The Summer I Turned Pretty, the Jenny Han adaptation that sparked both obsession and debate.
Belly, caught in the messy love triangle between Jeremiah and Conrad, quickly became one of TV’s most talked-about characters.
The show’s success launched Lola into stardom, but it also brought intense fan rivalries.
Viewers passionately split into #TeamJere and #TeamConrad, and things sometimes spiraled.
At one point, the cast even faced online death threats, prompting the show’s official accounts to remind fans: “The show isn’t real, but the people playing the characters are.”
A Rising Star in Fashion
Alongside her acting, Lola has cemented herself as a Gen Z style icon.
She’s collaborated with American Eagle, fronted a sustainable line for Coach, and worked with trendy brands like Gentle Monster and 404 Studio.
With her stylist Britt McCamey, Lola has become known for playful, detailed looks—from ballerina shoes and lace accessories to bold streetwear moments.
Her Instagram feed has only fueled her cool-girl image, with fans loving how she blends runway chic with everyday relatability.
Broadway and Beyond
Lola’s talents aren’t confined to screens and photo shoots. Trained in musical theatre, she stepped into the spotlight as Eurydice in Hadestown on Broadway, where audiences gave her thunderous applause.
She’s also already building her film career. Two horror movies are lined up for 2026—Forbidden Fruits and The Young People.
Forbidden Fruits, adapted from Lily Houghton’s play, features a powerhouse cast including Lili Reinhart and Gabrielle Union.
For Lola, it was her first time filming a feature from start to finish, an experience she called “such a blast.”
From Shy Kid to Screen Darling
Growing up on Long Island with artistic parents—a musician father and an actress mother—Lola was immersed in the arts from the beginning.
But she wasn’t always confident. She described herself as a “shy child” until she auditioned for The Wizard of Oz in middle school, playing the Tin Man and falling in love with performing.
From there, she enrolled at LaGuardia High School of Performing Arts, following in the footsteps of alumni like Jennifer Aniston and Timothée Chalamet.
She later studied drama at Carnegie Mellon, though she took a leave of absence when The Summer I Turned Pretty came calling.
Handling Fame and Fan Pressure
Lola admits fame has been overwhelming at times, especially when fans take the love triangle too seriously.
“Please don’t threaten to kill someone if something doesn’t go your way—it’s not that serious,” she told Teen Vogue.
Still, she appreciates the passion, saying it proves how deeply people connect with the story.
And personally, she feels she’s grown tougher and more spontaneous through playing Belly, learning not to overthink every move.
Industry Experts See Big Things Ahead
PR specialist Chad Teixeira believes Lola is Hollywood’s “next big thing.”
He compared her rise to Zendaya’s, highlighting her charisma, relatability, and versatility.
He also suggested her growing influence could soon push her into six-figure paychecks and A-list status.
But with that momentum comes pressure. Experts warn that avoiding typecasting and keeping strong personal boundaries will be key to ensuring her long-term success.
What’s Next for Lola Tung
As The Summer I Turned Pretty finale approaches, Lola is already looking beyond the series.
With fashion brands chasing her, Broadway on her résumé, and film projects underway, she’s on track to become one of Hollywood’s most sought-after young stars.
Reflecting on her journey, Lola says she’s grateful for every unexpected twist: “I want to dip my toe into everything.
I don’t know exactly what that looks like next, but I’m excited to see.”