Lola Tung basically became the face of summer the second The Summer I Turned Pretty hit Amazon Prime. One minute she’s a college student at Carnegie Mellon, and the next, she’s Isabel "Belly" Conklin, caught in a messy, heart-wrenching love triangle. Naturally, everyone started asking: where is Lola Tung from? It’s not just a question about her GPS coordinates. People are curious about her background, how she landed a massive lead role as her first-ever professional gig, and how much of that New York energy she actually brings to the screen.
The NYC Roots You Can’t Fake
Honestly, Lola Tung is a New Yorker through and through. She wasn't just "born" there; she was raised in the heart of the city. Specifically, she grew up in New York City, which is probably why she carries herself with that effortless, grounded vibe. You can’t really replicate that "city kid" energy.
She attended the legendary Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. If that name sounds familiar, it should. It’s the "Fame" school. We're talking about the same hallways walked by Timothée Chalamet and Jennifer Aniston. She graduated in 2020, right as the world was shutting down.
While most of us were learning to bake sourdough during the pandemic, Lola was doing her senior acting showcase over Zoom. Think about that for a second. Most actors spend years pounding the pavement, but Lola’s manager actually spotted her during that virtual showcase. It’s kinda wild how a grainy webcam performance led to one of the biggest streaming hits of the decade.
A Tapestry of Heritage: Breaking Down Her Ethnicity
When people ask "where is Lola Tung from," they’re usually looking for the story behind her unique look. Her background is actually a pretty beautiful mix.
- Her Mother: Pia Tung is of Chinese and Swedish descent.
- Her Father: He has Eastern European roots.
- Grandparents: Her maternal grandmother actually hails from Sweden.
This multi-ethnic background is something fans really connected with, especially since the show The Summer I Turned Pretty made a conscious effort to reflect a mixed-race household. In interviews, Lola has mentioned how her parents were always the "creative" types who encouraged her love for the arts. Her mom, Pia, even had a brief stint in acting, and her dad spent time as a musician.
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From Carnegie Mellon to Cousins Beach
After high school, Lola headed to Pittsburgh. She enrolled in the Carnegie Mellon University School of Drama. If you know anything about acting schools, you know CMU is the "Harvard" of theater. She was only a freshman when the audition for Belly came across her desk.
She did the whole audition process via Zoom—again, very 2021—while trying to balance her classes. When she landed the part, she had to make a massive choice. She ultimately decided to take a break from school to film in Wilmington, North Carolina (which doubles as the fictional Cousins Beach).
She has often spoken about how "weird" it was to be a college student one day and the lead of a major TV show the next. She’s technically still on a leave of absence, though her career has moved at lightning speed since then.
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Why Her Upbringing Matters for the Role
Lola wasn't always the confident lead we see on screen. Growing up in NYC, she was actually a pretty shy, introverted kid. Everything changed in the sixth grade. She auditioned for a school production of The Wizard of Oz and landed the role of the Tin Man.
She’s told stories about wearing a silver jacket her mom found at a thrift store and silver rain boots. That moment—standing on a middle school stage in NYC—is where the "actress" version of Lola Tung was born.
"I remember just loving every second of it. And from that point on, it was kind of like, 'This is the thing. This is the thing I'm gonna do.'" — Lola Tung on her first acting experience.
Broadway and Beyond: Returning to the Stage
Even though the world knows her as a TV star, her heart is clearly in live theater. In early 2024, she made her Broadway debut in Hadestown, playing Eurydice. This was a huge full-circle moment for a girl who grew up watching Broadway shows in her backyard.
She’s also become a major face in the fashion world, partnering with brands like American Eagle and Coach. Specifically, she’s a face for "Coachtopia," which focuses on sustainable fashion—a cause she’s actually vocal about in real life.
Actionable Takeaway for Fans
If you're looking to follow in Lola's footsteps or just want to stay updated on her journey, here’s the "pro-tip" breakdown:
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- Watch the Growth: Rewatch The Summer I Turned Pretty Season 1 and compare it to Season 2. You can literally see her transition from a theater student to a seasoned screen actress.
- Follow the Theater Path: If you're in NYC, keep an eye on Broadway casting. Lola has expressed a deep desire to keep doing live theater, so Hadestown likely won't be her last stint on the boards.
- Support Sustainability: Check out her work with Coachtopia if you're interested in how she’s using her platform for climate advocacy.
- Stay Grounded: Take a page out of her book. Despite the fame, she still credits her dad’s advice: "Keep doing it if you love it, and don't get a big head."
Lola Tung is a New York City native who used her theater-kid roots to become a global star. Whether she’s at Carnegie Mellon, on a set in North Carolina, or on a Broadway stage, she carries that specific Manhattan grit with her.