American actress Lola Tung rose to prominence after she made her acting debut as Belly in the Amazon Prime drama The Summer I Turned Pretty. She will be reprising her role in the second season of the popular show, which airs on July 14.

The actor’s journey to landing the role of Isabel “Belly” Conklin in the series is truly remarkable. While in her freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University, she took the opportunity to audition for the role. At that time, she had no professional credits to her name, having only performed in student plays.

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Who is Lola Tung?

Lola Tung, aged 19, was born and raised in New York. She is a graduate of LaGuardia High School, a renowned institution famous for its association with Fame and esteemed alumni such as Jennifer Aniston and Timothée Chalamet.

Tung’s journey into the world of performing arts began early in her life. In fourth grade, she took part in a talent show, igniting her passion for being on stage. However, it was in sixth grade, when she portrayed the Tin Man in the musical Wizard of Oz, that her love for acting truly blossomed.

It was during her time in high school that Tung’s conviction solidified, as she immersed herself in acting classes. These experiences confirmed that pursuing a career in acting was the right path for her.

During her senior year at LaGuardia High School, Tung had the opportunity to showcase her acting skills in the school’s virtual senior acting showcase. It was during this performance that her current manager first saw her in action. Several months later, in the second semester of Tung’s freshman year at Carnegie Mellon University, her manager reached out to her, expressing interest in working together and arranging an audition for a significant role.

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Tung auditioned for the lead role of Isabel “Belly” Conklin in The Summer I Turned Pretty, the television adaptation of Jenny Han’s bestselling trilogy, produced by Amazon Prime. She was selected for the role, making it her first official acting credit.

Tung signed with the renowned American talent agency, Creative Artists Agency (CAA), in September 2021, shortly after she landed the leading role in The Summer I Turned Pretty.