Why The Summer I Turned Pretty’s Lola Tung Will Always Be 'Team Belly'

The star of Prime Video's popular series reveals her summer favorites and unpacks her character's complex arc for the final season.

From the moment The Summer I Turned Pretty premiered in 2022, fans took sides: Team Conrad or Team Jeremiah.

The debate raged across social media platforms and on group chats. But Lola Tung, who has portrayed Isabel “Belly” Conklin since the beginning, has always had a different answer: She’s Team Belly. And as the series wraps up with its third and final season on Prime Video, Tung is holding fast to that perspective — because, for her, playing Belly has been a deeply personal journey of self-discovery, independence and growth.

“I very much understand her brain and where she’s coming from,” Tung tells the Television Academy. “She’s the main character in her story and I’ll always support wherever her heart is leading her.”

Based on Jenny Han’s bestselling young adult trilogy, the series follows Belly as she comes of age during summers in the idyllic, fictional town of Cousins Beach. There, she is caught in a long-running love triangle between brothers Conrad (Christopher Briney) and Jeremiah Fisher (Gavin Casalegno). Summer’s popular second season ended with Belly choosing Jeremiah, and season three opens after a four-year time jump that finds Belly a junior in college and still struggling with the complications of past choices. It’s a struggle that Tung can empathize with.   

“I was 18 when we started, and Belly was 16,” Tung recalls. “Even though I wasn’t exactly her age, I remembered being 16 so clearly. I could still relate to all those emotions — figuring out who you are, stepping into a new chapter, taking risks.”

Now 22, Tung is closing the chapter on the role that launched her screen career. In many ways, she’s grown up alongside her character. “It’s been such a formative experience,” she says. “I’ve grown a lot, and Belly has grown a lot. Watching her make tough choices and take bold steps has inspired me to do the same.”

Photo credit: Prime Video

Originally trained in theater, Tung had no formal on-camera experience when she landed the role. “I didn’t really have much experience besides making iMovie and Video Star videos with my friends when we were younger,” she laughs. “But I’ve loved learning about the technical side of TV — how long it takes to shoot a scene, how things come together in editing. It’s such a special medium, and so different from theater.”

That contrast became especially clear after Tung made her Broadway debut in Hadestown, when she returned to set for The Summer I Turned Pretty’s third season. “I remember the sound team told me they had to turn down my mic because I was projecting so much,” she says.

Season three brings new emotional layers to Belly’s story, and to Tung’s performance — especially in the early episodes. In one pivotal sequence that takes place at a frat party, Belly discovers that Jeremiah cheated on her while on Spring Break in Cabo. The scene demanded both technical precision and emotional vulnerability from the young star.

“The frat house scenes in episode one were tough,” Tung explains. “Technically, there were so many people, and we had to film with the music off but still act like it was blasting. And, emotionally, it goes to such intense places. Those days can be draining, but we had such a supportive, respectful team.”

For fans, season three offers a chance to revisit the characters that they’ve grown to love for the last time — and perhaps see them through a more nuanced lens.

“I’m just excited for people to see the full arc of the season,” Tung says. “I hope people come away with more empathy for why each character makes the choices they do.”

Before she officially says goodbye to summer (and Cousins Beach), Tung took a moment to share a few of her own warm-weather favorites — from what’s on her playlist to which character she’d want as her vacation buddy.

Lola’s Summer Favorites

Song of the Summer
“I’ve been loving all of Reneé Rapp’s songs — ‘Leave Me Alone’ is a great one. Also ‘Shapeshifter’ by Lorde has been on repeat for sure.”

TV Show You’re Watching Right Now?
“I’m watching Girls for the first time, which has been so fun. I started Adults — I need to finish it!”

Go-To Beach Snack
“Some sort of fruit. Watermelon or cherries.”

Favorite Summer Dessert
“I love Ralph’s Italian Ices in New York. But soft serve hits the spot, too.”

Which Summer I Turned Pretty Character Would You Vacation With?
“I’m going to say Taylor, because she’s probably got the connects everywhere. She would know all the cool spots and plan a fun trip.”

Favorite Childhood Summer Vacation
“My family would visit relatives in Sweden, and it was always such a special time hanging out with my cousins.”

Favorite Summer Movie
Theater Camp or High School Musical 2!”


The Summer I Turned Pretty is streaming now on Prime Video.