Lola Tung has opened up about how her role in The Summer I Turned Pretty has influenced her outlook on relationships, while reflecting on her own dating experiences in 2025.
Speaking to Nylon, the 22-year-old actress discussed how portraying Belly Conklin across three seasons of the Prime Video drama has impacted her perspective on love.
The coming-of-age story, adapted from Jenny Han’s novels, follows Belly’s journey as she becomes entangled in a love triangle with brothers Jeremiah Fisher, played by Gavin Casalegno, and Conrad Fisher, played by Christopher Briney.
In season three, Belly becomes engaged to Jeremiah but continues to struggle with her lingering feelings for Conrad, with tensions coming to a head on her wedding day. Tung said the complex dynamics have offered lessons beyond the screen.
“Some men need more time to grow, which is what we also learned from Summer,” she explained, adding that people often rush relationships instead of letting them unfold naturally.
When asked about her own experiences, Tung admitted that modern dating has its challenges. “It’s hard out here,” she said, noting that she has never been comfortable with dating apps.
“I’m not an apps girl. They’ve always scared me, even in my college days.” She added that she prefers to let relationships develop without pressure: “I’m of the mindset of, ‘it’ll happen if it’s right.’”
Beyond the romance at the centre of The Summer I Turned Pretty, Tung said she gravitates towards stories that explore “flawed human female characters,” which she finds raw and engaging.
The final episodes of the series, now streaming on Prime Video, will see Belly in Paris as she seeks to rediscover herself following the end of her engagement.
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