The Swiftie Star: How a Wave from Taylor Swift Nearly Made Lola Tung Faint
The Swiftie Star: How a Wave from Taylor Swift Nearly Made Lola Tung Faint: In the vast, glittering universe of pop culture, there are moments that feel scripted by fate itself—moments so perfect, so incredibly fitting, that they resonate with fans across the globe. One such moment unfolded under the dazzling lights of Taylor Swift’s monumental Eras Tour. It involved Lola Tung, the bright and beloved star of Prime Video’s hit series “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” a show that has, in many ways, become a love letter to Swift’s music. During a performance, the world’s biggest pop star took a moment to lock eyes with Tung in the crowd, offer a wave, and mouth a simple, “I love you guys.” For Tung, a self-proclaimed lifelong Swiftie, the experience was nothing short of overwhelming. As she later confessed, she “nearly passed out.” This single interaction wasn’t just a celebrity spotting a celebrity; it was a beautiful, full-circle culmination of fandom, art, and the surreal journey of a young actress whose career is inextricably linked with the music of her idol. It was a moment that sent ripples across the internet, a testament to the powerful, intertwined worlds of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” and its unofficial fairy godmother, Taylor Swift.
The Making of a Swiftie: Lola Tung’s Lifelong Fandom
Long before Lola Tung was known to the world as Isabel “Belly” Conklin, she was just another girl captivated by the storytelling of Taylor Swift. Born and raised in New York City, Tung grew up in an environment that fostered her artistic talents, eventually leading her to the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia High School of Music & Art and Performing Arts. But like millions of others, her personal soundtrack was dominated by Swift’s evolving discography. She has spoken fondly of listening to albums like Fearless, Speak Now, and Red on her CD player, a nostalgic image that paints a clear picture of her formative years.
This wasn’t a casual appreciation; it was a deep, personal connection to the lyrics and melodies that defined a generation. Swift’s songs about first love, heartbreak, friendship, and self-discovery were the anthems of Tung’s own youth. This genuine, long-standing fandom makes her role in “The Summer I Turned Pretty” feel even more authentic. She isn’t just acting out scenes set to a popular artist’s music; she is living a reality where the songs that shaped her are now shaping the character that made her a star. Her portrayal of Belly, a character navigating the turbulent waters of adolescence and romance, is infused with an understanding that comes from having grown up with the very emotions Swift so masterfully chronicles in her music. This foundation as a true Swiftie is what makes the Eras Tour moment so potent—it was the culmination of a decade-plus journey from a fan in her bedroom to a star acknowledged by her hero.
A Soundtrack Woven with Gold: Taylor Swift’s Music as the Heartbeat of Cousins Beach
It is impossible to talk about “The Summer I Turned Pretty” without talking about Taylor Swift. Her music is not just layered over scenes; it is woven into the very fabric of the show’s DNA. Jenny Han, the author of the bestselling book trilogy and the series’ creator, is a known Swiftie herself and has been incredibly intentional about its inclusion. The show’s soundtrack has become a treasure trove for fans, a perfectly curated playlist that elevates every emotional beat.
From the very first season, Swift’s songs have marked the most pivotal moments in Belly’s life. The soaring notes of “Lover” and the nostalgic ache of “False God” became synonymous with Belly’s intoxicating summer romances. The angsty, cinematic “The Way I Loved You (Taylor’s Version)” perfectly captured the chaotic pull between the Fisher brothers, Conrad and Jeremiah. Season two delved even deeper into the Swift catalog, using tracks like “Last Kiss (Taylor’s Version)” and “Bigger Than The Whole Sky” to underscore themes of grief and loss following Susannah’s death.
The selection of these songs is a masterclass in musical supervision. “This Love (Taylor’s Version)” was famously debuted in the show’s first trailer, signaling to fans immediately that the series would honor the spirit of the books. Han herself wrote a personal, handwritten note to Swift to secure the rights to “Red (Taylor’s Version)” for a key scene, understanding that no other song could capture the specific emotion she was aiming for. The use of “august” from folklore was another fan-favorite moment, a song about a fleeting summer romance that felt tailor-made for the wistful atmosphere of Cousins Beach. This deep, symbiotic relationship between the show and Swift’s music has created a unique cultural feedback loop: fans of the show become new Swifties, and existing Swifties flock to the show, eager to see how their favorite songs are brought to life.
The Encounter: A Wave, a Heart, and a Near-Fainting Spell
For Lola Tung, the Eras Tour was more than just a concert; it was a pilgrimage. Attending with Jenny Han, the architect of her career, already felt surreal. They were in the crowd, two key figures in a show that celebrated Swift’s artistry, now participating in the ultimate celebration of that art. The energy in the stadium was electric, a shared experience of joy and community among tens of thousands of fans.
The magical moment happened during the performance of “False God,” a song from the album Lover that was poignantly used in the first season of the show. As Swift moved across the stage, her eyes scanned the sea of faces. And then, she saw them. She recognized Tung and Han. In a gesture that was both grand and intimately personal, Swift waved directly at them and formed a heart with her hands, a simple yet powerful acknowledgment that bridged the gap between the stage and the audience.
For Tung, the world seemed to stop. In that instant, she was no longer Belly Conklin, the rising star. She was the girl who grew up singing into her hairbrush, the teenager who found solace in Swift’s lyrics. To be seen, to be acknowledged, by the artist who had meant so much to her for so long was an emotional overload in the best possible way. Her reaction—feeling like she was about to pass out—was not an exaggeration. It was the physical manifestation of a dream colliding with reality. It was a raw, unfiltered, and deeply relatable moment that she later shared on “The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon,” allowing fans a glimpse into the profound impact it had on her. It was a beautiful reminder that behind every celebrity is a person who, like the rest of us, can be completely starstruck by their heroes.
Beyond the Summer: The Rise of Lola Tung
While her connection to Taylor Swift has become a defining part of her public narrative, Lola Tung’s talent stands firmly on its own. Her journey to stardom is a testament to both skill and serendipity. After honing her craft at LaGuardia High School, she was in her first year at Carnegie Mellon University’s prestigious School of Drama when her manager, who had spotted her in a virtual senior showcase, sent her the audition for “The Summer I Turned Pretty.”
Auditioning over Zoom while juggling remote college classes, Tung landed the lead role of Belly Conklin—her very first professional acting credit. It was a monumental debut. She was tasked with embodying a character beloved by millions of readers, a character whose emotional journey is the central pillar of the entire story. Tung rose to the occasion with a performance that was both vulnerable and resilient. She perfectly captured Belly’s awkwardness, her joy, her confusion, and her growth from a girl into a young woman.
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Her on-screen chemistry with her co-stars, Christopher Briney (Conrad) and Gavin Casalegno (Jeremiah), is the anchor of the show’s central love triangle, fueling endless debates among the show’s passionate fanbase. Beyond the screen, Tung has also made her mark on the stage, taking on the role of Eurydice in the acclaimed Broadway musical Hadestown, showcasing her singing abilities and further proving her versatility as a performer. Her advocacy for causes like women’s rights and climate change also demonstrates a maturity and awareness that extends beyond her years. Lola Tung is not just the “girl from that show”; she is a formidable and multifaceted young talent whose career is only just beginning.
The Power of Fandom: A Tale of Two Communities
The viral moment at the Eras Tour also highlighted the immense power of modern fandom. Both Taylor Swift and “The Summer I Turned Pretty” have cultivated some of the most dedicated and engaged fan communities in the world. Swifties, as they are famously known, are a global force. They are lyrical detectives, Easter egg hunters, and fiercely loyal defenders of their icon. Their ability to organize, create content, and drive cultural conversations is unparalleled. They dissect every lyric, music video, and public appearance, building a rich and complex “Swift-verse” of theories and lore.
Similarly, the fanbase of “The Summer I Turned Pretty” is intensely passionate. They are deeply invested in the characters and the central love triangle, leading to the creation of “Team Conrad” and “Team Jeremiah” factions that dominate social media discussions. This passion, however, can sometimes become overwhelming. The show’s official social media accounts have had to issue statements encouraging kindness and reminding fans to differentiate between fictional characters and the real-life actors who portray them. Lola Tung herself has commented on how “a little scary” the intensity can get, a sentiment that speaks to the double-edged sword of having such a devoted audience.
When these two fandoms intersected through Lola’s encounter, it was an explosion of shared excitement. For Swifties, it was a moment that reinforced their belief in Taylor’s generosity and her appreciation for how other artists interpret her work. For fans of the show, it was a stamp of approval from the highest court of pop culture, a sign that their beloved series was truly significant. It was a beautiful collision of two worlds, proving that in the age of social media, a simple wave can become a global event, connecting thousands of people through a shared love for stories and songs.
Conclusion: A Perfect Full-Circle Story
The story of Lola Tung and Taylor Swift is more than just a charming anecdote. It is a microcosm of a new era of celebrity, where the lines between creator and consumer, idol and fan, are beautifully blurred. It’s a story about a young girl who found pieces of her own life in Taylor Swift’s songs, only to grow up and star in a show that uses those very songs to tell its own story. The wave and the heart gesture at the Eras Tour were not just a fleeting interaction; they were the closing of a loop, a symbolic passing of a torch in the vast landscape of female-led storytelling.
It speaks to the enduring power of dreams and the unpredictable paths they can take. Lola Tung’s journey is an inspiration, a reminder that the art we consume as young people can become the art we create as adults. As “The Summer I Turned Pretty” heads into its final season, this moment serves as a perfect, poignant grace note. It solidifies the show’s legacy not just as a successful teen drama, but as a cultural touchstone that captured the magic of summer, the complexity of love, and the timeless, universal language of a Taylor Swift song. And for one bright young star, it provided a core memory that will last a lifetime—a story she will one day tell about the time her wildest fangirl dream came true.
