Fresh off Paris Fashion Week, Laura Tung, the actress who shot to fame playing Isabelle “Berry” Conklin on Prime Video’s “The Summer I Turned Pretty,” appeared on the first episode of Variety’s “Up Next” podcast to talk about the show’s upcoming movie sequel, two new horror projects, and her path to Hollywood.
In his first podcast appearance, Tung revealed that he had not yet seen the script for the sequel to the popular book-turned-hit show, but claimed that talks have already begun with showrunner Jenny Han. “Jenny and I talked a lot about ideas,” Tan said. “I’m looking forward to reading the script.”
The film has been the subject of considerable fan speculation. When told that a cure was available, a visibly surprised Tung laughed: “No one sent me a cure.”
As for how Berry and her lover Conrad Fisher (Christopher Brine) ultimately end up together, Tung depicts two independent young men overcoming a long-distance relationship. “They love each other very much,” she said, adding that she sees Berry “living his life in Paris” and Conrad “doing his job as a doctor.”
The actress, who has played Berry since she was 18, also addressed the series’ longest-running fan debate, “Team Conrad vs. Team Jeremiah,” saying that she has teamed up after reading the books, but will leave it to Han to reveal his true feelings when the time is right. “It doesn’t matter what I think,” she says. “It all depends on you and your experience.”
But for Tan, the show’s impact goes much deeper than fan discussion. “My life has changed in every way,” she said. “It gave me a career.”
Besides “TSITP,” Tung is generating early buzz with two new horror film projects. Forbidden Fruit, a witchy thriller co-starring Lili Reinhart and produced by Diablo Cody, has already drawn comparisons to Jennifer’s Body and The Craft for its female-driven storytelling. Tung praised director Meredith Alloway’s creative vision, recalling a three-hour conversation about the complex dynamics of female friendships and “the frustration and anger that comes with being a woman.”
Director Tan, who has worked primarily with female directors, said the difference was evident during filming. “Women are very thoughtful about their conversations on set,” she says candidly.
In addition, she will appear in the new horror project “The Young People,” directed by “Long Legs” director and screenwriter Osgood Perkins. She will co-star with Nicole Kidman, Nico Parker and Tatiana Maslany. Tung described the experience as “crazy, weird and wonderful,” adding: “I got a little scared a few times on set.”
When he’s not on a horror set or reading movie scripts, Tung is also learning to carve out authentic moments amid the noise of sudden fame. She was famously spotted dancing with Rivals star Hudson Williams at the Gold House Lunar New Year party in February.
“There’s an almost instant, ‘we just like each other’ connection,” she says of their similarities as young actors running their own businesses. “I’m really grateful that he said, ‘Let’s have a good time.'”
In the interview, Tung also revealed that he sent in an audition tape for “The Summer I Turned Pretty” during his freshman year studying theater at Carnegie Mellon University. It was filmed in her college apartment, and a few days later she received a phone call. She never returned to finish school.
“I always want to go back and take classes,” she said, noting that she continues to take voice lessons and is also eyeing dance classes with friends. She also made her Broadway debut in “Hadestown,” and has not ruled out returning to the musical stage. “I’d like to do it again.”
Read the full interview here.
