Lana Condor: From Orphanage to Hollywood Star
Lana Therese Condor, born Trần Đồng Lan on May 11, 1997, is a Vietnamese-American actress, producer, and advocate. She’s perhaps best known for her role as Lara Jean Song Covey in Netflix’s To All the Boys trilogy, a performance that truly put her on the map. With her engaging screen presence and ability to tackle a range of roles, Condor has become a well-known name in Hollywood, using her platform to promote Asian representation and raise awareness about mental health.
Early on, Condor’s life took a different path. Born in Cần Thơ, Vietnam, she spent her infancy in an orphanage. On October 6, 1997, she was adopted by American parents Mary Carol Haubold and Bob Condor, a journalist. Renamed Lana Therese Condor, she was raised in Chicago, Illinois, alongside her adopted brother Arthur. The family later relocated to Whidbey Island, Washington, and eventually settled in New York and Los Angeles.
Condor’s dedication to dance began early, with intensive classical ballet training at places such as the Joffrey Ballet, Rock School for Dance Education, Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, and Los Angeles Ballet. She also explored improvisational theater, studying at the Groundlings. After attending the Professional Performing Arts School in New York, Condor graduated from Notre Dame Academy in Los Angeles in 2015. Although she was accepted to Loyola Marymount University, she chose to postpone her studies to concentrate on acting.
Career Breakthrough
Condor first graced the screen in 2016, portraying Jubilation Lee, or Jubilee, in Bryan Singer’s X-Men: Apocalypse. She shared the spotlight with heavyweights like Jennifer Lawrence and Michael Fassbender. That same year, she also appeared in Peter Berg’s Patriots Day, which focused on the aftermath of the Boston Marathon bombing.
Her star truly ascended in 2018, when she starred in Netflix’s To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before, a film based on Jenny Han’s novel. As the shy but lovable Lara Jean, Condor won over audiences globally, making her the first Asian-American lead in a mainstream YA rom-com. The film’s success led to two sequels: P.S. I Still Love You (2020) and Always and Forever (2021).
Her subsequent performances demonstrated her versatility: Saya Kuroki, the assassin in Syfy’s Deadly Class (2019), Koyomi in Alita: Battle Angel (2019), Erika Vu in Netflix’s Boo, Bitch (2022, which she also executive produced), Sophie in the sci-fi rom-com Moonshot (2022), and the voice of Ruby Gillman in DreamWorks’ Ruby Gillman, Teenage Kraken (2023).
In 2025, Condor took on the role of army medic Stephanie Selby in the military thriller Valiant One, appeared in the Tubi rom-com Worth the Wait, and made guest appearances on shows such as Abbott Elementary and Elsbeth. She completed filming on the survival thriller Devil’s Mouth and is currently filming the rom-com Whodunnit in Oregon, in addition to upcoming projects like Ballerina Overdrive and Coyote vs. Acme.
Personal Life and Advocacy
Condor has been in a long-term relationship with actor and musician Anthony De La Torre since 2015. She’s made a name for herself through charitable work, notably setting up a scholarship with The Asia Foundation to help girls in Vietnam get an education. She’s also a vocal proponent of diversity in Hollywood, mental health awareness, and animal rights.
Sadly, her mother, Mary Carol, died in July 2024. Even with that personal heartache, Condor continues to be a source of inspiration, demonstrating remarkable strength and a positive attitude.
By the end of 2025, with a net worth estimated at around $3 million, Lana Condor is still one of Hollywood’s up-and-coming talents, combining her acting with a commitment to important causes. Her story, from a Vietnamese orphanage to international fame, is a testament to her grit and poise.