Years after being discovered on the streets of New York City at 13,
@lulutenney has become one of the most sought-after models of the 2020s.
âI felt a vibe that something was going to happen,â Tenney, now 24, says of the fateful encounter. Since that day, sheâs worked with legendary photographers like Steven Meisel and brands including
@dior ,
@celine , and more. Tenney has always been drawn to roles in front of the camera; she yearns to become a character, any character, other than herself. Born and raised in Brooklyn, she attended Fiorello H.LaGuardia High School of Music, Art and the Performing Artsâalma mater of
@tchalamet and
@jenniferaniston , among othersâand her aspirations included becoming, in her words, a ârock star/cast member of Saturday Night Live/stand-up comedian/singer/dancer/actress.â To this day, she hopes to spin her modeling career into an acting one. âI grew up doing theater, and I think thatâs why I love modeling: because I love acting,â she says.
For ELLEâs February 2026 issue and new cover story, the rising star speaks to
@laurpuckett about her pre-show rituals, the magic of John Galliano, and dispels common modeling myths. Read the full interview at the link in bio.
ELLE:
@elleusa
Editor-in-chief: Nina Garcia
@ninagarcia
Photographer: Nathaniel Goldberg
@nathanielgoldberg
Stylist: Alex White
@alexwhiteedits
Hair: Pierpaolo Lai
@pierpaololaihair at Julian Watson Agency
Makeup: Tom Pecheux
@tompecheux at Safe Management
Manicure: Christina Conrad
@conradchristina at CallistĂŠ Agency
Casting: Rosie Vogel
@rosievogelcasting at Jolly Collective
Production: Louis2
@louis2.paris 
