Allison Lanier

Allison Lanier (born August 4, 1990) is an American actress who has portrayed the role of Summer Newman on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless since 2022. Lanier previously appeared in the independent films It Happened in L.A., Fish Bones and Mia, and played the recurring role of Annabelle in the third season of Red Oaks. For her role as Summer, Lanier was Lanier was shortlisted for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series in 2024.

Life and career
Allison Lanier was born on August 4, 1990, and grew up in the Atlanta area. She then moved to New York City to pursue a career in acting and modelling, where she studied at the William Esper Studio. In 2017, Lanier appeared in a recurring role as Annabelle in the third season of the American comedy-drama Red Oaks. That same year, she appeared as Megan in the comedy film It Happened in L.A.. In 2018, she portrayed Bella in the independent film Fish Bones. The following year, she appeared as Anna in the independent film Mia.

In April 2022, it was announced that Lanier would take over the role of Summer Newman on the CBS soap opera The Young and the Restless, replacing Hunter King, who chose to not return in the role. Summer's recasting and return coincidence with the return of Michael Mealor, who portrays Summer's husband, Kyle Abbott. Lanier began filming for the role on April 12, 2022, and made her first appearance as Summer on the soap on May 17 of that year. Lanier had been living in New York prior to receiving the role and travels between there and Los Angeles to film for the role, which Lanier called a "huge lifestyle change" due to now spending most of her time in Los Angeles.

Since Lanier has stepped into the role, Summer's storylines have focussed on her role as a mother, the faked death of her own mother, the breakdown of her marriage to Kyle and a romance with Chance Chancellor (Conner Floyd). Lanier enjoyed working with Mealor and exploring Summer's "vulnerable side". In April 2023, Lanier expressed feeling "incredibly lucky" when reflecting on the first anniversary of filming her first episode, writing "I filmed my first episode, countless flights back and forth to NYC, five short-term sublets, 130+ episodes shot, many tears (scripted and otherwise), many lessons, a lot of laughter, new friendships, learning, and one immeasurable love". In 2024, Lanier was shortlisted for the Daytime Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series for her role as Summer.

Personal life
Lanier identifies as a Christian. Lanier enjoys interior design and attending flea markets. In her free time, Lanier volunteers at animal shelters. Lanier is friends with her co-star Kelsey Wang, who portrays Allie Nguyen on The Young and the Restless.