The Girl In The Hot Tub: Where Is Lisa Hughes From Deftones' 'Around The Fur' Now?

Few album covers in the history of alternative metal are as instantly recognizable and shrouded in mystery as Deftones' 1997 masterpiece, Around the Fur. The iconic image—a woman, partially submerged in a hot tub, her face obscured by a fisheye lens—launched a thousand fan theories and cemented a visual legacy for the Sacramento band. As of December 14, 2025, the woman in that photo, Lisa Hughes, remains a private figure, but the details of her life now, decades after her accidental brush with rock stardom, have finally been revealed, painting a picture of a quiet life far removed from the nu-metal spotlight.

The enduring curiosity surrounding Lisa Hughes is a testament to the album’s cultural impact. Unlike many figures in rock lore, she was not a professional model or a band member’s girlfriend; she was simply a participant at a late-night party who unknowingly became the face of a generation-defining record. Her story today is one of choosing privacy and a stable career over the fleeting attention of fame, a refreshing contrast to the chaos of the music industry she briefly touched.

Lisa Hughes: Biography and The 'Around The Fur' Origin Story

Lisa Hughes is best known for her single, spontaneous appearance on the cover of Deftones’ second studio album, *Around the Fur*, released on October 28, 1997. Her lack of a public profile before and after the album's release has only added to the mystique of the artwork.

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• Full Name: Lisa Hughes
• Role: Cover Model for Deftones' *Around the Fur* (1997)
• Connection to Deftones: She was an acquaintance of the band members, present at a party during the album's recording sessions.
• Photoshoot Location: A hot tub/jacuzzi at a party in Seattle, Washington, near Studio Litho where the band was recording.
• Photographer: Rick Kosick, known for his work with *Jackass* and *Big Brother* magazine.
• Circumstances: The photo was taken spontaneously by Kosick around 4:00 AM. It was an unposed, spur-of-the-moment shot.
• Permission: Hughes granted permission for the band to use the photo after guitarist Stephen Carpenter called her and asked.
• First Interview: She gave her first public interview about the experience approximately 20 years after the album's release (around 2017), citing nervousness and excitement.

The band, including vocalist Chino Moreno and guitarist Stephen Carpenter, were fans of Rick Kosick’s work and flew him out to Seattle for the album photoshoot. They were looking for something raw and authentic, and the candid, late-night hot tub shot perfectly captured the album's raw, chaotic, yet sensual atmosphere. The original photo even included a cropped-out Frank Delgado, the band’s turntablist, further emphasizing its unscripted nature.

What Is Lisa Hughes Doing Now? A Quiet Life In Washington

After the release of *Around the Fur*, Lisa Hughes chose to step away from the public eye, embracing a life of anonymity. For decades, her identity was a closely guarded secret, known only to the band and their inner circle. The most recent and reliable information paints a clear picture of her life today, which is grounded in normalcy and a professional career.

A Career in the Medical Field

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Lisa Hughes currently resides in the state of Washington and has established a stable career in the medical field. This professional path is a world away from the rock and roll lifestyle depicted by the album cover. Her dedication to her job highlights her preference for a private, responsible life over the notoriety that could have come with her unique fame.

Maintaining a Connection to Deftones

Despite her private life, Hughes has maintained a positive relationship with the band’s legacy. She has publicly stated that she still enjoys the band's music, attends Deftones concerts, and is proud of her connection to the iconic album. She views the cover as a positive claim to fame, a unique piece of her personal history.

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In the years immediately following the album’s release, Hughes reportedly stayed in touch with Stephen Carpenter. However, in more recent years, that regular contact has faded, which is common as lives and careers diverge. Her continued appreciation for the music, however, remains strong.

The Enduring Legacy of 'Around The Fur' and Its Cover Art

The story of Lisa Hughes and the *Around the Fur* cover is a perfect microcosm of the album's lasting impact. Released between the aggressive debut *Adrenaline* and the critically acclaimed *White Pony*, *Around the Fur* is often cited by fans as the band’s most raw and visceral work. The artwork, featuring Hughes, perfectly encapsulates the album’s themes of intimacy, darkness, and spontaneity.

The Accidental Iconography

Hughes’s image became an accidental icon of the late-90s alternative metal scene. The album's success—driven by powerful tracks like "My Own Summer (Shove It)" and "Be Quiet and Drive (Far Away)"—ensured that her photo would be seen by millions. The moody, black-and-white aesthetic, combined with the mysterious, submerged figure, was far more evocative than a traditional band photo, making it a piece of modern art in its own right.

Topical Authority: Deftones' *Around the Fur* Entities

The success of the album was a collaborative effort, involving numerous key entities that contributed to its sound and imagery:

• Band Members: Chino Moreno (vocals), Stephen Carpenter (guitar), Chi Cheng (bass, RIP), Abe Cunningham (drums), and Frank Delgado (turntables/samples).
• Production: Terry Date, who helped the band achieve a more sophisticated yet heavy sound.
• Key Tracks: "Headup" (featuring Max Cavalera of Sepultura/Soulfly), "Mascara," "Lhabia," and "Dai the Flu."
• Label: Maverick Records.
• Art Design: The cover utilized a distinctive fisheye lens effect, a key part of its visual identity.

Lisa Hughes’s choice to live a quiet life, occasionally acknowledging her role in rock history, is perhaps the most intriguing part of her story. She is a reminder that some of the most enduring symbols of fame come from the most unexpected, unscripted moments, and that a life of quiet stability can be far more rewarding than the constant spotlight. Her legacy is secured not by seeking fame, but by being the perfect, accidental muse for a legendary album.