Lio Tipton: Actor, Model, Age, Spouse Chaz Salembier, Career

Lio Tipton has carved out one of Hollywood’s most unconventional paths—from competitive figure skater to reality TV contestant to respected indie film actor. Born Analeigh Christian Tipton on November 9, 1988, in Minneapolis, Minnesota, they’re now 36 years old and have built a career that defies easy categorization. Their journey includes everything from nearly being trafficked as a young model to publicly coming out as non-binary in 2021, all while maintaining a steady presence in both mainstream and independent cinema.

What sets Tipton apart isn’t just their varied resume but their willingness to be vulnerable about the messy, uncomfortable parts of breaking into entertainment. They’ve spoken openly about the dangers young models face, the awkwardness of transitioning from reality TV to serious acting, and the emotional weight of announcing their true identity to the world. Their marriage to entertainment executive Chaz Salembier in October 2022 marked another chapter in a life lived authentically, even when that authenticity comes with a price.

Lio Tipton Quick Bio/Wiki

Facts	Details
Full Name	Analeigh Christian Tipton (birth name)
Professional Name	Lio Tipton
Date of Birth	November 9, 1988
Age	36 years old (as of November 2025)
Birthplace	Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
Zodiac Sign	Scorpio
Height	5 feet 9.5 inches (177 cm)
Hair Color	Brown
Eye Color	Blue
Pronouns	They/She
Gender Identity	Non-binary
Sexual Orientation	Queer
Spouse	Chaz Salembier (m. October 2022)
Children	None (as of 2025)
Parents	Robin Jeanne Debes (mother)<br>Stephen Kimberley Tipton (father)
Siblings	Whitney Tipton (older sister)
Profession	Actor, Model, Former Figure Skater
Years Active	2008–present

Lio Tipton Early Life and Athletic Foundation

Tipton’s story begins on the ice, not on screen or runway. They started figure skating at just two and a half years old in Minneapolis, developing the discipline and competitive drive that would later fuel their entertainment career. This wasn’t casual weekend skating—Tipton competed in four U.S. Synchronized Skating Championships and twice became regional champions alongside pair partner Phillip Cooke.

When Tipton was eight, their family—parents Robin Jeanne Debes and Stephen Kimberley Tipton, plus older sister Whitney—moved to Sacramento, California. Tipton attended school in Placerville, where their skating career intensified rather than diminished. They competed twice at the U.S. Junior Figure Skating Championships at the Juvenile level, proving they had the technical skill to compete nationally.

At 16, Tipton retired from competitive skating but didn’t abandon the sport entirely. They continued performing in charity ice shows for AIDS foundations and participated in events to rebuild a rink damaged by fire. This early commitment to using their platform for good would become a thread throughout their public life, even before they had a significant platform to speak from.

Education and Creative Awakening

After hanging up their skates, Tipton enrolled at Marymount California University in Rancho Palos Verdes, where they studied film. According to their IMDb biography, Lio Tipton spent spare time writing a zombie movie—a detail that reveals creative ambitions were brewing long before acting became their primary focus. This early interest in storytelling, particularly in genre work, would later manifest in roles like Nora in the zombie-romance Warm Bodies.

The shift from athlete to artist wasn’t immediate or smooth. Their college years represented a transitional period where they explored what creative expression might look like beyond the rigid structure of competitive sports.

Breaking Through: America’s Next Top Model

Before America’s Next Top Model came calling, Tipton was already dipping their toes into modeling—signed to I Model & Talent in Los Angeles and walking in Los Angeles Fashion Week for designer Kelly Nishimoto’s Fall 2008 collection, Imasu. They were recruited through MySpace, which in 2008 was still a viable platform for talent scouts, and asked to audition for Cycle 11.

During the show, Tipton revealed they had once encountered sex traffickers posing as modeling agents and were sold to a Saudi Arabian prince, but managed to escape before the deal was finalized. In a Daily Beast interview, Tipton described this as their moment of needing to “grow a spine.” This harrowing admission on national television brought much-needed attention to predatory practices that lurk in the modeling industry, particularly targeting young people seeking legitimate representation.

Tipton’s performance on ANTM was strong—they were called first twice, including once for what Tyra Banks deemed “the best CoverGirl commercial in the history of America’s Next Top Model.” They won the go-sees challenge by booking all three appointments and returning on time. Tipton was eliminated in the finale after forgetting their lines in the second CoverGirl commercial, finishing in third place behind Samantha Potter and McKey Sullivan.

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Lio Tipton Modeling Career: Beautiful but Brief

Following ANTM, Tipton signed with Ford Models in Los Angeles and Abrams Artists Agency in both commercial and theatrical divisions. Their editorial work appeared in Spain’s Marie Claire, Seventeen magazine’s December 2008-January 2009 edition, a several-page spread in Maxim, and Vogue. They walked for brands like Forever 21 and Guess, and in 2010 modeled Geren Ford’s pre-fall collection plus walked for Skingraft and David Alexander during Los Angeles Fashion Week’s S/S 2010 season.

But modeling never felt like home. As Tipton told The Daily Beast, “I showed up to most of my shows in Birkenstocks and T-shirts, and it just wasn’t my world.” To People, they were even more direct: “I tried the whole modeling thing but it was very unnatural. I talked far too much, I wasn’t good at wearing heels and I was always late.”

This candid assessment reveals someone who recognized their strengths and weaknesses early. Rather than forcing themselves into an ill-fitting mold, Tipton pivoted toward something that allowed them to use their voice and storytelling instincts—acting.

Transition to Acting: Finding a Natural Fit

Tipton’s acting career began in 2008 when they appeared on The Big Bang Theory alongside fellow ANTM contestant Samantha Potter. They would return to the show in 2015 in a different role as Vanessa Bennett, working with Jim Parsons and the established CBS sitcom cast. These early television appearances gave Tipton a taste of professional acting, where talking too much was actually an asset rather than a liability.

Their film breakthrough came in 2011 with Crazy, Stupid, Love, where they played Jessica Riley, a babysitter with a crush on Steve Carell’s character. The New York Times called Tipton “a face to watch”—high praise that signaled their transition from reality TV contestant to legitimate actor was complete. That same year, they appeared in The Green Hornet with Seth Rogen and Damsels in Distress with Greta Gerwig, demonstrating range across genres.

In 2011, Tipton was also cast in the third season of HBO’s Hung, portraying Sandee, a young gigolo’s scheming fiancée, across eight episodes. This recurring role gave them substantial screen time to develop a character over multiple episodes.

Lio Tipton Building an Indie Film Career

Tipton’s filmography from 2013 onward reveals an actor drawn to intimate, character-driven projects rather than blockbuster stardom. They played Nora in 2013’s Warm Bodies, a zombie-apocalyptic horror-romance directed by Jonathan Levine. In 2014, they had a small role opposite Scarlett Johansson in Luc Besson’s Lucy, proving they could hold their own in big-budget sci-fi.

That same year, Tipton secured their first lead role in Two Night Stand, directed by Max Nichols and released September 26, 2014. They played Megan Pagano opposite Miles Teller in this romantic comedy, finally getting above-the-title billing. According to ScreenDollars, Tipton’s career accelerated through indie films: 4 Minute Mile (2014) with Richard Jenkins and Kim Basinger, Mississippi Grind (2015) with Ryan Reynolds and Ben Mendelsohn, James Franco’s In Dubious Battle (2016), and Alex Ross Perry’s Golden Exits (2017), which premiered at Sundance and Berlin Film Festivals.

Golden Exits represents the kind of art house cinema Tipton gravitates toward—intimate ensemble pieces with complex emotional textures, co-starring Lily Rabe, Jason Schwartzman, Chloe Sevigny, and Mary-Louise Parker. This film demonstrated Tipton’s ability to work within prestigious festival circuits, earning credibility with critics and indie film audiences who value nuanced performances over box office numbers.

Television Work: Selective but Impactful

In 2014, Tipton co-led ABC’s short-lived comedy Manhattan Love Story as Dana Hopkins, where they met and began dating co-star Jake McDorman. Though the show was canceled quickly, it proved significant personally—McDorman would later publicly support Tipton’s coming out announcement with the comment “Proud of you Lio ❤️.”

In 2018, Tipton appeared in the Murphy Brown revival as Lauren, Avery’s date. The following year, they played Mary Vlasin in three episodes of CBS All Access’s Why Women Kill.

Tipton’s most significant television role came in 2022 with Peacock’s miniseries A Friend of the Family, based on the harrowing true story of Jan Broberg, who was groomed and kidnapped multiple times by family friend Robert Berchtold. Tipton played Gail Berchtold, the predator’s wife, alongside Jake Lacy, Anna Paquin, and Colin Hanks.

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Creative Process: Writing Songs in Character

Tipton’s approach to character development sets them apart from many actors working today. Rather than relying solely on traditional method acting techniques, they incorporate songwriting into their preparation. For A Friend of the Family, this meant writing songs from Gail Berchtold’s perspective about her predatory husband, exploring how someone could remain in such a toxic relationship.

In an exclusive ScreenRant interview, Tipton revealed: “I did all of my relationship work exterior of Jake. I wrote songs in character about Bob, and tried to find how much I was connected [with him] and find that ideal love, ideal family situation and everything.” This understanding of grooming’s incremental nature informed their portrayal of a woman trapped in manipulation she couldn’t quite name.

This multi-disciplinary approach—using music to access emotional truth—reflects Tipton’s background in multiple art forms. From competitive skating to modeling to acting to songwriting, they bring a holistic creative sensibility that enriches their performances with layers most actors wouldn’t think to add.

Name Change and Professional Credits

Tipton’s final film credited under the name Analeigh Tipton was Summer Night (2019), an ensemble romantic comedy with Ellar Coltrane and Hayden Szeto. Their first film credit as Lio Tipton came in B.J. Novak’s black comedy Vengeance (2022), which also starred Dove Cameron and Ashton Kutcher.

This professional name change aligned with their personal coming out journey, marking a clear before-and-after in their public identity. For an actor who had already navigated the industry’s tendency to typecast and dismiss reality TV contestants, this additional layer of visibility required courage.

Coming Out: June 2021

On Wednesday, June 2, 2021, at age 32, Tipton publicly came out as queer and non-binary on Instagram just after Pride Month began. Their announcement read: “Hi. My name is Lio. My pronouns are they/she. I am proud to announce I am queer and I identify as non binary. I hope to give as much love and support back to those who continue to show love and support for the Pride community at large.”

Hours later, Tipton posted a tearful selfie video to their Instagram Story, joking through obvious emotion: “Clearly, it didn’t affect me at all. Thank you.” This vulnerable follow-up showed the weight of the announcement despite overwhelming support from fans and industry peers.

Tipton went Instagram official with partner Chaz Salembier in June 2021, posting about their relationship: “Thank goodness for my partner, @chazsalembier with whom I am in a queer relationship with, who accepts who I am entirely and only encourages and constantly validates my journey forward, even when I have hesitated.”

Lio Tipton Marriage to Chaz Salembier

Tipton married entertainment executive Chaz Salembier in October 2022 in a two-part celebration that perfectly captured their personality—intimate, meaningful, and unapologetically Midwestern. The couple had an official courthouse ceremony on Thursday, October 6, 2022, with 20 guests (reports People). For this legal ceremony, Tipton wore a suit made by Ukrainian designer Nataliya Novitska.

The larger celebration happened Saturday, October 8, 2022, at Tipton’s family lake home near Minocqua, Wisconsin, with 35 guests. Tipton wore a white Reformation gown purchased on Poshmark, their mother’s veil, and white Converse sneakers, carrying a sunflower bouquet as they walked down the aisle with their father. Their cousin played acoustic guitar during the outdoor backyard ceremony, and WolfMan, their dog, served as ring bearer.

The reception was quintessentially Wisconsin—grilled bratwurst, local cheese, followed by pizza and bar fare at a local pub. As reported by E! Online, the venue featured “neon bar signs, the Alabama game playing in the background and a dance floor lined with arcade games and covered with hundreds of warm string lights, floor to ceiling.” Tipton and Salembier’s first dance was to “Dela” by Johnny Clegg, with their parent dance to Billy Joel’s “Lullaby.”

Recent Work: Love Hurts and Beyond

In 2025, Tipton appeared in Love Hurts, an action film starring Ke Huy Quan and Ariana DeBose about a former assassin-turned-realtor whose past catches up with him. Tipton played Ashley, returning to big-budget studio filmmaking after years focused primarily on indie projects.

In a NewBeauty interview about the production, Tipton said: “Thankfully, for Love Hurts, the crew and the cast were so collaborative and open that it was really easy to launch. She’s a fun character, so it wasn’t too stressful.” They also appeared in 2024’s The Edge of Sleep series and the 2023 independent film Riddle of Fire, directed by Weston Razooli in his feature debut.

Looking ahead, Tipton expressed excitement about returning to their indie roots: “I have a few projects coming up. I have an indie film that I’m very excited about, which is filming in New York. The filmmakers are New York art house film directors.”

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Lio Tipton Personal Life and Interests

As of November 2025, Tipton stands 5 feet 9.5 inches (177 cm) tall with brown hair and blue eyes. Their zodiac sign is Scorpio, and they were raised in Sacramento, California, with older sister Whitney. According to available information as of 2025, Tipton and Salembier do not have children.

Tipton has a tattoo on the back of their right shoulder featuring lyrics from “Plainsong” by The Cure: “sometimes you make me feel like i’m living at the edge of the world.” This tattoo reflects their appreciation for alternative music and poetic expression.

Their hobbies include dancing (which they cited as their favorite part of their wedding), video gaming with Salembier, fishing at the Wisconsin family lake home, and writing. WolfMan, their dog who served as ring bearer, remains an important part of their Los Angeles life.

Beauty Philosophy and Skincare

Tipton has been refreshingly honest about their skincare approach. In an interview with NewBeauty (2025), they explained: “I have cystic acne, so I use a 10% face wash with benzoyl peroxide and an over-the-counter lotion. It’s always nice to remove makeup—especially getting out of a character.”

Tipton shared a unique beauty hack: “In my every day, I love Egyptian Magic, which I use constantly. I like to mix it with some sort of stain or tint for blush. It’s great. It’s extremely easy and refreshing and quick.”

This practical, minimalist approach to beauty reflects Tipton’s broader philosophy of working with what they have rather than chasing unattainable standards. In an industry that often demands physical perfection, their candor offers valuable representation for people navigating similar challenges.

Career Philosophy and Industry Perspective

Tipton has maintained remarkable perspective about their unconventional path into entertainment. Despite the judgment they’ve faced for starting on reality TV, they told People in 2014: “I’ve ran into people who judge me for being on a reality show and have such a close-minded assessment of who I am. But ANTM taught me really early on to have a stiff upper lip.”

On the press and public-facing aspects of acting, Tipton offered insight: “When I’m on set, I get to work as the character. In press, I’m no longer the character. I’m talking about the character, so it really has to do with also representing myself, which I feel like is a much more stressful thing than just doing my job embodying the character.”

Tipton describes themselves as non-confrontational: “I am not really in the middle of any drama, thankfully. I’m not a fighter. If there’s something going on that I really feel strongly about, I’ll certainly stand up but I pick my battles.”

Lio Tipton Filmography Highlights

Key Films (as of November 2025):

• The Green Hornet (2011) – Feature film debut with Seth Rogen
• Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011) – Breakthrough role; praised by The New York Times
• Damsels in Distress (2011) – Art house debut with Whit Stillman
• Warm Bodies (2013) – Zombie-romance with Nicholas Hoult
• Lucy (2014) – Sci-fi action with Scarlett Johansson
• Two Night Stand (2014) – First lead role opposite Miles Teller
• Mississippi Grind (2015) – Critical indie success with Ryan Reynolds
• In Dubious Battle (2016) – Steinbeck adaptation directed by James Franco
• Golden Exits (2017) – Sundance and Berlin premiere
• Vengeance (2022) – First credit as “Lio Tipton”
• Love Hurts (2025) – Action film with Ke Huy Quan

Television Work:

• The Big Bang Theory (2008, 2015) – Two separate guest appearances
• Hung (HBO, 2011) – 8 episodes as Sandee
• Manhattan Love Story (ABC, 2014) – Co-lead role
• A Friend of the Family (Peacock, 2022) – Gail Berchtold role

This timeline reveals an actor who has worked consistently across two decades, balancing mainstream visibility with indie credibility.

Legacy and Cultural Impact

Tipton’s journey from competitive figure skater to reality TV contestant to respected actor represents one of entertainment’s more unusual success stories. Their willingness to discuss difficult experiences—from trafficking attempts to coming out as non-binary—has added important visibility to issues often kept private in Hollywood.

Their creative approach to acting, particularly writing songs to develop characters, demonstrates a multi-disciplinary artistic sensibility that enriches the work itself. As Tipton continues balancing mainstream projects with intimate indie films, they exemplify an actor committed to both craft and authenticity.

In their own words about career evolution: “It’s such a strange experience, honestly, because you always film it a year or two or three earlier. It’s like a little family reunion. It’s exciting to finally see it all come together.”

Conclusion

Lio Tipton’s career defies simple categorization—they’ve been an elite athlete, a reality TV contestant, a fashion model, and a working actor across two decades of consistent employment in a notoriously unstable industry. At 36 years old as of November 2025, married to Chaz Salembier and based in Los Angeles, Tipton continues pursuing projects that challenge them creatively while maintaining the authenticity that has defined their public journey.

What makes Tipton’s story compelling isn’t just the varied resume but the throughline of honesty running through it all. From admitting they were terrible at modeling to tearfully coming out as non-binary, Tipton consistently chooses vulnerability over polish. In doing so, they’ve created space for others navigating similar paths—people who don’t fit neatly into industry boxes, who’ve survived exploitation, who are discovering their identities in public.

Their upcoming indie projects in New York, combined with continued writing and music exploration, suggest Tipton is entering a new phase of creative control. After years of proving themselves across genres and formats, they’ve earned the credibility to shape their own narrative—both on screen and in life.

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FAQ’s About Lio Tipton

How old is Lio Tipton? 

Lio Tipton is 36 years old as of November 2025, born November 9, 1988, in Minneapolis, Minnesota.

Is Lio Tipton married? 

Yes, Tipton married entertainment executive Chaz Salembier in October 2022 in Wisconsin.

What are Lio Tipton’s pronouns? 

Tipton uses they/she pronouns and identifies as non-binary and queer, publicly coming out in June 2021.

What was Lio Tipton’s name before? 

Tipton was born Analeigh Christian Tipton; their last credit under that name was Summer Night (2019).

Did Lio Tipton compete in America’s Next Top Model? 

Yes, Tipton competed in ANTM Cycle 11 in 2008, finishing third after a strong performance.

How tall is Lio Tipton? 

Tipton stands 5 feet 9.5 inches (177 cm) tall.

What movies has Lio Tipton been in? 

Notable films include Crazy, Stupid, Love (2011), Warm Bodies (2013), Mississippi Grind (2015), and Love Hurts (2025).

Does Lio Tipton have children? 

As of November 2025, Tipton and spouse Chaz Salembier do not have children.