White Calls Composer’s Exit a “PR Campaign” and a “Bitch Move” as Tensions Flare Ahead of Season 4
Los Angeles, April 9: Tensions behind the scenes of HBO’s The White Lotus have spilled into public view as series creator Mike White breaks his silence on the creative clash with Emmy-winning composer Cristóbal Tapia de Veer, who recently confirmed he will not return for Season 4 due to disagreements during the third season.
Appearing on The Howard Stern Show, White hit back at the composer’s remarks in a recent New York Times interview. “I honestly don’t know what happened, except now I’m reading his interviews because he decides to do some PR campaign about him leaving the show,” White said. “I don’t think he respected me. He wanted people to know he’s edgy and dark — and I’m, I don’t know, like I watch reality TV.”
White denied there was any real “feud” between them. “We never even really fought — maybe just over some emails. It was me giving him notes, and he didn’t want to deal with that. He wasn’t a team player. I was shocked he ran to the New York Times to trash me and the show right before the finale. It was kind of a bitch move.”
Tapia de Veer, who won Emmys for his eerie and distinctive scoring of The White Lotus Seasons 1 and 2, told The Times that Season 3 was creatively strained. He revealed White wanted to ditch his now-iconic “ooh-loo-loo-loos” for a more Ibiza-inspired “clubby, sexy background vibe.” The composer said that when he tried to reintroduce those elements in a longer version of the theme, White cut them entirely.
“We already had our last fight, I think,” Tapia de Veer said. “So he was just saying no to anything.”
White countered, accusing the composer of skipping scoring sessions and being dismissive. “He’d always give me this smirk like he thought I was a chimp or something… I’ve never kissed someone’s ass so hard just to get him to cooperate.”
Despite the fallout, White acknowledged Tapia de Veer’s talent but didn’t hold back. “He is very talented. But have fun with whatever you’re doing next.”
White has become known for his no-filter approach to criticism. On The White Lotus podcast, he addressed fans complaining that Season 3 was too slow: “I’m world-building. If you don’t want to be edged, then get out of my bed. Don’t be a bossy bottom.”
As for the future of the show, White confirmed he is currently renegotiating his contract with HBO for Season 4, which has already been confirmed by Variety earlier this year.