"The White Lotus": Creator Mike White Calls Composer's Exit A 'Bitch Move'

Everyone loves The White Lotus but did you know creator Mike White competed on Survivor once and The Amazing Race twice? Being those two are my favorite reality shows if he wasn't TV royalty before he hit a grand slam with his show that just finished its third season Sunday smashing previous seasons records.

The drama behind The White Lotus is just as juicy off-screen as it is on. White didn’t hold back during a candid chat on The Howard Stern Show, slamming former series composer Cristóbal Tapia de Veer for bailing on the show and then criticizing him in the media. White called the move a “bitch move,” clearly fuming over the unexpected fallout.

Cristóbal, the creative mind behind the show’s wildly popular and instantly recognizable theme, recently announced his departure in a New York Times interview. The timing was particularly stinging — just days before the Season 3 finale aired — leaving White blindsided and disappointed.

During the interview, White said he felt disrespected by Cristóbal, claiming the composer grew distant as his star rose. “It became clear he didn’t want to take notes anymore,” White revealed. “Like I was a chimp or something.”

According to White, what started as creative collaboration quickly devolved into tension and inflated egos. The friction ultimately led to Cristóbal's decision to walk — a move Mike suggests was fueled by pride rather than principle.

Despite the split, The White Lotus is moving forward with Season 4 with Europe the next possible location taking place away from the beach, and White seems somewhat relieved to be parting ways creatively. While the composer’s contributions helped shape the show's vibe, White appears confident in navigating its future without him.

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Source: TMZ

Photo Credit: HBO