The White Lotus Composer Wins Third Emmy After Fallout With Creator

Cristóbal Tapia de Veer won the Creative Arts Emmy Award for Outstanding Main Title Theme Music for the third season of HBO's The White Lotus, marking his third Emmy win for the series. Despite this accolade, Tapia de Veer publicly clashed with creator Mike White over changes to the show's iconic theme, particularly the removal of the fan-favorite 'ooh-loo-loo-loos' vocal notes. Tapia de Veer attempted to reintegrate these melodies but was overruled by White, leading to the composer's decision to leave the show before its fourth season. The dispute became public, with White criticizing Tapia de Veer for airing grievances in the media and questioning his willingness to collaborate. Meanwhile, Tapia de Veer expressed frustration over creative differences and the challenges of taking notes, emphasizing his desire for artistic autonomy. This conflict highlighted ongoing tensions behind the scenes, even as Tapia de Veer's music remained central to the series' identity and success.