The White Lotus co-stars Aimee Lou Wood and Michelle Monaghan explain how important BLACKPINK member Lalisa “Lisa” Manobal is for season 3. The Emmy-winning anthology series is back for more drama and crime at the luxurious White Lotus resort, now set in Thailand. The new ensemble of wealthy guests includes Wood’s Chelsea, the significantly younger girlfriend of Rick (Walton Goggins) and Monaghan’s Jaclyn, who is on a long overdue girls’ trip. The White Lotus season 3 cast also features Jason Isaacs, Parker Posey, Carrie Coon, and Leslie Bibb, and will premiere on HBO/Max on February 16.
In an interview with ScreenRant‘s Tessa Smith, Wood and Monaghan opened up about Lisa’s story in White Lotus season 3. The Thai singer, rapper, and dancer will make her acting debut as health mentor Mook at the resort’s Thailand location, alongside Natasha Rothwell, who will be reprising her role as spa manager Belinda Lindsey, and newcomer Tayme Thapthimthong, who portrays the security guard Gaitok. Read what they had to say below:
Wood: Lisa was so social. Like she’s so cool. She would invite people over for drinks at her house, like her little hotel room the whole time. She’s really, really down-to-earth. You would never think. I actually didn’t understand it fully because she was so cool and so chilled that I wasn’t getting it.
Monaghan: She’s so unassuming.
Wood: But the level of fame and stardom is so huge. It’s kind of so hard to get your head around. I couldn’t really.
Monaghan: And the fact, I had no idea that this was her first acting job. And I had no idea. I started watching the episodes and then somebody said it to me in the previous interviews, and I was like, you’re kidding me. She’s so incredible. She and Tayme are so beautiful. I love that storyline so much.
I think that’s the most surprising one because that was also in Thai, you know? I just love how Mike has just woven that story in, that Thai sort of love story. And they’re both just so pure. What they bring to this season is such purity and their chemistry together is so beautiful. I was like, oh my gosh. She’s so very talented, as is he.
What Lisa’s White Lotus Season 3 Story Means
An Innocent Love Story Amid Deadly Games And Deception
Mook in The White Lotus season 3 will mark Lisa’s first venture into film and television. A native of Thailand, the performer achieved international acclaim through the K-pop supergroup BLACKPINK, which quickly became one of the best-selling girl groups of all time since their album debut in 2016. Thapthimthong’s Gaitok is a soft-spoken security guard for the resort who develops a crush on the unassuming Mook. Despite this being her first acting job, Monaghan noted that Lisa’s performance was “incredible” and that Mook and Gaitok’s love story is “so beautiful.”
Across its first two critically acclaimed seasons, The White Lotus has been filled with romantic entanglements. However, these relationships are rarely straightforward, as couples are often caught in a game of deception and power struggles. White Lotus season 2 saw the seemingly carefree couple of Cameron (Theo James) and Daphne (Meghann Fahy) push the more reserved Ethan and Harper (played by Will Sharpe and Aubrey Plaza) into a covert dance of supposed infidelity. Nevertheless, Mook and Gaitok appear to offer a more innocent exploration of romantic fantasy.
Our Take On Lisa’s Storyline In White Lotus Season 3
Lisa Brings Global Stardom To The Thailand Resort
Lisa is one of four Thai actors joining The White Lotus season 3, including Dom Hetrakul, Thapthimthong, and Patravadi Mejudhon. As described by Wood and Monaghan, the global popstar is a perfect addiction to the black comedy-drama series, not only as an authentic perspective of the country, but also as a “Thai sort of love story” that offers a sweeter departure from previous romances. Hopefully, this love story in The White Lotus season 3 doesn’t end up in a black body bag.
