The White Lotus

Summary

Alexandra Daddario play one of the most memorable role inThe White Lotusseason 1 , and her bikini picture was in particular memorable . Daddario ’s first acting quotation was Laurie Lewis in the scoop operaAll My Children , but her breakout role was Annabeth Chase in thePercy Jacksonmovies . From there , many of the actress ' roles were seemingly defined by their sexuality , such as her characters inHall PassandTrue Detective . Daddario even worry that star inBaywatchwould end her career . But thenThe White Lotuscame along .

Created by Mike White , The White Lotusis an anthology series that debuted on HBO in 2021 . Each season takes place at a unlike location of the eponymic sumptuosity hotel chain , with Daddario starring in theWhite Lotusseason 1 cast . Daddario play Rachel Patton , a diary keeper celebrate her honeymoon with young husband Shane ( Jake Lacy ) . While Shane is rich and attractive , Rachel before long realize the man she marry is selfish , entitled , and vengeful , and only consider her as a prize . Rachel fear that she ’s trapped herself in a gilded John Cage , though she ’s able to recover some power in a pivotal bikini aspect . But how did Daddario feel about it ?

The multi - award - winning series The White Lotus return for a chaotic and pulse - pound third time of year in 2025 , and here ’s everything to hump .

The White Lotus TV Show Poster

Alexandra Daddario Thinks Her White Lotus Character’s Bikini Scene Was A Power Move

Also remain at the White Lotus in Hawaii are Olivia ( Sydney Sweeney ) and Paula ( Brittany O’Grady ) , two snide college students who diminish anyone they can . When Rachel shyly set about up a conversation , they smell out fresh meat , and proceed to passive - sharply poke fun at Rachel ’s education and lack of privileged upbringing , andgo so far as to imply that Rachel is a prize wife — which is something Rachel intelligibly fears . But Rachel quieten her tormentors when she shrug off her preppy rig , unveil a flattering white bikini , and saunter into the pool .

ThisWhite Lotusscene could have been cringy and exploitatory , and be represent as Rachel proving Olivia and Rachel ’s tip that she ’s worth nothing more than her ripe looks . But that ’s not how Daddario performs the setting . Her smooth , placid confidence as she unclothe and go for a dip show Rachel ’s government agency , that she ’s cognisant of her sexual art but does n’t rely on it ; rather , she ’s in ended control of it and can use it to her advantage anytime she wants . It ’s a nuanced scene showing Rachel ’s complexity . In an interview withMen ’s Journal , Daddario verbalise about it :

“ Rachel learn her clothes off and showing off her body at the remainder , sort of as retaliation , it ’s so fishy because it ’s a invariant power struggle … We ’re all the same at the end of the day , this instinct to pull ahead . ‘ I see that I ’m being judged , ’ or ‘ I see that I ’m in a conversation that I ’m not come through , so what ’s my trump identity card ? ’ And that ’s what Rachel feels . "

Alexandra Daddario as Rachel Patton sitting by the pool in The White Lotus

Daddario Credits The White Lotus With Reigniting Her Career

TheWhite Lotusactress has always talk candidly about her character ' sexuality , fromDaddario’sTrue Detectivenude scenetoBaywatch , and though these roles open up door for her , her career hit a rut . Starring in poorly review indie movies ( Lost Girls and Love Hotels ) and forgotten rom - coms , Daddario toldWomen ’s wellness :

" In the couple years prior to the pandemic , I knew the work I demand to be doing , but it just was n’t happening I was like , ‘ Where am I run ? ’ ”

But it was in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic that Daddario was tap to star inThe White Lotus , with the only " downside " being that she could n’t give the Four Seasons hotel where they were take . From there , everything turned around for Daddario . As Rachel Patton , she was given the role she deserve , and tally her first Emmy nomination . Post - White Lotus , Daddario has graduated from support player to lead , headline the hit AMC Anne Rice series , Mayfair Witches , as Rowan Fielding . Mayfair Witchesis getting a season 2 , and from there , Daddario ’s star will only shine bright .

A composite image of Natasha Rothwell looking sad in front of people waving on a beach in The White Lotus

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Rachel Patton (Alexandra Daddario) in a white bikini stepping into a pool in The White Lotus season 1

Rachel Patton (Alexandra Daddario) sitting on a pool chair at the resort on The White Lotus, talking to someone.

The White Lotus