Carrie Coon Shares Insights on the Enduring Friendships of ‘The White Lotus’ Women

Liam James5 days agoLast Updated: 10 April 2025

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Carrie Coon Doesn’t Think ‘The White Lotus’ Ladies Friendship Is Going to Change

At the start of Carrie Coon’s journey in Thailand for filming this season of The White Lotus, she, along with her co-stars Leslie Bibb and Michelle Monaghan, grappled with the notion that their storyline felt considerably quieter than the others. The trio, affectionately referred to as “The Ladies,” lacks the drama, flamboyance, or tragic narratives of The Ratliff’s financial downfall or Rick and Chelsea’s ill-fated romance. However, Coon saw their plotline as the most relatable aspect of the series, believing it to be the entry point for many viewers. “The way we compare ourselves to others as a means of examining our life choices felt like an excellent cipher,” she reflects.

What caught her off guard, though, was the emotional impact of her character Laurie—especially the heartfelt speech she delivers to her friends during their final dinner—which resonated deeply with the audience. Many viewers have hailed Coon’s monologue as a standout moment of the season. In a light-hearted moment a few days after the finale aired, she remarked that the online excitement was happening in a different realm from her everyday life. “I just got back from the grocery store, dropped my kids at school, and I’m about to make dinner and do bedtime and watch a movie with my husband. I made the show a year ago, so I’ve moved on, but I’m grateful that people are consuming the art we’re creating because that’s always the goal,” she shares. “I was also thankful that Mike gave Laurie that arc. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have been able to justify going to Thailand and leaving my family behind.”

Coon also mentioned the audience’s fascination with Laurie’s dramatic sprint away from her friends after the incident. “I just did what I thought I would do: take off running. What is she supposed to do, take a bullet for them? I hope I would protect my children, but honestly, what would a person do? Hopefully, I don’t have to find out anytime soon, but I’m in America, so it could happen.”

When asked about the characters’ demeanor during the boat ride home, she suggested it likely took place the following day after police interviews, allowing for some processing time. “If you look closely, you will see that Jaclyn is having a moment on the boat, which I think is a clever direction from Mike White. Jaclyn is indeed processing the trauma, while Laurie is trying to support her. Instead of three women crying, you have one woman making it all about herself, which I find humorous. Kate also checks out for a minute; she’s processing. It was a moment of ambiguity with Kate at the end, especially since a lot of her storyline was cut, which added complexity to her character. It’s a shame because Leslie’s performance was so masterful.”

Coon further elaborated on a specific scene that was cut, involving a dream sequence with Kate and a ping pong show, where the girls performed a puppet dance from childhood. “We were wearing these seafoam-colored dresses, and it was beautifully shot. It would have provided more depth to Kate’s moment looking out at the ocean, which the audience didn’t get to see.”

Regarding the response to her monologue, Coon expressed her surprise at the number of think pieces inspired by the female characters and was particularly touched by the response from women who felt represented. “They feel seen in Laurie’s first breakdown. Maybe we’re becoming more secular, but people strongly relate to her sentiment about time giving her life meaning.”

When discussing Laurie’s line, “I’m just happy to be at the table,” Coon interpreted it differently than some viewers. “I didn’t see it as her devaluing herself. In that last altercation in the dining room, her friends speak truth to her. Laurie considers honesty a virtue and has been truthful to others without taking accountability for her own choices. Jaclyn and Kate challenge her identity, so I don’t think Laurie sees herself as better than them. She’s been disappointed and repeating certain patterns. I believe that speech is about being present in your life and appreciating what is right in front of you.”

Looking ahead, Coon speculated on the future of their relationships. “I think there’s a larger cultural conversation at play—it intersects with some Buddhist philosophy. In Buddhism, living in a comparing mindset leads to suffering. It’s a natural impulse, especially since we have more leisure time than ever. This comparison culture—whether on social media or in our daily lives—doesn’t bring contentment but instead increases suffering.”

As for the evolution of their friendship, she felt there was potential for transformation, yet acknowledged the ease of falling back into old patterns. “Once Laurie returns to New York, it will be tempting to revert to familiar behaviors, especially given her challenging circumstances. I can envision a future where they continue with vague texting and occasional calls, only to have a big reunion in three years where the same issues arise. We often repeat mistakes until we’re truly ready to learn from them, and I’m not sure they’re there yet.”

Reflecting on the other storylines during the season, Coon intentionally kept a light connection to them. “I wanted to enjoy the show and my friends’ performances. I was successful to the point where I couldn’t remember whether Lochlan died or not. Patrick Schwarzenegger portrayed Saxon’s transformation beautifully—though I must emphasize that he’s quite different from his character. Aimee Lou Wood captured hearts, and I was disappointed to lose Piper’s storyline with Zion. I understand why some were dissatisfied with Jason’s lack of confrontation with his family, but seeing Timothy’s spiritual journey made it worthwhile. Although Belinda’s ending was more cynical, I loved seeing her joy on screen because we all root for her.”

Addressing the mixed reactions to Belinda’s choices, Coon shared her thoughts. “My husband felt sad for Pornchai, and Dom’s performance touched everyone. Yet, I found it concerning how quickly Pornchai latched onto Belinda’s dream. It felt like a violation of her aspirations. I was proud of her decision to not rush into commitments. When I was younger, I often signed up for others’ futures because I was compartmentalized. What Belinda did was empowering.”

Lastly, when it came to the astrological discussions initiated by Aimee Lou Wood, Coon humorously noted that she signed up for a reading with Aimee’s astrologist. “I had never done my chart before. Debbie, her astrologist, discovered that I have a soul family. I’m an Aquarius, and my children both have moons in Aquarius. It was affirming to feel that my family and I were always meant to be together.”

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