AJ Michalka Reveals the White Lotus Role She Previously Auditioned For

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AJ Michalka made a previous attempt to check into the White Lotus.

Before getting the part in the next season—which will be filmed at a fancy hotel in France—the singer of “Potential Breakup Song” actually had a different character in mind.

AJ shared on the February 26th episode of the Just Trish podcast, alongside her sister Aly Michalka, that she had filmed scenes for season three as part of Aimee Lou Wood’s storyline. She explained that Aimee Lou Wood was a perfect fit for the role, making the casting feel natural.

Aimee Lou played Chelsea, a guest on The White Lotus who traveled to Thailand with her significantly older boyfriend, Rick (Walton Goggins).

For AJ, however, not landing the breakout character got her a second chance from Mike White.

I was thrilled when they asked me to return! We filmed a scene while on a day off in Marfa, Texas. My drummer and Aly, a friend of ours, both had roles in it, and my brother-in-law actually filmed the whole thing. We shot everything in a hotel room and then submitted it.

After submitting a self-tape, there was a considerable wait. Then, about two months later, they asked me to do a Zoom reading with the director, Mike. It was just me and two other actresses, and I received confirmation about the role two days after that Zoom meeting.

 

AJ commented on Mike’s efficient casting process, saying she wasn’t surprised he has a clear idea of what he wants in an actor.

Oh my gosh, she said Mike just knows when someone’s the real deal! Like, the second he lays eyes on them, he’s instantly like, ‘Yep, that person is amazing!’ It’s honestly incredible how smart he is; he just gets people, you know?

The actress AJ, who stars alongside Chris Messina, Alexander Ludwig, Sandra Bernhard, Steve Coogan, Caleb Jonte Edwards, Helena Bonham Carter, and Marissa Long in the new season, is keeping her role a secret. However, she says she’s excited to start filming.

I’m happy to talk about the character I played,” the Cow Belles actress explained. “The audition process was actually a lot of fun and a really good experience. As an actor, you get used to auditioning, and in my case, someone asked if I’d record an audition while we were on tour. I immediately said yes!”

It’s been three years since I last worked on a film set,” she explained. “We’ve been concentrating on music, so getting back to acting felt like a special opportunity, and I was incredibly grateful for it.

 

I was so thrilled to hear about Sandra’s reaction! She’s been a huge supporter of Mike for ages, and it’s amazing he finally got her a part on The White Lotus. It’s not just AJ who’s excited about being there, and honestly, seeing her joy makes me even more eager for the new season!

On March 1st, Sandra shared with TopMob News, “He loves me, and we love each other. He told me he’s ready for a committed relationship, saying, ‘This is it, and the timing is perfect.'”

As for spilling secrets, she added, “Lips are sealed.”

In the meantime, keep reading to find out more about the White Lotus season four…

 

HBO announced in January 2025 that The White Lotus will return for a fourth season. The renewal came several weeks before the third season even aired, and followed a pitch from the show’s creator, Mike White, for another season filled with wealth, mystery, and trouble.

HBO CEO Casey Bloys stated in November that if Mike wants to continue the show for a fourth season, it will happen.

Production on season four will likely kick off in 2026, according to Variety.

HBO announced in December that filming would take place in France. Reports in January identified the Château de la Messardière in Saint-Tropez – a beautifully restored 19th-century palace now operating as a luxury hotel – as the main filming location.

Before the announcement was made, actress Parker Posey, who previously appeared in the show, told TopMob News that the cast of The White Lotus was planning to film in France.

White and fellow producers had been dropping hints, too.

HBO Programming executive Francesca Orsi told Deadline in February that they’ll be scouting locations over the next few weeks. While she wouldn’t reveal specifics, she indicated the filming will likely take place somewhere in Europe.

Chances, she emphasized.

Orsi explained that while they’ve discussed potential filming locations in certain countries, they haven’t started scouting those places yet, so there’s no news to share at this time.

After the season three finale aired on April 6th, White told HBO he wanted to move away from the show’s previously intense and dramatic style – which he likened to ‘crashing waves against rocks’ – in the next season.

“But,” he added, “there’s always room for more murders at the White Lotus hotels.”

While attending the Vivid Festival in Sydney in June 2023, White shared that Australia is a place he’s always dreamed of visiting.

He said it sounded like a lot of fun, adding that the talent was amazing and the setting was beautiful, making it seem perfect for the job.

In December 2025, HBO announced that Alexander Ludwig, known for his role in The Hunger Games, and AJ Michalka of Aly & AJ would be joining the cast. Given that both actors have released music albums in the past, their characters might have musical abilities.

Emmy Award-winning composer Cristóbal Tapia de Veer, known for the music from The White Lotus, won’t be returning for the show’s fourth season. He says this is due to creative differences with the show’s creator, Mike White, which began during the first season.

Tapia de Veer explained to the New York Times that a few months prior, he’d informed the team he wouldn’t be returning. He chose not to tell Mike Flanagan until the very end, hoping for a dramatic effect. However, Flanagan did find out before the season concluded.

Tapia de Veer explained that while the memorable theme music from season one—which also opened season two—was ultimately a hit, creating it was difficult. Initially, White didn’t even want a theme song.

He wasn’t asked to change the show’s opening sequence for the third season, but he decided to do it anyway, which upset many fans.

After the news broke, I was contacted by media outlets like TMZ, and even people from England and France, all wanting a comment about the theme song. There was a lot of anger over the change, which I found intriguing. I suggested to the producer that we eventually release the longer version with the ‘ooh-loo-loo-loos’ because I thought fans would be shocked to learn that was the original intention. He agreed, but Mike ultimately decided against it – he didn’t think it was a good idea.

The composer explained that they’d already had what felt like their final argument at that time, and because of it, the other person was refusing everything.

On The Howard Stern Show on April 8th, White criticized Tapia de Veer’s decision to publicly complain, calling it a disrespectful act.

I really don’t understand what went wrong,” White explained. “I’m only now seeing his interviews as part of a publicity effort about his departure. It seems like he didn’t have much respect for me.”

The producer explained they didn’t actually have a real conflict. He said people thought they were feuding, but it was mostly just him offering feedback.

Looking back at our work on the show, the first couple of seasons were really successful because we bounced ideas off each other – it was a true collaboration. But by season three, things shifted. Our composer, Ben Tapia de Veer, understandably wanted more creative freedom. He just wasn’t interested in the back-and-forth process of sharing ideas, receiving feedback, or even working together in the studio anymore. It was a tough situation, but I respected his need to work independently.

And, White added, “He’s definitely making a big deal out of just a creative difference.”

Jennifer Coolidge was happily surprised that Jon Gries, who played both Tanya’s love interest Greg in the first season and her husband in the second, was willing to return for season three as the villainous Gary. However, Gries has indicated that, as far as he’s aware, his character’s romantic storyline is finished.

However, that’s what he thought last time.

After the third season concluded with Gary’s secret still hidden, he told The Hollywood Reporter that he doesn’t plan on returning, but isn’t certain. He added that he always considers each departure to be permanent.

Despite the tempting idea of a completely fresh cast each season—as White jokingly told The New Yorker, imagining being able to ‘burn down the house and start building again’—the show has demonstrated that as long as a character isn’t actually killed off…

Mike White consistently keeps everyone guessing with his creative choices,” said actor Jeremy Allen White to The Hollywood Reporter. “I didn’t expect to be back for season two, and the same was true for season three. He always adds unexpected twists. I’d definitely be interested in returning, but I’m not sure if my character’s story has fully played out yet.”

Unless the show creates a prequel story or explores a multiverse, it’s unlikely Jennifer Coolidge will return as Tanya except through flashbacks or dream sequences. Despite her character’s death in the season two finale – revealed as the mystery body after being the only returning character from season one – fans have still held out hope for her reappearance.

While White acknowledges missing Coolidge, he understands and accepts the choice to eliminate Tanya, despite her good intentions, naiveté, and immense wealth.

Coolidge described White as someone who stands by his choices, speaking on TopMob News in January 2023 after the season finale of The White Lotus. She said he’s a great friend, but he’d decided how he wanted the show to end. He was aiming for a grand, over-the-top, and dramatic finale, and ultimately chose to have Tanya’s character sacrificed.

She confirmed to The New Yorker that she wouldn’t be returning for the third season, filmed in Thailand, stating, “I don’t think Tanya’s ever coming back, so I have to accept that.”

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2026-03-03 19:22