The White Lotus is back for a second season! And aside from Emmy-award winner Jennifer Coolidge, there’s a whooole new cast of characters checking in at the famed (albeit fictional) luxury resort, this time in Sicily. One of those stars is former Cosmo cover star Aubrey Plaza. Another is Theo James. And while Twitter might be swept up in a certain, um, prosthetic he wore—click here for a NSFW screen grab—the show’s real scene-stealer is Italian actress Simona Tabasco, the powerhouse talent behind the larger-than-life sex worker Lucia.
Simona boasts an impressive resume, having starred in many Italian TV series. But this was her first big Hollywood project—CASUAL—and we got the scoop on what the life-changing experience was like for her.
You have a very successful career acting in Italy, but this is your American debut! Congrats! Were you a fan of The White Lotus prior to auditioning for the role of Lucia?
I didn’t watch season 1 until after my first audition and remember immediately thinking, “I NEED TO BE PART OF THIS SHOW SO BAD.” The White Lotus universe is so great. It’s set at this amazing resort and follows these rich people having deep conversations. I felt a connection to the material for so many reasons, one of those being the honesty and complexity of the script. It’s so much fun playing a character like Lucia.
Falling in love with the show after the audition must have been excruciating. Was it hard to keep your cool while you were waiting to hear back?
Yes. I knew that Mike White, the creator, had a lot of Italian actresses auditioning for the role of Lucia. So, when he called me back for a live tape, I had to pinch myself. I immediately dove headfirst into studying and memorizing my sides, but the day after I started that work, I contracted COVID. I felt like my dream was being ripped out from under me, but luckily it wasn’t! This story has a happy ending. I got the part and met Mike a month later in Sicily where we started shooting season 2.
How did it feel stepping into such a successful Hollywood franchise with big names like Jennifer Coolidge, Aubrey Plaza, and Michael Imperioli?
Unreal. I am immensely grateful for the entire cast. They’re all such generous artists who made me feel included. When I found out that Michael Imperioli would be playing Dominic and realized his character and Lucia would have this intense story develop, I started to doubt my abilities. But Michael’s a special person and a great professional. My inner saboteur vanished after meeting him.
Your character is the definition of a free spirit. What was your favorite part about playing Lucia?
Lucia starts her vacation wanting to dominate men. She wants to take control of her current situation by exploiting men. But as the series progresses, she finds herself completely wrapped up in the day-to-day drama at The White Lotus. She has a naïve side and dances with trouble, but she never lets it get the best of her. She maintains an air of mystery and always remains a hard person to pin down.
Lucia and her friend/colleague Mia (played by Beatrice Grannò) have some really great fashion moments. Did you have any input in the costumes? Everything suited you so well! I want to be Lucia’s friend.
I want to be Lucia’s friend too!! She has such great taste. Our costume designer, Alex Bovaird, was very open-minded and welcomed our thoughts on our characters. It was a special process because it allowed me to assume different moods as Lucia. Allowing me to collaborate on color and silhouette really effected the way I was able to experiment with the role.
The show does such a great job at demystifying an otherwise taboo profession. And your performance is so thoughtful. Did you have any concerns with playing a sex worker? How did you prepare for the role?
There is no specific way to interpret a sex worker. I followed Mike White’s lead, which was to run with the idea that Lucia doesn’t need a reason to be a sex worker. As you mentioned, she is a free spirit. Sex work for her is empowering. If I had to name a reason she got into it, I would say money. She loves money. It fuels her ambitions. I don’t think Lucia anticipated sex work would lead to so much self-realization and personal growth, though. She’s looking for something more.
What do you think she’s looking for?
Love. As we all are. That’s where Lucia’s humanity lies. It’s what gave me the confidence to embody her. I love her!!! My love and the help of an intimacy coordinator made it easier to film the more revealing scenes.
Due to your character’s profession, most of your scenes are either with Beatrice or the male actors in the show. Did you have a chance to bond with the other women on set?
I didn’t have many scenes with the women in the cast, but they are all amazing and have given me unforgettable memories. I remember Jennifer Coolidge gifted me a big violet orchid on my birthday, which she left in my room. She wrote me a card that I will remember forever. To reciprocate her sweet gesture, I bought her a candle from Taormina, so she could always have the smell of Sicily with her.
Did it get boring working in literal paradise every day? Or was it as magical as it looked?
Oh, it was absolute torture being surrounded by such amazing people and energy every day. 😉
I know you can’t spoil anything. But are we in for a shocking finale?
Yeah, get ready for a WILD ride.
