Cristobal Tapia de Veer's Emmy Win amid Controversy

In a surprising twist of events, Cristobal Tapia de Veer, the acclaimed composer behind HBO's hit series *The White Lotus*, clinched the Emmy for Best Original Main Title Theme Music at the 2025 Creative Arts Emmy Awards—just after a public fallout with the show's creator, Mike White. This latest accolade marks de Veer’s third Emmy award for the series since it debuted in 2021.

The Tumultuous Split

Back in April, de Veer made headlines when he announced to *The New York Times* that he would not be returning for the show's fourth season, revealing, "I told the editorial team months ago that I was leaving… At some point, Mike heard about that." This revelation followed ongoing tensions between composer and creator regarding the show's iconic theme song.

Creative Differences Take Center Stage

The rift seemed to center around the memorable 'ooh-loo-loo-los' of the season one theme. By season three, White had opted to strip that unmistakable sound from the opening credits—yet it remained in the full track. Acknowledging the strain, de Veer shared, "I just stuck to what I was doing... it was still the same thing in my versions."

Mike White Responds to the Fallout

Shortly after de Veer’s interview, White took to Howard Stern’s show, addressing the matter head-on. He claimed, "I honestly don’t know what happened, except now I’m reading his interviews as he runs a PR campaign about leaving the show. I don’t think he respected me. We never really even fought; he says we feuded, but it felt more like me giving him notes. It was a real shock for him to go to *The New York Times* and criticize me days before the finale — that felt like a bitch move."

A Reflection on Professionalism and Legacy

In his New York Times comments, de Veer reflected on his working relationship with White and admitted to his own reluctance to accept creative notes, saying, "Maybe I was being unprofessional… But what I gave him earned those Emmys and made fans go wild for the show. That struggle was worth it."

A Series of Wins and Nominations

De Veer’s accolades for *The White Lotus* include Emmys for Best Music Composition and Best Original Main Title Music in 2022, as well as Best Music Composition in 2023. This year, the show garnered a remarkable 23 Emmy nominations, indicating its significant impact in the industry, despite the behind-the-scenes drama. The Best Music Composition award for 2025 ultimately went to *Severance*, but de Veer’s recognition reflects his undeniable contribution to a cultural phenomenon.