In an unexpected twist, Cristóbal Tapia de Veer, the Emmy-winning composer behind the acclaimed series "The White Lotus," has parted ways with the show due to escalating tensions with its creator, Mike White.

In an exclusive interview with the New York Times, Tapia de Veer revealed that disagreements over the theme song for Season 3 played a significant role in his decision to leave the project.

White's vision for the upcoming season featured a more contemporary, club-inspired vibe, described by Tapia de Veer as akin to music found in Ibiza. This marked a distinct departure from the musical motifs that characterized the earlier seasons.

Tapia de Veer expressed his desire to include a more engaging theme that retained the signature elements of the previous tunes, stating, “I texted the producer suggesting a longer version with those catchy ‘ooh-loo-loo-loos’ that fans adored. He liked it, but Mike ultimately shot that down.”

Despite the setback, Tapia de Veer went ahead and released a version of the theme that he felt resonated better with the show's fans.

However, the relationship with White had noticeably soured. “At that point,” he reflected, “we had already had our last fight. He was just saying no to anything.”

The composer ultimately decided to “quiet quit,” informing the production team of his departure months ago. "I didn’t notify Mike directly; I wanted to leave him in shock,” Tapia de Veer admitted. “I thought the editorial team would keep it under wraps, but obviously, that didn’t happen.”

His experience on "The White Lotus" drew parallels to the dynamic in the 1978 French film "La Cage aux folles," where one character is a diva star while the other works tirelessly to maintain harmony.

“I could see the similarities; I was like the lead guitar in a rock band where the singer just didn’t get it,” he commented, highlighting the discord between his creative vision and that of White.

As the series gains further attention ahead of its third season, fans are left wondering about the musical direction and what this departure means for the iconic show.

HBO and representatives for Mike White have yet to comment on the situation.

Stay tuned for more updates as we await further announcements regarding the future of "The White Lotus" and the potential impact of this surprising split on its beloved soundscapes!