In a revealing interview, Mike White, the creator of HBO’s acclaimed series “The White Lotus,” expressed his frustration over the recent departure of composer Cristobal Tapia de Veer. Tapia de Veer, whose work on the series earned him an Emmy, announced his exit last week after reportedly clashing with White over creative differences. In a statement to The New York Times, Tapia de Veer described their relationship as contentious, claiming, “we already had our last fight forever.”

During a conversation with Howard Stern, White responded to Tapia de Veer’s comments, emphasizing that he was taken aback by the composer’s PR campaign. “I honestly don’t know what happened,” White said, adding that he felt the composer did not respect him. He noted that their disagreements were mainly limited to email exchanges regarding notes and revisions, which Tapia de Veer apparently found difficult to accept.

White further elaborated on their working dynamic, suggesting that Tapia de Veer’s newfound success, including multiple Emmy wins and a viral song, may have contributed to a sense of detachment during the third season’s production. “He didn’t want to go through the process with me,” White remarked, recalling an instance where the composer appeared to dismiss him with a contemptuous smirk.

Despite the tensions, White acknowledged Tapia de Veer’s talent but expressed a reluctance to compromise his own standards just to appease him. “Have fun with whatever you’re doing next,” White concluded, signaling a definitive end to their collaboration. As the dust settles from this creative split, fans eagerly await news about the future of “The White Lotus” and its musical direction. For more updates on this story, visit HollywoodReporter.com.