“I do feel like the other seasons were a rehearsal for this one,” said The White Lotus creator and director Mike White, teasing the scale of Season 3 long before its release.

For Karina, a participant in the production, those words rang true. She now sees her past experiences as mere preparation for working on this award-winning phenomenon.

In an exclusive conversation with RL, she shared that acting was once her dream, but life led her elsewhere, and she built a thriving international travel business. Then, unexpectedly, the film industry found her and brought her to one of the most talked-about TV series of the decade.

The Lotus Effect

When The White Lotus premiered in 2021, the world was still in COVID lockdown, yearning for escape. A story about luxury resort guests struck a deep chord.

The show’s mix of sharp social commentary and paradise visuals – first in Hawaii, then Sicily – kept audiences hooked. The Season 2 finale alone drew 4.1 million viewers.

Seasons 1 and 2 earned 23 Emmy nominations, winning six, alongside Golden Globes, SAG, WGA, and costume design awards. With 112 nominations and 48 wins so far, Mike White had high hopes for Season 3.

“I was in a hospital in Thailand with a fever, and I dreamed up the plot for the next season,” White once revealed. Whether true or just part of his creative mystique, we may never know.

The announcement that The White Lotus would be filming in Thailand sent waves of excitement through the entertainment world. The primary setting? The Four Seasons Resort in Koh Samui, while Phuket’s breathtaking Mai Khao Beach became the backdrop for key scenes.

Made by HBO

Karina’s journey to The White Lotus set was extraordinary. She was one of 800 applicants for the Phuket scenes, never expecting to be invited to Samui. Yet, she was among just three Phuketians selected to continue filming at the Four Seasons. And unlike the others, booked for a few days, Karina was offered a full-time job for three weeks.

Ironically, Karina found herself in the film industry by chance. She accompanied a friend to an audition and unexpectedly caught the casting directors’ attention. Her look – neither fully Asian nor entirely European – made her stand out.

Before The White Lotus, she had gained on-screen experience in commercials, TV series, and even Meg 2 alongside Jason Statham.

“I had heard people rave about working with HBO, but I never understood why – until I experienced it myself,” she admits.

Without particularly trying, Karina found herself immersed in the magic of a high-caliber production at the Four Seasons. The professionalism on set was unlike anything she had seen before.

From costume and makeup to catering and rehearsals, every detail was flawless. HBO doesn’t do “secondary” characters – everyone is treated, and expected to work, like a star.

“No one lounged around or napped in a back room. Everyone had a job, and everything was meticulously organized. We spent hours filming, shooting the same scene repeatedly from different angles. HBO’s attention to detail is beyond belief,” Karina shares.

The whole cast and crew worked tirelessly from early morning until late at night, but Karina was particularly impressed by the lead actors. Despite grueling schedules, they never showed exhaustion or irritation and remained approachable off-camera.

“They’re so at ease with themselves, so natural. Now I understand what it means to be a top-tier actor,” she reflects.

The sheer endurance required to film was staggering.

“They call ‘Action! Cut! Action! Cut!’ and we film and reset, film and reset. Over and over. At first, you just feel tired, and then you collapse. But the lead actors? They snap into character instantly, no matter how many takes we do,” she says.

One standout moment for Karina was watching Thai singer Lisa Manobal on set.

“She filmed multiple scenes with us in Koh Samui and later in Phuket, where she danced with a group of Thai women. There were four dancers, but every single European on set only had eyes for her without even knowing she was a star! She just had an incredible stage presence,” Karina recalls.

Ultimately, The White Lotus left a deep impression on Karina. Working with Mike White, she concluded that true success in the industry demands complete dedication and all the time one has.

For now, she continues her on-screen journey without reaching for lead roles, treating every role – no matter how small – as if it were HBO. And luckily, Thailand offers no shortage of film opportunities to refine her craft.

“I was blown away by how massive this production was. I can’t wait to see The White Lotus when it airs. I’m dying to see how it all comes together,” she concludes.

At RL, we can’t help but wonder – what will Karina say when her White Lotus wins an Emmy? It seems she hasn’t thought that far ahead.

Curious about the filmmaking process and life on set? Follow Karina on Instagram for exclusive glimpses. And if you want to visit The White Lotus filming locations – or other hidden gems across Thailand – Karina would be delighted to craft an unforgettable travel experience – after all, that’s what her travel agency is all about.