Patrick Schwarzenegger wants us to know that he didn't get his role in the new season of The White Lotus because he's a nepo baby.
The actor said its “frustrating” ito be viewed through the lens of nepotism just because his father is Arnold Schwarzenegger—and particularly now, following the debut of The White Lotus.
“I know there are people who’ll say I only got this role because of who my dad is,” Schwarzenegger told The Sunday Times. “They’re not seeing that I’ve had 10 years of acting classes, put on school plays every week, worked on my characters for hours on end, or the hundreds of rejected auditions I’ve been on. Of course, it’s frustrating and you can get boxed in and you think at that moment, ‘I wish I didn’t have my last name.’ But that’s a small moment.”
“I would never trade my life with anyone,” he continued. “I’m very fortunate to have the life and family that I have, the parents I have and the lessons and values they’ve instilled in me.”
In the latest season ofThe White Lotus, Schwarzenegger plays Saxton Riff, the charming, privileged son of a corporate criminal. Patrick attended the premiere with Arnold, who raved about the show on Instagram.
“I was so pumped to take a break from filming to celebrate @patrickschwarzenegger at the White Lotus Season 3 premiere. What a show!” Arnold captioned a photo of him and his son walking the red carpet. “I could claim to be surprised to find out he has a nude scene, but what can I say - the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Don’t miss it this Sunday - trust me.”
Patrick told People earlier this month that he continues to be a student of his craft by taking weekly acting classes to “learn and grow." He also opened up about how his father was a huge inspiration in Patrick’s pursuit of acting.
“Going to set with my dad, that’s where my first love for acting came from,” Schwarzenegger said. “He would always pull me out of school early. I would get to go to Universal Studios — I’d watch him go in as Dad, come out as Mr. Freeze. I would sit there all day and just be fascinated with everything about film.”
New episodes of The White Lotus air on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO and Max.
Check out Complex's list of The Best TV Shows to Watch on HBO Max Right Now and see where The White Lotus ranks on our list of The Top 20 HBO Shows Of All Time, Ranked.