Jennifer Coolidge at the 82nd Annual Golden Globe Awards

Jennifer Coolidge Says 'The White Lotus' Upgraded Her Dating Life

Home / Entertainment / Jennifer Coolidge Says 'The White Lotus' Upgraded Her Dating Life

By Afouda Bamidele on March 24, 2025 at 11:45 AM EDT
Updated on March 24, 2025 at 11:47 AM EDT

Jennifer Coolidgeis revealing the surprising ways her "The White Lotus" fame has ignited her romantic life. The beloved actress is experiencing a surge in attention, surpassing even the notoriety she gained from "American Pie."

This revelation occurs nearly two years after her dramatic exit from the show. Following her character's demise, Coolidge expressed strong opinions regarding the fate of Greg Hunt, her on-screen husband.

Jennifer Coolidge delivered an acclaimed performance in the hit series "The White Lotus," where she embodied the memorable character Tanya McQuoid.

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Jennifer Coolidge Credits 'The White Lotus' For Helping Her Leave 'Stifler's Mom' Behind

Jennifer Coolidge at the 36th Annual Palm Springs International Film Festival Film Awards
Jeffrey Mayer/JTMPhotos, Int'l. / MEGA

The actress revealed that after playing the quirky yet tragic Tanya McQuoid, she is noticed a shift in the kind of attention she receives from men.

"This is far better than 'American Pie' because people were really sad about Tanya falling off a boat. These men like you better because they feel that you went through something. That show really upped my game!" Coolidge joked.

Coolidge recalled a past encounter with a man in New Orleans, describing his red cowboy boots, exposed belly, and 4-foot-11 stature. While she admitted there was nothing wrong with him, she had always imagined a more glamorous romance.

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Now, post-The White Lotus, things are different. Speaking The Times, Coolidge revealed, "Even though I play a complete weirdo in 'White Lotus,' cute guys come up to me," adding with a smile, "[The show] changed that for me. It's not just that little guy anymore."

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'The White Lotus' Alum Contradicts Past Thoughts On The Film's Impact

Jennifer Coolidge at the 2023 Vanity Fair Oscar Party - Beverly Hills
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Coolidge has never been shy about how her Hollywood roles have influenced her love life, and according to her, "American Pie" delivered in more ways than one. Playing the iconic MILF in the 1999 comedy led to what she once called the "best d-ck" of her life. 

In a 2022 interview with Ariana Grande, Coolidge admitted the role gave her dating life an unexpected boost. "If I hadn't had that movie, I don't think … Well, let's just say it would've been a very dull decade," she quipped.

However, her stance on whether "The White Lotus" had a similar effect was initially uncertain. In January 2023, she told Page Six at the Golden Globes that she was not sure the HBO hit had changed anything for her romantically, though she hoped it would.

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The Actress Wants On-screen Husband To Face Brutal Fate

Coolidge might have exited "The White Lotus," but she was not done plotting revenge on her on-screen husband, Greg Hunt. The 63-year-old made it clear that she wants justice.

The Blast highlighted that although Coolidge would not return for the show's third season, she had strong opinions on how Greg should pay for his betrayal. In a chat for Variety's "Actors on Actors" series with "Shameless" star Jeremy Allen White, she did not hold back:

"My hope for Jon is that he's not finished with Greg. I hope there's some comeuppance for evil Greg. I think he should, I don't know, end up in a meat-grinding machine."

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Coolidge even imagined a supernatural return, joking that Tanya could come back as a seagull and "poke Greg's eyes out." Still, Coolidge admitted Tanya might have overstayed her welcome, adding, "Maybe people would get sick of her on another season."

The Golden Globe Award Winner Reflected On Her Love Life

Despite her successful career, the comedic actress shares some similarities with her "The White Lotus" character when it comes to relationships. But unlike Tanya, Coolidge takes full responsibility for her struggles in love.

The Blast notes that Coolidge got candid about why she has remained single, admitting she has yet to find the "right" person. She also acknowledged her own role in her romantic setbacks, stating, "I think I made some bad decisions. It makes you insecure, and you don't think you're great." 

While she is showered with praise in Hollywood, Coolidge joked that she only believes compliments when they lead to a job, proving she is still searching for something real.

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Jennifer Coolidge Prefers Being A Stepmom

Jennifer Coolidge attends the 80th Annual Golden Globe Awards
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Coolidge is not just single, she also ruled out having kids, noting that her own immaturity is to blame. The Blast reported that Coolidge was encouraged by friends to consider adoption, but she did not see herself as a traditional parent. 

Instead, she feels she would make a better stepmother. Her reasoning? She never wanted to give up her youthful spirit. The actress candidly shared:

"I'm very, very immature, I think that has kept me from having children because I'm sort of a child. Maybe if I had kids, I would've had to have grown up. Maybe if I had kids, I would've had to have grown up."

Now, the tide has turned. Jennifer Coolidge is embracing the newfound attention, confirming that "The White Lotus" has indeed changed the game.

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