Jennifer Coolidge is no stranger to turning heads, but now she’s getting a different kind of attention. The Emmy-winning actress has revealed that her role in HBO’s “The White Lotus” has sparked an unexpected change in her romantic life—one that she’s fully embracing.
A New Chapter in Romance
Coolidge, 63, shared in an interview with the Sunday Times that her dating life has taken an exciting turn since starring as the unforgettable Tanya McQuoid in the hit series.
“Even though I play a complete weirdo in ‘White Lotus,’ cute guys come up to me,” she admitted, laughing. The shift, she says, is night and day compared to her past experiences.
The actress rose to fame playing Stifler’s mom in the 1999 cult classic “American Pie,” a role that cemented her status as a pop culture icon. But surprisingly, she insists that the reaction to her “White Lotus” character has been even more impactful.
More Than Just a Hollywood Crush
Coolidge noted that her new admirers seem drawn to her in a different way than before. The emotional connection fans feel with her “White Lotus” character—who met a tragic end in Season 2—seems to play a role.
- “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!”
Her comments hint at a broader phenomenon in Hollywood—audiences are increasingly drawn to complex, multi-dimensional characters rather than just superficial on-screen personas.
A Shift from the Unexpected
Not all her past encounters were quite as thrilling. Coolidge recalled a time in New Orleans when a man—standing at just 4 feet 11 inches—approached her wearing a belly-revealing T-shirt and red cowboy boots.
“There was nothing wrong with him,” she said, “but you have this idea that Brad Pitt or whoever will sweep you off your feet.”
That perception, however, has shifted post-“White Lotus.” Coolidge hinted that the types of men showing interest in her now are different—more confident, more intriguing, and, as she puts it, not just “that little guy anymore.”
A Bold Reversal from Past Comments
This latest revelation is a stark contrast to what Coolidge shared two years ago when asked if “White Lotus” had improved her love life. Back in January 2023, at the Golden Globes, she seemed uncertain about whether the show had made a difference, saying, “I don’t know about that… I mean, I hope so!”
It turns out, she got her wish.
The Legacy of ‘Stifler’s Mom’
Before “White Lotus,” Coolidge had already gained attention for playing one of Hollywood’s most iconic MILFs in “American Pie.” She previously joked about how that role alone transformed her dating prospects.
“If I hadn’t had that movie… let’s just say it would’ve been a very dull decade,” she said in a 2022 interview with Ariana Grande.
Whether it’s a cult-classic comedy or a critically acclaimed HBO drama, one thing is certain—Jennifer Coolidge has staying power, and apparently, her love life is thriving because of it.
