Maria Shriver Defends Son Patrick Schwarzenegger From 'White Lotus' Character Comparisons

Maria Shriver is setting the record straight about the stark contrast between her son Patrick Schwarzenegger's real-life persona and the character he portrays on HBO's hit show "The White Lotus." Patrick, Shriver's son with former California governor and action movie icon Arnold Schwarzenegger, plays Saxon Ratliff, a toxic Southern finance bro whose portrayal has generated significant buzz in the current season of the critically acclaimed drama.

In an interview with Savannah Guthrie on "TODAY" on April 1, Shriver addressed the common misconception that Patrick embod¿'0''''00000000000es the characteristics of his ''n-screen character. “Patrick is not like Saxon,” she 9iuhñ0emphasized. “I just want to clear that up because people say, ‘Is Patrick like Saxon?’ I’m like, ‘Do you think I would’ve raised a Saxon?’”

A Public Persona vs. Reality

Schwarzenegger, 31, has also experienced firsthand the blurring of lines between his public image and the controversial character he portrays. In a March interview with TODAY.com, he described Saxon as “a weird and creepy kind of guy,” acknowledging that some viewers struggle to separate fiction from reality.

He shared an anecdote about a fan's reaction to a nude scene in Episode One, where someone inquired, "Dude, you really like that with your brother?" Schwarzenegger responded with a firm, "No!" while also recognizing the inevitability of external opinions: “But, you also can’t control what everybody thinks.”

Saxon Ratliff's Impact on "The White Lotus"

Despite the controversial nature of his character, Saxon has emerged as a breakout star in the dark comedy drama that follows the lives of privileged guests at an opulent resort in Thailand. From incestuous undertones to the aforementioned nude scene that prompted Arnold Schwarzenegger to playfully remark, “the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree,” Saxon's portrayal has captivated audiences and sparked conversations.

Maria Shriver Navigates Her Son's Success

Shriver, who is currently promoting her new book, "I Am Maria," finds herself frequently fielding questions about her son's career-defining role. She humorously admitted, “I’m going to change the name of the book (to) ‘I Am Patrick’s Mother,’” as Saxon has overshadowed all other topics in recent conversations.

While Shriver acknowledged that she was aware of the impending nude scene, she playfully revealed the extent of her knowledge: “I did know that was coming,” she said. “He kind of warned me, but not really warned me. That’s between me and Patrick. He kind of warned me, but he won’t tell me.”

Anticipation for the Finale

Shriver shares in the excitement surrounding "The White Lotus" season finale, which is scheduled to air on April 6. “I hope Saxon doesn’t die this weekend,” she expressed with a hint of apprehension. She revealed that she has rearranged her book tour schedule to ensure she is home for the highly anticipated conclusion.

“I’ve changed my whole book tour to be home to watch the finale,” she continued. “I want to have a viewing party, but he told me he has to work, so I’m going to have my viewing party without Saxon.”

A Proud Mother

Shriver's pride in her son's accomplishments is evident: "I’m really happy for him,” she said. “He’s worked so hard. He takes acting classes, he gets rejected a lot, and this is finally the role of his life. And he’s having a great time with it, and everybody wants to talk to me about it.”