Revisiting Belinda: Natasha Rothwell’s Character Arc from Hawaii to Thailand.
In The White Lotus, Natasha Rothwell's portrayal of Belinda, the hotel spa manager with big dreams, became one of the most poignant and complex characters of the series.
From the lush setting of Hawaii in Season 1 to the grandeur of Thailand in Season 3, Belinda’s journey has been marked by both personal growth and heartbreaking setbacks, offering a nuanced exploration of power, ambition, and the pursuit of happiness.
In The White Lotus’s first season, set in the pristine backdrop of Hawaii, Belinda’s character is introduced as a hardworking, empathetic employee working under the oppressive weight of luxury and entitlement.
Her initial interactions with the wealthy guests—especially with the charming Tanya (played by Jennifer Coolidge)—present Belinda as someone with hope and dreams, particularly a vision of opening her own wellness retreat.
She forms a bond with Tanya, which seems to offer a potential way out of her routine life, but the season takes a sharp turn. Belinda’s dreams are dashed when Tanya fails to follow through on her promises, leaving Belinda once again trapped in a cycle of unfulfilled aspirations.
Fast forward to Season 3, set in the stunning resorts of Thailand, and Belinda is back, but this time, her character arc is rooted in a more jaded, hardened version of herself.
The pressures of the job have taken their toll, and Belinda is no longer the hopeful dreamer she once was. Her relationships with the guests have become more transactional.
Belinda’s arc is a powerful commentary on class, exploitation, and the difficulty of escaping cycles of inequality. Natasha Rothwell’s portrayal of Belinda continues to evolve, making her one of The White Lotus's most memorable and tragic characters.