Michelle Monaghan reveals the truths Jaclyn won’t admit in The White Lotus

The third season of The White Lotus has everyone glued to their screens, with fans eager to discover what each new episode will bring. The release of the sixth episode, titled “Denials,” left viewers craving more. Now, actress Michelle Monaghan is sharing details about her character.

The latest episode of HBO’s hit show The White Lotus was packed with revelations. Several characters grappled with admitting the truth about their actions or intentions. Among them, Michelle Monaghan’s character Jaclyn took center stage. For context, we’re talking about Jaclyn’s refusal to admit she had a fling with Russian Valentin.

Michelle Monaghan’s revelations

Jaclyn finds herself in a tricky situation, refusing to acknowledge her fling with Valentin. Surprisingly, it’s not the infidelity itself that troubles her—it’s the fear of her friends finding out, which she perceives as the true betrayal. Michelle Monaghan delves into this aspect of her character.

Spoiler alert! If you haven’t watched the latest episodes, it’s best to do so before reading further. Laurie, hurt and disappointed, confronts Jaclyn about her affair with Valentin. Accuses her of scheming to seduce Valentin from the start and even suggests that Jaclyn wanted Laurie and Valentin to hook up as part of a humiliating plot. Laurie goes as far as revealing Kate as her source and references similar behavior dating back to high school.

These developments left fans with more questions than answers. Was it just a one-night fling? Did Jaclyn orchestrate a plan to trap Valentin? Michelle Monaghan addresses these queries while shedding light on her character’s motives.

Caught between a rock and a hard place

“I think it’s something that just happened. Honestly, I don’t judge Jacqueline for her actions. I always believed she would tell them she’d slept with him and they wouldn’t care. But I think the tone she heard from her friend made her realize she’d hit a nerve and done something wrong,” Michelle Monaghan confessed to Decider magazine.

According to Michelle Monaghan, the more Laurie mocks Jaclyn, the more Jaclyn refuses to admit what she did. In response, Jaclyn resorts to lying—a strategy one might assume her character excels at.

“But the truth is, she’s not that great at lying, right? I honestly wonder if she’s even a good actress, because she seems pretty transparent, doesn’t she?” Michelle Monaghan reflected. The actress argues that Jaclyn is so transparent that it’s obvious she was involved with Valentin. Moreover, Jaclyn is deeply troubled by the gossip circulating among her group of friends.

Toxic friendships

Later in the same episode, Jaclyn tells Kate that she’s used to Hollywood gossip. However, it saddens her to find out that her closest friends are also part of the “nonsense.” “So I think Jacqueline sincerely wanted to connect with Valentin. She’s had a tough couple of years,” Michelle Monaghan said, admitting her character’s desire was genuine.

 

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This intricate web of lies and interpersonal drama is typical of The White Lotus. Creator Mike White continues to develop his characters with remarkable depth, highlighting the toxicity of certain female friendships—a reality often intertwined with genuine intentions.

If you’re eager to see how all this unfolds and what’s next for Michelle Monaghan’s character in The White Lotus, stay tuned for upcoming episodes airing Sundays on HBO.