Maria Shriver defends Patrick Schwarzenegger against character comparisons
- Maria Shriver clarified that her son Patrick is not similar to his character Saxon Ratliff in The White Lotus during her TODAY Show appearance.
- She mentioned that she would not raise a son like Saxon and is proud of Patrick's achievements in acting.
- Shriver noted the public interest in her son and jokingly suggested changing her book's title to reflect that.
In a recent appearance on the TODAY Show, which aired on April 1, 2025, Maria Shriver addressed concerns regarding her son Patrick Schwarzenegger's portrayal of Saxon Ratliff in the HBO series The White Lotus. During the interview with Savannah Guthrie, Shriver emphasized that Patrick is fundamentally different from Saxon, a character known for toxic masculinity and controversial scenes. She expressed pride in her son's career, noting his struggles and hard work in acting, which culminated in this significant role. Shriver conveyed her excitement for the show's season finale while expressing her desire to be clear about the distinction between her son and his character. The public has conflated Patrick with Saxon, leading to awkward moments and misconceptions, especially following a nude scene that caught the attention of fans and sparked unexpected questions regarding his personal life. Despite the mixed reactions to his character, Shriver stands firmly in support of Patrick, affirming that her parenting would not produce someone like Saxon. She has adapted to this new chapter in her son's career, even contemplating changing her book title to highlight the ongoing interest in Patrick and his work. As the finale of The White Lotus approaches, Shriver is eager to watch alongside her son and hopes for a favorable outcome for Saxon, although she remains separated from the specific details of the character's fate.