Bustle Exclusive
Her jam-packed schedule of buzzy, appointment-viewing TV kicks off this week.
Consider us seated, seat belts fastened.
A self-proclaimed Air Force brat, Natasha Rothwell knows travel.
Shes moved around her entire life, and once spent a yeardoing comedyin Tokyo.
Today, shes a fan oftraveling solo.
[Its] a product of not waiting to live my life for a partner, she tells Bustle.
Travel and being in transit are just… in me.
Lately, her expertise has lent itself to playing characters behind the scenes of the travel industry.
Centering marginalized voices is what Ive been put on the planet to do, Rothwell says.
Its much more substantive to tell a story thats real, Rothwell, 43, says.
Where its just like,I want to change.
It was hard, but I loved it.
Below, Rothwell breaks downHow to Die Alones rom-com lineage and the viral TikTok saga shes bringing to TV.
Yeah, its one of those hallmarks of rom-coms.
It was really fun to play with those tropes.
I did not know that, either.
Im sorry to burst your bubble, but I was devastated.
They have, like, IMDb pages.
I was thinking that movie might have inspired you!
So, are your interviews real?
These are 100% real New Yorkers.
They have lives, wishes, hopes, and fears.
I had to fight for that piece in the show.
What was the pushback?
Youve seen the series.
We cant use precedent when were dealing with a different version of storyteller.
So, I was really excited that they ultimately saw its value.
Were there any other unexpected challenges?
I wouldnt recommend shooting a show in Toronto during the winter.
It introduced me to the myriad of electronic bodywear to keep you warm.
For me, it was also a challenge to let it go.
Im a recovering perfectionist thank you, therapy.
I have to acknowledge it and walk away.
It was hard because I loved every aspect of creating the show.
What was it like getting the call to return toThe White Lotusfor Season 3?
It wasnt even on my vision board.
I was so grateful for Season 1, and I watched Season 2 along with everyone else.
I screamed whenTanya fell off the boat.
It was also just announced that youll be adaptingReesa Teesas Who TF Did I Marry sagafrom TikTok.
How are you planning to approach that?
Her series was probably one of the most radical acts of vulnerability Ive ever seen.
On top of that, shes an incredible storyteller.
People can expect what I feel is typical of the projects that Im drawn to.
Therell be gravity and levity, just like her story when she tells it.
She is one of the strongest people that I know.
Nuanced and complex and honest, shes all of those things.
This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.
