If you’re tuning into Season 3, Episode 7 of The White Lotus, you might catch a familiar melody playing — and it’s more than just an enjoyable track. It’s a clever reference to both the previous episodes of the show and the real-world career of one of its cast members.

Let’s delve into it.

What unfolds in The White Lotus Season 3, Episode 7?

In this episode, Rick (portrayed by Walton Goggins) skillfully ingratiates himself into the opulent Bangkok residence of Jim Hollinger (Scott Glenn), the individual he suspects is behind his father’s demise. Once inside, Rick convinces Jim to move their discussion to the den, establishing the groundwork for a tense and crucial moment.

Meanwhile, Frank (Sam Rockwell), who is masquerading as a Hollywood director named Steve, continues his deception with Sritala (Lek Patravadi), the glamorous proprietor of The White Lotus and a renowned Thai performer. As part of their fabricated film pitch, Frank shows interest in Sritala’s previous performances. This leads to a scene where the two view an old video of Sritala delivering a lively folk/rap number on a variety show from her younger days, complete with backup dancers and costumes adorned with rhinestones.

“Is that you? Are you right there? You’re the one with the rhinestones?” Frank marvels. “I mean, it’s like MC Hammer, Peter Pan, it has a touch of Pippin.”

However, this isn’t merely a fictional act — it has real-life roots.

Where might you have encountered Sritala’s song before?

The tune featured in this scene is the same one Sritala performs live at The White Lotus restaurant in Episode 2. But here’s the catch: it’s also an actual performance by Lek Patravadi, the Thai actress and vocalist who portrays Sritala. The clip is extracted from a 1992 episode of her own TV show, where she showcased the song in her distinctive theatrical style. You can even find the original performance online.

In preparation for the series, Patravadi and her team worked together with The White Lotus music supervisor Gabe Hilfer. During pre-production, she went back to the studio to re-record the song explicitly for the show.

“She re-recorded that song for us in episode 2,” Hilfer shared with Mashable. “We had her do a few other songs, and she recorded them for us, but we didn’t wind up using them… They were fantastic, her versions were amazing, but the way that whole sequence got cut down, it suited itself to only having that one song in there.”

The moment in Episode 7, where Sritala observes her younger self on television alongside Frank, becomes even more meaningful when you understand it’s Patravadi watching her actual past performance. It’s a heartwarming meta moment that blurs the distinction between character and actor, past and present.

As Frank departs, he refers to Sritala as an “icon” — and it’s difficult to argue. With this musical Easter egg, creator Mike White and The White Lotus honor a true Thai icon, skillfully integrating her real-life legacy into the essence of the show.

The White Lotus Season 3 is currently streaming on Max, with new episodes debuting Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on HBO.