Parker Posey misheard 'horror' as 'whore' during a live television interview on Monday, 26 October, before revealing that she is no longer involved in the upcoming horror film Sleepover. The 57-year-old The White Lotus actress was speaking to Craig Melvin on NBC's Today in New York while promoting her new reality series The Mob and her forthcoming film Wild Horse Nine.
The confusion began when Melvin tried to discuss Posey's horror film history, prompting her to question what she had heard. Moments later, Posey revealed that his notes about her next role were outdated. Posey confirmed she had been attached to Sleepover but said 'something came up', without revealing why she had left.
The Live TV Misunderstanding
'Before I let you get out of here, we've got to talk horror,' Melvin told the actress. Posey stopped him, laughing as she replied, 'I thought you called me a whore.' Melvin immediately denied using the insult, spelled out 'horror' and admitted, 'I did not enunciate well.'
Watch: Parker Posey's interview on the Today show.
Posey pointed out that they were speaking on the Today show, while Melvin attempted to return to the original question. He had been referring to her appearances in Scream 3 and Blade: Trinity, which gave him a reason to ask about another horror role. Posey played Jennifer Jolie in Scream 3 (2000) and vampire Danica Talos in Blade: Trinity (2004).
Why Is Parker Posey No Longer Doing Sleepover?
When Melvin asked about her new horror film, Posey answered, 'I'm not doing it.' The presenter checked his cue cards, which listed her as starring in Sleepover. 'No, I'm not doing it anymore,' she clarified, leaving him to ask whether his information was incorrect.
Posey confirmed the original casting information was accurate. 'It's not happening anymore. Something came up,' she said, offering no further explanation for her departure. After declaring, 'Now I'm sweating,' she borrowed Melvin's cue card to fan herself as the interview continued.
Her update came less than two weeks after her casting was announced on 13 October. Sleepover is a Blumhouse Atomic Monster horror thriller distributed by Universal Pictures, directed by Jacob Chase, with a screenplay co-written with Bryce McGuire and based on McGuire's short story. Its announced cinema release date is 8 October 2027.
EXCLUSIVE: Parker Posey will star in the upcoming horror movie “Sleepover” from Blumhouse Atomic Monster and Universal Pictures. The film hits theaters on Oct. 8, 2027.
— Variety (@Variety) October 13, 2026
“Insidious: Out of the Further” filmmaker Jacob Chase directs from a script he co-wrote with “Night Swim”… pic.twitter.com/UGIyPMyTdH
Melvin acknowledged the increasingly uncomfortable conversation, joking that it was 'even more awkward than usual'. He eventually asked fellow presenter Carson Daly to help move on to the next segment. Daly responded, 'We have another viral clip coming up for sure,' while Posey reassured Melvin that their exchange was fine.
What Comes Next for Posey
The interview reunited Posey and Melvin after a previous appearance in March 2025, when she demonstrated the Southern accent of Victoria Ratliff, her character in HBO's The White Lotus. Her delivery of the line 'Piper, no!' subsequently became associated with the show's third season. The role earned Posey a 2025 Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Drama Series.
okay this is my new favorite Parker Posey one-liner on The White Lotus LOL
— Spencer Althouse (@SpencerAlthouse) March 24, 2025
"Why would you encourage her to move to a monastery?! What's next? You want her to shave her head and start bangin' a bongo in Times Square?!" pic.twitter.com/kptbXLl3m4
Posey's career also includes Dazed and Confused, Party Girl and Christopher Guest's Best in Show, alongside decades of independent films. She recently discussed how young viewers have been discovering her 1990s work, including The Daytrippers.
Her latest series, The Mob, premiered on Hulu on Monday, 26 October. Posey hosts the celebrity reality competition, which takes place at an Italian villa, where contestants compete in challenges inspired by mob films. She also appears alongside John Malkovich and Sam Rockwell in Martin McDonagh's Wild Horse Nine, which is scheduled to open in cinemas on 6 November.
