American Horror Story Hotel: 10 Reasons Why Liz Taylor & Iris Aren’t Real Friends

Liz Taylor and Iris feature prominently in the fifth season of Ryan Murphy and Brad Falchuk’s hit anthology horror show, American Horror Story: Hotel. Iris and Liz bond over their near-invisible status amongst society, and slowly rise to the top of the ranks in the Hotel Cortez as they overthrow Lady Gaga’s vampiric Countess.

Liz is one of the show’s most iconic characters and Hotel is arguably her season. Her friendship with Iris was one of the most touching and heartfelt arcs in the series. However, there is evidence to suggest that their friendship wasn’t as genuine as it seemed…

10 Liz Thinks Iris Is Horrible

There is initially friction between Liz Taylor and Iris before the two Hotel Cortez workers find common ground throughout the season. Liz scolds Donovan about his behavior towards his mother but agrees with him that she is a “horrible” person.

This highlights the tension that existed between Liz and Iris before the events of the season. Liz shows some understanding of Donovan’s plight, remarking that his mother is an unpleasant person.

9 Iris Doesn’t Understand Liz

Liz and Iris form a friendship in Hotel, but Iris admits to Liz that she avoided her for a long time due to her gender identity. Iris tells Liz that all she saw when she looked at her was “questions” and initially struggles to understand Liz’s transition.

Iris eventually comes to understand after Liz recounts her story of meeting the Countess and being reborn. She tells Liz that she was never homophobic, and Liz informs her that she’s not gay as she is a woman.

8 They Don’t Have A Lot In Common

Iris and Liz are united by their outcast status in the eyes of society throughout American Horror Story’s fifth season. They are invisible to most of the guests – and the residents – in the Hotel Cortez. This connection draws them together, but the two friends have little in common besides that.

Liz and Iris are drastically different people with little communal characteristics. Liz is bolder and one of the show’s most stylish characters, whereas Iris has a steely resolve and is devoted to her son, Donovan.

7 Liz And Iris United To Take Down A Common Enemy

The Countess ruled the Hotel Cortez throughout the fifth season of American Horror Story. Liz and Iris plot her downfall, as Liz loathes the Countess for killing Tristan and Iris seeks revenge for the vampire’s manipulation of Donovan. They, along with John Lowe and the Countess’ ghostly ex-husband James Patrick March, are responsible for the death of the Countess.

Liz and Iris arguably united to take down a common enemy more than they bonded over genuine friendship. They caused the Countess’ downfall and usurped her position as rulers of the Hotel Cortez.

6 They Lived And Worked In The Hotel For Years Before Becoming Friends

Liz remains at the Hotel Cortez after the Countess kills her former work colleagues and encourages her to embrace her true identity. Iris refuses to leave after Donovan is turned into a vampire. She continues to work alongside Liz at the hotel during Donovan’s passionate tryst with the Countess.

Iris and Liz both lived and worked in the hotel for years before they became friends. Iris avoided Liz due to her questions about her gender, whereas Liz seemingly found Iris to be an irksome person.

5 Iris Encouraged Liz To Die With Her

Iris is rejected by her son continuously throughout American Horror Story: Hotel. They reunite briefly but Donovan dies in her arms after Liz encourages her to join her in her attempt to kill the Countess. Iris and Liz agree to take their lives together, but Liz changes her mind after she reconnects with her son.

Iris feels betrayed by Liz and encourages her to honor their pact. She eventually changes her mind and embraces life in the hotel, though momentarily rejected her friend’s newfound happiness.

4 They Committed Murder Together

Liz and Iris are arguably bad influences on each other as well as good. Liz encourages Iris to stand up for herself, especially when a rude younger couple insults the hotel worker. Iris takes Liz’s words to heart and kills the couples, and the two later attack the Countess and accidentally kill Donovan.

Liz encourages Iris to stand up for herself but this ultimately leads to both characters becoming murderers. It was almost unavoidable that they would succumb slightly to the darkness of the Hotel Cortez after living and working in there for so long.

3 Colleagues Before Best Friends

Iris and Liz Taylor both work at the Hotel Cortez throughout the show’s fifth season. They rise to the top of the hotel’s hierarchy after overthrowing the Countess. Their work draws them together and it could be argued that they are colleagues more than they are best friends.

The Hotel Cortez drew Iris and Liz together and they would never have met if they had not been drawn into the hotel’s dark inner circle. Iris may have continued to avoid Liz in another life, whereas Liz would have still found her unpleasant to interact with.

2 Liz Shot Donovan

Liz encourages Iris to stand up for herself and eventually declares war on the Countess. Liz and Iris confront the vampire during a heartfelt reunion with Donovan. The Countess is saved by Sally, but Donovan is killed when he is shot in the crossfire.

Both Liz and Iris technically shot Donovan and they are both responsible for his death. Liz planned the attack on the Countess, however, and Iris may have some hidden resentment regarding the loss of her son.

1 Iris Avoided Liz Instead Of Getting To Know Her

Iris reveals to Liz that she avoided her throughout their early years working and living together at the Hotel Cortez. Liz represented a multitude of questions that Iris wasn’t comfortable asking. Instead of getting to know Liz, Iris avoided her and they remained isolated in the hotel.

Liz reaches out to a struggling Iris and encourages her to take control of her life and stand her ground against bullies. Although Liz and Iris could be considered fake friends, Liz remains one of the most compassionate and iconic characters in the dark world of American Horror Story.

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