Aimee Lou Wood, the rising British star of The White Lotus and S*x Education, is speaking out after a recent Saturday Night Live sketch mocked her appearance in what she’s calling a cheap shot, and fans are backing her up.
The 31 year old actress, known for her raw performances and distinctive smile, became the unexpected center of controversy when SNL parodied her White Lotus character Chelsea in a sketch titled The White Potus.
The segment reimagined the HBO show with political figures vacationing at a luxury resort, including Donald Trump (James Austin Johnson), Melania Trump (Chloe Fineman), Ivanka Trump (Scarlett Johansson), and Robert F. Kennedy Jr. (Jon Hamm).
But what stirred outrage wasn’t the political satire, it was SNL cast member Sarah Sherman’s portrayal of Wood’s character.
With exaggerated prosthetic teeth and an over the top Manchester accent, Sherman’s version of Chelsea was reduced to a baffled caricature who couldn’t understand the role of fluoride.
The character’s sole joke revolved around her teeth, a feature that has often been unfairly scrutinised in Wood’s career.
“I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny,” Wood posted on her Instagram Story, addressing the skit directly.
In a follow up, she added:
“Yes, take the piss for sure, that’s what the show is about, but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?”
Wood emphasised she isn’t against satire but believes the sketch targeted her personally in a way that felt cruel rather than comedic.
“The rest of the skit was punching up… I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on,” she wrote.
The actress, who hails from Stockport, Greater Manchester, also commented on the exaggerated accent used in the parody, joking:
“At least get the accent right, seriously. I respect accuracy even if it’s mean.”
Her critique didn’t fall on deaf ears. She later revealed that SNL producers reached out with apologies following the backlash. Meanwhile, she shared supportive messages from fans who agreed the sketch crossed a line, validating her decision to speak out.
For Wood, the issue goes deeper than just one sketch. She’s long been vocal about the public’s obsession with her teeth, which she says has overshadowed discussions about her work. In a recent GQ Hype interview, she shared:
“It makes me really happy that it’s symbolizing rebellion and freedom, but there’s a limit. The whole conversation is just about my teeth, and it makes me a bit sad because I’m not getting to talk about my work.”
She also questioned the gender bias underlying such discussions:
“If it was a man, would we be talking about it this much? It’s still going on about a woman’s appearance.”
Many viewers took to social media with mixed reactions to the sketch. While some praised the celebrity cameos and called it one of the funniest SNL skits in recent times, others criticised it as tone deaf and outdated. One viral tweet summed up the mood shift, calling the sketch a
“screeching turn into 1970s misogyny.”
Wood’s sister, Emily, added a heartfelt message of support, calling her sibling “a powerhouse” and praising her “authenticity and originality.” Fans echoed that sentiment, lauding Wood not just for her acting but for standing her ground.
As The White Lotus continues to earn acclaim for its sharp writing and complex characters, Aimee Lou Wood has proven she’s not just a breakout talent, she’s a voice that refuses to be reduced to a punchline.
Featured Image Credit: (Aimee Lou Wood/Instagram)(Entertainment Tonight/Youtube)
