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Aimee Lou Wood, known for her role in The White Lotus, recently revealed that Saturday Night Live (SNL) has issued an apology regarding a sketch that made light of her looks, which she described as “mean and unfunny.”
The sketch in question, entitled “White Potus,” parodied former U.S. President Donald Trump and his inner circle, featuring Sarah Sherman portraying Wood’s character, Chelsea. The scene focused on U.S. Health Secretary Robert Francis Kennedy Jr. and included a humorous take on his proposal to eliminate fluoride from drinking water—a controversial idea he has publicly endorsed.
In the sketch, Kennedy, portrayed by Jon Hamm, muses about the consequences of his proposal on dental health. The scene transitions to Sherman as Chelsea, where she exaggerates her confusion about fluoride while donning noticeably decayed false teeth.
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Wood took to Instagram to discuss her feelings following a recent interview with British GQ, where she candidly shared her initial anxiety about her appearance on the acclaimed HBO series. She clarified that her insecurities were personal and emphasized that HBO was nothing but supportive.
In stark contrast, she felt the SNL sketch was personally attacking, as it reduced her to a caricature focused solely on her appearance. Wood pointed out that while other public figures were parodied for their actions, she was singled out based on how she looked.
“I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth,” she remarked, critiquing Sherman’s portrayal and accent. “I don’t mind caricature… but the rest of the skit was focused on high-profile individuals, while I/Chelsea was the only one targeted negatively.”
In the wake of the sketch, Wood received an outpouring of support from fans, noting that she received “thousands” of encouraging messages. She also expressed understanding towards Sherman, acknowledging that SNL later extended an apology.
Interestingly, her co-star, Walton Goggins, who plays Rick in The White Lotus, seemed to find humor in the SNL skit, initially expressing his amusement on social media before later deleting his posts.
‘A Journey of Self-Acceptance’
Wood’s portrayal in Season 3 of The White Lotus has resonated with many, making her one of the standout characters in the series’ most successful season to date. Her distinctive personality and appearance have sparked conversations about evolving beauty standards.
The actress has been vocal about her journey toward self-acceptance. Recently, she shared on Instagram that embracing her gap teeth was a liberating experience, and during an appearance on The Jonathan Ross Show, she expressed how the positive reception of her features marked a “full-circle moment” after enduring bullying in her youth.
The show even included an improvised line from Charlotte Le Bon’s character, who complimented Wood’s smile, signaling a shift in narrative towards embracing natural beauty in an industry often associated with unrealistic standards.
However, despite the praise, Wood articulated the exhaustion stemming from frequent discussions about her appearance. She questioned whether this focus would be as prevalent if she were a man, illuminating ongoing issues surrounding gender and how society often prioritizes women’s looks over their talents and contributions.
“People think it’s a compliment,” she said, addressing the relentless inquiries regarding her teeth, “but it shifts the conversation away from my work, which is frustrating.”
Source
www.cbc.ca