Aimee Lou Wood, best known for her role in The White Lotus, has publicly criticized a recent Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch that parodied her with exaggerated prosthetic teeth, describing it as "mean and unfunny." The British actress expressed her disappointment via social media, claiming the sketch employed a misogynistic tone and "punched down" instead of maintaining a clever and light-hearted spirit.
In multiple Instagram posts, the 31-year-old actress explained her willingness to be the subject of jokes that are well-crafted, stating, "there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way" to achieve humor. She revealed that after sharing her views, she received apologies from the SNL team. The BBC has reached out to NBC for further comment on the matter.
Wood's portrayal in the third season of The White Lotus, where she plays a guest at a luxurious resort, has garnered considerable media attention, particularly regarding her "big gap teeth." The SNL sketch, which aired this past week, humorously depicted former President Donald Trump and his advisors at a fictional hotel while featuring Wood's character, Chelsea, performed by Sarah Sherman. The humor revolved around a line referencing Wood’s teeth when Chelsea quipped, “Fluoride? What's that?”
Clarifying her stance, Wood argued, "I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth," highlighting that the skit felt inconsistent with the overall tone, as the rest of the performance seemed to "punch up." She expressed admiration for Sherman's work yet criticized the broader concept behind the portrayal.
Additionally, Wood shared a comment from an unnamed user who felt the sketch shifted from humor to "1970s misogyny," aligning with her perspective on the portrayal. She even took issue with Sherman's accent, underscoring her respect for authenticity, albeit with a negative outcome.
The actress noted a flood of support from fans, receiving "thousands of messages" that echoed her sentiments in the wake of her critique. During a recent interview with GQ, Wood reflected on her mixed feelings about the discussions surrounding her appearance, indicating it detracted from conversations about her acting career.
"This ongoing focus on a woman's looks raises questions," she mused, "like would we even be discussing this if it were a man?" As she navigates this public conversation, Wood remains committed to advocating for more thoughtful and respectful representations in comedy.
In multiple Instagram posts, the 31-year-old actress explained her willingness to be the subject of jokes that are well-crafted, stating, "there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way" to achieve humor. She revealed that after sharing her views, she received apologies from the SNL team. The BBC has reached out to NBC for further comment on the matter.
Wood's portrayal in the third season of The White Lotus, where she plays a guest at a luxurious resort, has garnered considerable media attention, particularly regarding her "big gap teeth." The SNL sketch, which aired this past week, humorously depicted former President Donald Trump and his advisors at a fictional hotel while featuring Wood's character, Chelsea, performed by Sarah Sherman. The humor revolved around a line referencing Wood’s teeth when Chelsea quipped, “Fluoride? What's that?”
Clarifying her stance, Wood argued, "I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth," highlighting that the skit felt inconsistent with the overall tone, as the rest of the performance seemed to "punch up." She expressed admiration for Sherman's work yet criticized the broader concept behind the portrayal.
Additionally, Wood shared a comment from an unnamed user who felt the sketch shifted from humor to "1970s misogyny," aligning with her perspective on the portrayal. She even took issue with Sherman's accent, underscoring her respect for authenticity, albeit with a negative outcome.
The actress noted a flood of support from fans, receiving "thousands of messages" that echoed her sentiments in the wake of her critique. During a recent interview with GQ, Wood reflected on her mixed feelings about the discussions surrounding her appearance, indicating it detracted from conversations about her acting career.
"This ongoing focus on a woman's looks raises questions," she mused, "like would we even be discussing this if it were a man?" As she navigates this public conversation, Wood remains committed to advocating for more thoughtful and respectful representations in comedy.
