Aimee Lou Wood, the British actress recognized for her role in the acclaimed series The White Lotus, has publicly criticized a recent sketch from Saturday Night Live (SNL) that depicted her character using exaggerated prosthetic teeth. Wood described the portrayal as "mean and unfunny" and suggested that the sketch reflected a misogynistic tone.
In a series of candid Instagram posts, the 31-year-old actress shared her thoughts, expressing that while she is open to light-hearted jokes, the execution in this case felt lacking in creativity and depth. Wood stated, "There must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way" to create humor. She noted she had received apologies from SNL following her criticisms, prompting inquiries for a more comprehensive response from the NBC network.
Wood’s character Chelsea in The White Lotus, which depicts various guests at a resort, has garnered significant media attention for her "big gap teeth." The SNL sketch, which aired recently, humorously showcased former President Donald Trump visiting this fictional resort, with Wood’s character being portrayed by Sarah Sherman, who used a fake accent and prominent fake teeth for the role. One humorous line directed to Wood referenced her dental feature, "Fluoride? What's that?"
Despite acknowledging that SNL often embraces caricature, Wood emphasized that the entire skit largely took jabs at more powerful figures, while she felt like the target of an unfair punch-down moment. "The whole joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth," she clarified.
Wood made it clear she wasn't attacking Sherman directly but criticized the overall concept behind the sketch instead. The actress shared feedback from social media users, including an unnamed individual who commented that the sketch began as "sharp and funny" but regressed into "1970s misogyny," which aligned with Wood’s thoughts on the matter.
Additionally, she expressed concern about the continuous focus on her appearance, stating, "I don't know if it was a man would we be talking about it this much?" Wood reflected on how conversations about her teeth have overshadowed discussions about her actual work in the entertainment industry. “It makes me really happy that it's symbolizing rebellion and freedom, but there's a limit," she noted, emphasizing the need for respect and balance in representation.
