Aimee Lou Wood, the British actress celebrated for her role in HBO's The White Lotus, has openly criticized a recent Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch that featured an exaggerated portrayal of her character. In a series of expressive Instagram posts, Wood deemed the sketch "mean and unfunny," claiming it perpetuated misogynistic themes.
The sketch, which aired this past weekend, depicted Wood's character, Chelsea, alongside former President Donald Trump and his entourage, using excessive prosthetic teeth to mock her appearance. Wood expressed her disappointment, noting that while she appreciates humor, it must be intelligent and respectful. “When it’s clever and in good spirits, I’m all for it,” she stated, emphasizing that humor should not come at the expense of others.
The backlash stemmed from the sketch's focus on Wood’s dental features, which have attracted attention before. Wood asserted that while she understands SNL's mandate to caricature, she felt the sketch was disproportionate. "I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth," she clarified. In her reflections, she pointed out that the remainder of the comedy did not target individuals in the same demeaning manner, highlighting an imbalance in the humor.
Sharing her thoughts on the representation of women in comedy, Wood wondered if the focus would differ if the subject were a man, indicating ongoing issues regarding women's appearances being a topic of ridicule. Following her posts, Wood's sister, Emily, rallied support for her, describing her as a "powerhouse" and commending her authenticity.
As the discourse around the sketch continues, Wood’s comments underscore a growing conversation about how comedy intersects with gender and representation, raising questions about the ethics of humor in contemporary society.
