So, you’ve probably seen the headlines or caught a stray clip on TikTok. Aimee Lou Wood, the absolute gem from Sex Education and more recently The White Lotus, found herself at the center of a weirdly intense late-night storm. We’re talking about the Aimee Lou Wood SNL skit—or specifically, the "White Potus" parody that aired back in April 2025.
It wasn't just a regular "haha, look at this show" moment. It got messy.
The sketch was meant to be a mashup. Think The White Lotus vibes but populated by political figures like Donald Trump and RFK Jr. Most of the cast members were playing these high-profile politicians, which is standard fare for Saturday Night Live. But then Sarah Sherman (aka Sarah Squirm) stepped out as Wood’s character, Chelsea. And honestly? It wasn't the political satire that caught people’s attention. It was the teeth.
What Really Happened With the Aimee Lou Wood SNL Skit
Let's break it down. Sarah Sherman appeared wearing massive, cartoonish prosthetic teeth and doing a version of a British accent that... well, let's just say it didn't exactly win any awards for accuracy. While everyone else in the sketch was being mocked for their political stances or public scandals, the "joke" for Wood’s character seemed to begin and end with her physical appearance.
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Wood didn't stay quiet. She’s been open about her "imposter syndrome" and the bullying she faced as a kid because of her teeth, so seeing a global platform like SNL lean into that felt personal. She hopped on Instagram and called the sketch "mean and unfunny."
She wasn't being a "snowflake" about it either. Her point was actually pretty nuanced. Basically, she said that if you’re going to take the piss, at least make it clever. Or, at the very least, get the accent right. Her biggest gripe? Every other person in the parody was a political figure being critiqued for their actions. She was the only one being mocked just for existing as a woman with a specific facial feature.
Breaking a Pattern of Bullying
Fast forward to late 2025 and early 2026, and Wood is still being asked about it. In a BBC News interview, she mentioned that speaking out was about "breaking a pattern." She spent years being embarrassed or staying silent when people made comments about her look. This time, she chose to say, "I didn’t like that. It was mean."
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Interestingly, the story actually has a somewhat civil ending:
- The Apology: SNL actually reached out and apologized to her.
- The Flowers: Sarah Sherman, who is known for her high-energy and often body-horror-adjacent comedy, sent Wood a bouquet of flowers.
- No Hard Feelings: Wood clarified she wasn't "hating" on Sherman herself, just the concept of the joke.
Why This Skit Still Matters in 2026
You might wonder why we're still dissecting a sketch from a year ago. It’s because it hit a nerve about how we treat "unconventional" beauty in Hollywood. Aimee Lou Wood is a BAFTA winner. She’s incredibly talented. Yet, a huge chunk of the discourse around her—whether it's an SNL writer’s room or a random Twitter thread—is obsessed with her gap teeth.
Even Mike White, the creator of The White Lotus, reportedly told her to keep her natural accent for the show because it felt "believable" with her look. It’s a double-edged sword. Her unique look makes her relatable and "real" to fans who are tired of the "Instagram face" and "Turkey teeth" veneers that have taken over the industry. But it also makes her a target for low-hanging fruit comedy.
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What's Next for Aimee Lou Wood?
If you think this "controversy" slowed her down, think again. Aimee Lou Wood just walked away with a Golden Globe in January 2026 for her performance in The White Lotus Season 3. She’s also busy with her new BBC series Film Club, which she co-created and stars in.
She's moving from being "the girl with the teeth" to a legitimate powerhouse producer and writer. While she told reporters at the Golden Globes that she probably won't watch the next season of The White Lotus because it's "too sad" to move on, her career is anything but depressing. She's even set to play Pattie Boyd in the upcoming Sam Mendes Beatles cinematic event.
If you want to support talent that refuses to be boxed in by narrow beauty standards, here is how you can keep up with her work:
- Watch "Film Club" on BBC iPlayer: It’s a deeply personal project for her and shows off her writing chops.
- Catch "The White Lotus" Season 3: See the performance that actually won her the Globe, rather than the parody of it.
- Follow her stage work: She’s a RADA-trained powerhouse. If she returns to the West End (like her legendary run in Cabaret), get a ticket immediately.
The Aimee Lou Wood SNL skit might have been a "cheap shot," but the way she handled it—calling out the lack of nuance while remaining professional—actually ended up cementing her status as one of the most respected and authentic voices in the industry today.