Aimee Lou Wood is clearing the air after paparazzi photos of her in tears sparked speculation about the reason behind her emotional moment.
The photos, captured just a day earlier, showed Wood being comforted by her friend and “Film Club” co-writer Ralph Davis.
In the photos, Aimee Lou Wood leaned her head on his chest, partially hidden by a cap, before the pair walked off together.
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Aimee Lou Wood Sets The Record Straight On Viral Crying Pics
“The White Lotus” actress took to Instagram Stories on Tuesday to clarify that the tearful images, snapped on the streets of South London, had nothing to do with the narrative that quickly circulated online.
“I actually wasn’t crying about anything that the papers made out,” she explained, thanking British radio host Ashley Louise James for calling out “Saturday Night Live” after the sketch comedy show was blamed for reducing her to tears.
“I was crying about [laughing face] something completely unrelated,” Wood added.
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Aimee Lou Wood Fires Back After ‘SNL’ Sketch Hits A Nerve
During the “SNL” sketch titled “The White Potus,” comedian Sarah Sherman impersonated Wood’s “White Lotus” character Chelsea, complete with exaggerated fake teeth, prompting Wood to speak out.
Calling the skit “mean and unfunny,” the “Sex Education” star emphasized that while she’s not “thin skinned” and “actually love[s] being taken the piss out of when it’s clever and in good spirits,” the portrayal felt like a personal dig.
“I have big gap teeth not bad teeth,” she noted, adding that while she respects ‘SNL’’s legacy of caricature, “the rest of the skit was punching up and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on.”
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Fans Think Walton Goggins Just Took A Jab At Aimee Lou Wood
Although many fans rallied to support Wood, her “White Lotus” co-star Walton Goggins appeared to take a different stance, fueling rumors of an off-screen rift between the two.
Goggins shared the sketch on his own social media, calling it “smashing” in all caps and commenting on “SNL”’s Instagram post with, “Hahahahahhahaha Amazzzingggg.”
The move raised eyebrows among fans who previously noticed that Goggins and Wood, whose characters had a memorable and tragic love arc in Season 3, don’t follow each other on Instagram, despite having once shared heartfelt tributes to their on-screen relationship.
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Aimee Lou Wood Gets Real About Hollywood Beauty Standards
Aimee Lou Wood is continuing to challenge conventional beauty norms in Hollywood, but she’s also ready to move the conversation beyond her teeth.
In a candid February interview with “On Demand Entertainment,” the “White Lotus” star revealed she never expected to break into the U.S. acting scene, in part because of how she looks. “I just don’t think I look very American. Like at all,” she admitted. “It’s the teeth. Like, no Americans have my teeth.”
Wood, known for her refreshingly authentic presence on screen, reflected on how many U.S. actors opt for veneers in order to meet industry expectations. Choosing to embrace her natural smile, she’s carved out a space where what once made her stand out in a negative way has become a point of celebration, and relatability, among audiences.
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Still, that spotlight hasn’t always been welcome.
Wood Is Tired Of Being Defined By Her Smile
In an April 5 interview with The Sunday Times, Wood spoke openly about her growing frustration with how much attention her teeth continue to receive.
“It’s, like, cool, and now I want to stop f-cking talking about it,” she said. “Can I talk about my character? Why am I talking about my gnashers? It’s like now I’m just a pair of front teeth.”
While she appreciates that her decision to stay natural has inspired others, the “Sex Education” alum confessed she’s still navigating the discomfort of being defined by the very feature she was once bullied for.
“It does feel a bit weird that the thing I got bullied for is now the thing that everyone’s, like, ‘Woo!’” she said. “It’s still the thing that’s defining me.”
