Aimee Lou Wood Criticizes SNL’s ‘White Lotus’ Parody as ‘Mean and Unfunny’

Aimee Lou Wood Speaks Out on SNL Parody Controversy

Aimee Lou Wood is no stranger to biting humor, but even she has limits—especially when it gets personal. The English actress, who stars as Chelsea in the third season of White Lotus, recently found herself at the center of a comedy firestorm after Saturday Night Live aired a parody sketch named ‘White Potus’ on April 12. The skit, which mixed political lampooning with the distinct quirky style of White Lotus, singled out Wood’s character in a way that left the actress publicly disappointed.

The SNL sketch featured cast member Sarah Sherman taking on Aimee Lou Wood’s Chelsea—not just by mimicking her accent and mannerisms, but by amplifying one of Wood’s most recognizable features: her teeth. Sherman donned inflatable-looking prosthetic teeth for maximum comedic effect. But the joke fell flat for Wood, who has built a reputation among fans for confidently embracing her unique smile both on and off screen.

Wood shared her response through Instagram Stories, cutting straight to the point: “I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny. Such a shame cuz I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago.” Her message quickly spread across social media and entertainment outlets, striking a chord with viewers who’ve followed her journey of self-acceptance.

Comedy, Satire, and That Fine Line

Drawing the line between clever satire and hurtful mockery is never simple. Wood isn’t opposed to parody; she gets that comedy has a sharp edge and celebrity caricature is part of the territory. Her real gripe? This particular joke, she felt, was “less clever” and more “cheap.” Instead of a witty twist on her character or the show, the sketch zeroed in on something she openly owns: her teeth. In her words, it just didn’t stack up to SNL’s usual smart humor.

After the backlash gained traction, sources close to the show confirmed that SNL reached out to Wood with an apology. That move didn’t completely settle the discussion. For plenty of fans and comedians, this incident spotlighted a bigger issue: has comedy in the age of instant reaction lost its sense of nuance?

There’s no denying that SNL thrives on pushing buttons—they've lampooned presidents, pop stars, and even their own cast. But when the punchline fixates on a physical trait an actress works hard to accept, it cuts deeper. For Wood, who has championed authentic representation and fought off Hollywood’s expectations about looks, the prosthetic-teeth gag wasn’t just a throwaway joke—it missed why audiences connect to her in the first place.

Plenty of viewers saw Wood’s call-out as refreshing. She didn’t ask for comedians to stop poking fun; she just reminded the world that smart, thoughtful jabs are a lot more satisfying than an easy, surface-level laugh. Her take adds another voice to the ongoing debate about where comedy stops being brave and starts being lazy.