‘White Lotus’ Star Condemns SNL’s ‘Cheap Shot’ Parody
British actress Aimee Lou Wood has publicly criticized “Saturday Night Live” for what she described as a “mean and unfunny” portrayal of her in a recent sketch parodying HBO’s hit series “The White Lotus.” The 31-year-old star, who played Chelsea in the show’s third season, took to Instagram on Sunday to express her disappointment with the comedy show’s approach to humor at her expense.
The sketch in question, titled “White POTUS,” featured SNL cast member Sarah Sherman wearing exaggerated fake teeth to mimic Wood’s natural smile – a physical attribute that has received disproportionate attention since the season premiered. The parody centered around President Donald Trump and his inner circle vacationing at the fictional luxury resort in Thailand.
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When Parody Crosses the Line
“Yes, take the piss for sure – that’s what the show is about – but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way,” Wood wrote in her Instagram Story, according to Variety. Her criticism specifically targeted the sketch’s focus on her appearance rather than her performance or character traits.
The controversial moment occurred when guest host Jon Hamm, playing Robert F. Kennedy Jr., wondered aloud what removing fluoride from drinking water would “do to people’s teeth.” The camera then cut to Sherman’s exaggerated portrayal of Wood, sporting an over-the-top accent and prominently false teeth, who responded: “Fluoride? What’s that?”
Wood also took issue with the accuracy of Sherman’s impersonation, stating: “At least get the accent right seriously. I respect accuracy even if it’s mean.” The criticism highlights the ongoing tension between comedy’s push for laughs and the potential harm of appearance-based humor.
A History of Dental Discourse
This isn’t the first time Wood’s smile has been the subject of SNL’s comedy. Earlier in the season, another sketch featured James Austin Johnson as Trump telling Marco Rubio (played by Marcello Hernandez) that he wanted to purchase Thailand because he’d been watching “The White Lotus” and it looked beautiful, asking, “How about the girl with the teeth?”
In a recent interview with GQ, Wood expressed frustration about the public’s fixation on her appearance rather than her work. “I’m not getting to talk about my work,” she lamented, as reported by USA TODAY. The actress also revealed her own insecurities, sharing that when she learned “White Lotus” creator Mike White had to advocate for her casting, she immediately assumed, “HBO didn’t want me because I’m ugly.”
Wood later clarified on Instagram that “nobody at HBO called me ugly,” noting she was expressing her “own paranoid thought.” She emphasized that the network has been “kind and supportive,” in stark contrast to how she feels SNL has treated her.
The White Potus pic.twitter.com/PhOlMPx02y
— Saturday Night Live – SNL (@nbcsnl) April 13, 2025
Overwhelming Support and Apologies
Following her initial post, Wood reported receiving “thousands of messages” from supporters who agreed with her critique of the sketch. “Glad I said something,” she wrote, suggesting that her public stance had resonated with many viewers who found the humor distasteful.
One particularly moving response came from a follower who thanked Wood for speaking up: “I have a big gap in my teeth and an overbite and you’ve genuinely made me feel so much better about myself.” Wood replied simply, “Correct,” acknowledging the broader impact of appearance-based mockery on viewers.
According to CNN, Wood later revealed she had received “apologies” from “SNL,” though she did not specify which individuals from the show had reached out to her. Representatives for “Saturday Night Live” have not publicly commented on the situation.
The Broader Context
The “White POTUS” sketch primarily targeted political figures, with James Austin Johnson portraying President Trump in a storyline inspired by Jason Isaacs’ character Timothy Ratliff from the third season of “The White Lotus.” The parody also featured Chloe Fineman as Melania Trump, Mikey Day as Donald Trump Jr., and even musical guest Lizzo appearing as Natasha Rothwell’s character Belinda.
While political satire forms the backbone of SNL’s comedy tradition, Wood’s criticism raises important questions about when character parodies cross from creative commentary into personal attacks – particularly when focusing on physical attributes rather than behaviors or personalities.
As discussions about the boundaries of comedy continue, Wood’s willingness to publicly address what she perceived as a “cheap shot” has sparked important conversations about the responsibility of satirists when their humor targets individuals rather than ideas.
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