Tensions seem to be simmering beyond the sets of The White Lotus Season 3 as co-stars Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood respond very differently to Saturday Night Live’s recent parody, The White Potus. In the April 12 episode of SNL, the sketch reimagined HBO’s The White Lotus with a Trump-era twist, featuring exaggerated portrayals of political figures. One of the most criticized caricatures was that of Aimee Lou Wood’s character Chelsea, played by SNL cast member Sarah Sherman with over-the-top fake teeth—prompting the actress to call the parody “mean and unfunny.”
But her co-star Walton Goggins, who plays Rick in the hit HBO show, took to Instagram with a starkly different tone. Sharing a clip of the sketch, he commented, “Hahahahahhahaha… Amazzzingggg.” He also praised Jon Hamm’s portrayal of RFK Jr., a parody stand-in for Goggins’ character: “SMASHING. Jon… I knew I was miscast.”
Aimee, who has been vocal about being bullied for her teeth in the past, criticized SNL for going too far. In an Instagram Story, she wrote: “I love being taken the piss out of when it’s clever and in good spirits. But the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth… I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on.”
Despite SNL reportedly issuing an apology, Aimee’s emotional reaction has made headlines. She was even seen crying on the streets of London days after the sketch aired, sparking concern from fans. The differing reactions have added fuel to rumors of a fallout between Goggins and Wood. Fans noticed the two had unfollowed each other on Instagram and pointed out that Goggins didn’t tag Aimee in a recent tribute post about their onscreen romance. “Thank you Aimee Lou for being my partner… a journey I will never forget,” Goggins wrote. “To me, ours was a love story, hindered by unresolved, childhood trauma.”
Aimee also addressed Goggins’ absence from the White Lotus Season 3 finale panel: “I was sad that Walton wasn’t there because it was something that we did together… but also it’s so f–king Rick and Chelsea.” With the drama unfolding both on and off the screen, The White Lotus Season 3 continues to be one of the most buzzed-about shows of 2025—not just for its plot twists, but for its cast dynamics.
After the White Lotus star Aimee Lou Wood called a Saturday Night Live parody of her and her character Chelsea that focused on her signature smile "mean and unfunny," stars including Cara Delevingne and Georgia May Jagger rushed to her defense. Cara reposted a screenshot of Aimee's original April 13 Instagram Stories and wrote, "@aimeelouwood YOU ARE STUNNING PERIOD." Georgia then screenshotted the model's post and wrote, "Agreed! @aimeelouwood is gorgeous."
Jameela Jamil went even deeper when she posted a headline from an article detailing Aimee's reaction to the SNL sketch, declaring, "I hate this so much." "It's the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor," the Good Place actress wrote of the 31-year-old's signature smile. "Our next Olivia Coleman. Hilarious, deep, vulnerable, and relentlessly lovable."
"We make fun of the assimilation of women," Jameela went on, "and then mercilessly obsess over anyone with any slightly alternative features from whatever bulls--t AI standard we have allowed, as women, to take hold of this world." The outspoken star continued to gush about Aimee on a subsequent slide, writing, "I also think she's so f--king beautiful and love her face so much and wouldn't want her to look any different."
The Sex Education alum's sister Emily Wood also chimed in to support her older sister. "She is out here personifying the word POWERHOUSE," the makeup artist wrote over a selfie with her sister on her Instagram Stories. "The admiration I have for this woman is nuts. Beyond comprehension. JUST like my feelings of deep animalistic protectiveness over her."
"The greatest big sister," Emily continued. "My best human on the planet. Her authenticity and originality is incomparable. My god we are really madly blessed to experience life on earth at the same time as her." Aimee reposted Cara, Georgia and Jameela's messages and added heart emojis to them. Alongside her sister's post, she wrote, "I love you Emily."
The actress—who previously said that she'd been "bullied" for her teeth for "forever"—initially made her feelings known about the April 12 SNL parody starring Sarah Sherman the morning after it aired. "Such a shame cuz I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago," she wrote, in part. "Yes, take the p--s for sure - that's what the show is about - but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?"
After reposting some supportive DMs that she'd received in response to her criticism of the sketch, Aimee posted about how much support she's been feeling. "Omg I've got THOUSANDS of messages in agreement with me since posting that," she revealed. "Thanks guys. Glad I said something..."
"Last thing I'll say on the matter," Aimee wrote on another slide, "I am not thin skinned. I actually love being taken the piss out of when it's clever and in good spirits. But the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth not bad teeth. I don't mind caricature - I understand that's what SNL is. But the rest of the skit was punching up and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on." The actress also absolved Sarah of blame, clarifying that she's "not hating on her," rather she was "hating on the concept."
Perhaps bringing the controversy full circle, Aimee revealed that she's "had apologies from SNL" since sharing her feelings about the sketch. Meanwhile, Ronni Ancona has expressed sympathy for Aimee Lou Wood, stating she feels for her as a recent SNL sketch poked fun at the star's appearance. In a recent appearance on BBC Breakfast, the comedian discussed her own regrets from her time on Big Impression and shared her thoughts on the SNL sketch.
Ronni remarked, "Full disclaimer, I think she's amazing, I think she's unbelievably talented. Very funny and very talented and very beautiful actually. I do have an element of sympathy with her, I think if you watch the whole sketch, which I have." She added, "All the elements are political satire, then Aimee Lou isn't, it's the only element where it's not about a politician."
Ronni suggested that the writers were likely trying to draw a connection between Robert F. Kennedy Jr.'s campaign against fluoride in water and teeth. She remarked, "It was a bit of a cheap shot, really, because she's quite right. I'm no dentist, but I don't think fluoride changes the shape of your teeth. I think she's got beautiful teeth."
As the drama continues to unfold, the dynamics between the cast of The White Lotus and the broader conversations about body image and representation in media remain at the forefront of public discourse. The ongoing discussions about Aimee Lou Wood's experience highlight the complexities of celebrity culture and the impact of parody on individuals.
