Background on the Controversy

Aimee Lou Wood took to social media to address misconceptions regarding her critique of a ‘Saturday Night Live’ (SNL) parody that featured her character from HBO’s hit series, ‘The White Lotus’. In the skit, Sarah Sherman portrayed an exaggerated version of Wood’s character, Chelsea, as part of a segment centered on a humorous take on former President Donald Trump.

Wood’s Response

In an Instagram story, Wood expressed her criticism, stating: “Last thing I’ll say on the matter. I am not thin skinned. I actually love being taken the piss out of when it’s clever and in good spirits.” She pointed out her discomfort with the portrayal, clarifying, “But the rest of the skit was punching up and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on.”

She further elaborated, “Actually one last thing. Not [Sarah Sherman’s] fault. Not hating on her. Hating on the concept.” This statement emphasizes that her critique was directed at the idea behind the parody rather than the performers involved.

Details of the SNL Sketch

The SNL parody, which has garnered over 3.7 million views on YouTube, primarily targeted Trump and his associates, exploring the implications of tariff policies on the global economy. Notable cast members included James Austin Johnson as Trump and Chloe Fineman as Melania Trump, among others. In a comedic twist, Sherman’s character was depicted with exaggerated features, which drew Wood’s eye as particularly unfunny and somewhat demeaning.

Public Reaction

Wood previously labeled the sketch as “mean and unfunny” in her Instagram post, indicating her disappointment despite enjoying other segments of the show. She noted receiving “thousands of messages” of support following her critique, which suggests that her audience resonated with her perspective on the matter.