White Lotus' star Aimee Lou Wood calls out 'mean and unfunny' SNL skit that mocked her teeth
The White Lotus_ and _Sex Education_ actress Aimee Lou Wood has criticized Saturday Night Live after a sketch that aired recently appeared to mock her teeth. The 31-year-old performer was impersonated by Sarah Sherman who wore oversized prosthetic teeth while acting deliberately foolish and ridiculing her accent in a parody titled 'The White Potus' - with President Donald Trump portrayed by James Austin Johnson.
During the sketch, SNL's host Jon Hamm asks Sherman's character: "What if we removed all the fluoride from drinking water? But what would that do to people's teeth?"
Sherman responds: "Fluoride? What's that?" This punchline implies Wood neglects dental hygiene. Fluoride is a natural mineral commonly found in toothpaste that strengthens teeth and prevents decay, though the British actress's sparkling teeth clearly contradict this suggestion.
Sherman continues in the skit: "Oh, look, a monkey." Hamm's character then states he will kill the animal, to which Sherman answers: "No, not the monkey," all while attempting a poor imitation of a Mancunian accent. Wood originates from Stockport, a town near Manchester, England.
The actress expressed her feelings on Instagram, posting several messages to her 2.8 million followers noting that HBO, which produces The White Lotus, has never ridiculed her appearance, unlike NBC's SNL.
"But whilst in honest mode - I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny xo (Felt righteous might delete later x)," Wood shared.
"So, to conclude today's rant: @hbo - kind and supportive and never wronged me so leave them alone. @nbcsnl - mean."
"On a positive note, everyone agrees with me about it so I'm glad I spoke up instead of criticizing myself."
She added: "Such a shame because I enjoyed watching it a couple weeks ago. Yes, make fun for sure that's what the show does but there must be a smarter, more nuanced, less cheap approach!"
"Last thing I'll say about this. I am not sensitive. I actually enjoy being made fun of when it's clever and good-natured. But the joke concerned fluoride. I have big gap teeth not unhealthy teeth. I understand caricature is part of SNL. But the rest of the skit targeted those in power while I/Chelsea was the only one belittled... Okay finished."
Wood received numerous supportive messages that she displayed on the social media platform, all validating her frustration - with many highlighting how she was the sole person outside of politics who was ridiculed in the program.
A friend texted her: "There was !!! it was so mean... they all targeted politicians except for u. like hello? is this highschool? u deserve better babe cus among that beautiful face and soul that's all they chose to mock ..?"
