Aimee Lou Wood’s response to SNL joke proves women are done letting things slide

Women really can never escape the body critics

White Lotus and Sex Education star Aimee Lou Wood has had to address a ‘mean’ and ‘unfunny’ SNL skit targeting her appearance.

After hearing nothing but praise for her teeth since the premiere of the newest season of White Lotus, and being open about experiencing relentless bullying about them when she was younger, the un-veneered, braced, capped, or overly-whitened teeth of Aimee Lou Wood have been dragged into a recent Saturday Night Live skit.

Initially hesitant to post a response to the portrayal, the star has sparked deeper conversation about the constant criticism of women’s appearances, proving that those in the public eye won’t quietly take cruel criticisms of their appearance anymore.

What was the SNL White Lotus skit?

Wood’s likeness was a strange inclusion in the skit to begin with, as it focused solely on political figures.

Following a Trump family vacation to ‘the White Potus’, Thailand, audiences watched the US President medicate with a McDonald’s nugget, before the first lady embodied Victoria Ratliff, saying, “We are so lucky that America will always be a rich and powerful nation. I mean, can you imagine how awful it would be if America lost all its money and no one in the world respected us anymore?”

Actor Jon Hamm then appeared as RFK Jr to explain all of his “crazy ideas”, saying, “What if we took all the fluoride out of the drinking water?” 

The portrayal came after the US Health Secretary expressed his skepticism of the enamel-strengthening chemical in drinking water and encouraged a ban on it. 

Fans and celebrities quickly came to Wood’s defence, pointing out how mean-spirited appearance-based jokes shouldn’t be the comedy show’s go-to. Image: HBO

Cast member Sarah Sherman then appeared with exaggerated prosthetic teeth, wide eyes and a bad Manchester accent, saying “fluoride? What’s that?”

While initially applauded by viewers, including Woods’ costar Walton Goggins (who has since deleted the related Instagram post), fans and celebrities quickly came to Wood’s defence, pointing out how mean-spirited appearance-based jokes shouldn’t be the comedy show’s go-to.

Aimee Lou Wood’s response

The 31-year-old posted an Instagram story on Sunday saying, “Whilst in honest mode – I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny xo”, adding “felt righteous, might delete later x".

Surprised by the thousands of supportive comments agreeing that her inclusion in the skit was mean and uncalled for, Wood posted additional stories explaining her take.

Yes, take the piss for sure – that’s what the show is about – but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way? Image: HBO

“Such a shame cuz I had such a great time watching it a couple weeks ago. Yes, take the piss for sure – that’s what the show is about – but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?”.

Actress and women’s rights advocate Jameela Jamil was among those sharing support for the star, writing, “I hate this so much. (Her smile is) the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor. Our next Olivia Coleman. Hilarious, deep, vulnerable, and relentlessly lovable."

"We make fun of the assimilation of women 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", she continued.

The reaction to the mocking of Aimee Lou Wood’s appearance has reinforced that we’ve really had enough of women’s looks being the butt of the joke. Image: Getty

Women are mocked for unique features at the same time as being criticised for all having ‘Instagram face’

Coming just over a month after Millie Bobby Brown had to point out that people have grown invested in her looks and consistently comment mean things about her body, face, hair, and whether or not the 21 year old is ageing ‘right’, the reaction to the mocking of Aimee Lou Wood’s appearance has reinforced that we’ve really had enough of women’s looks being the butt of the joke. And despite what the best of media training may encourage, young actresses aren’t taking it silently anymore.

With filler, anti-aging injections, veneers, and surgeries on eyelids, undereyes, noses, jaws, breasts and bums becoming so common in the industry, tabloids and social media users regularly pick apart those with the kinds of unique features the fashion world often lusts after. Women really can't win.

Even as insiders keep tipping unique and ‘imperfect’ features to be the next sought-after look as ‘Instagram face’ continues to grow popular, other media clearly still haven’t caught up, poking fun at difference. 

Many commenters also pointed out that linking Woods’ gappy teeth to a fluoride ban was cruel and confusing, seemingly linking crooked teeth to oral health.

Many commenters also pointed out that linking Woods’ gappy teeth to a fluoride ban was cruel and confusing, seemingly linking crooked teeth to oral health. 

The White Lotus star addressed this herself, saying, “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.”

A satirical take critiquing the policies, behaviour and views of politicians is one thing, but mocking a talented young woman’s looks for the sake of it is something else entirely, and unnecessary. 

The award-winning actress has already expressed some frustration about the sheer volume of teeth-centred conversations coming out of her appearance in the HBO series, telling GQ it made her feel “a bit sad because I'm not getting to talk about my work”. 

Hopefully the conversation starts to shift soon.

Originally published as Aimee Lou Wood’s response to SNL joke proves women are done letting things slide