Aimee Lou Wood on Finding Her Voice
Actor Aimee Lou Wood shared how she has learned to stand up for herself after calling out a “mean and unfunny” impression of her on 'Saturday Night Live'. In a recent interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the White Lotus and Sex Education star spoke about a pivotal experience on the set of Anxious People, directed by Marc Forster and co-starring Angelina Jolie.
Support on the Set of 'Anxious People'
While filming an emotional scene, Lou Wood said she began to feel overwhelmed as several crew members shouted directions at once. She asked for one clear voice and no distracting gestures in her line of sight, realizing it was time to advocate for her needs on set.
“I’ve spent years feeling unable to say anything like that for fear of seeming argumentative – but now I feel like I can take ownership of what I need to thrive, and tell people what won’t work for me,”
She recalled that when she spoke up, Angelina Jolie silently supported her gesture on set.
“When I spoke up, all I could see was Angelina giving me a thumbs up. She’s possibly the most famous woman ever, but she’s so normal.”
Standing Up After the SNL Parody
Lou Wood drew parallels between this moment and her earlier decision to respond publicly to the SNL sketch that mocked her appearance. She compared it to “breaking a pattern” that began when she was younger and didn’t defend herself against teasing.
The April parody tweaked The White Lotus Season 3 with a Thailand setting, featuring Sarah Sherman as Lou Wood’s character Chelsea, using exaggerated buck teeth for comedic effect. Wood said the impression came shortly after she had spoken publicly about feeling tired of discussing her own teeth.
Author’s Summary
Through self-advocacy and candid reflection, Aimee Lou Wood shows how speaking up for herself has led to both personal growth and unexpected solidarity from Angelina Jolie.