SNL has often sparked conversation for its portrayals of pop culture and public figures, and its recent sketch parodying The White Lotus added to that legacy. The pre-recorded segment, titled The White Potus, featured cast member Sarah Sherman playing a version of Chelsea, the character portrayed by Aimee Lou Wood in season 3 of the HBO series.
With exaggerated features and a comedic spin, the sketch drew criticism from viewers, and Wood herself later expressed disappointment over the depiction. On May 5, 2025, during an interview with Entertainment Tonight at the Met Gala, Wood was asked whether she would ever consider appearing on SNL, especially given the current attention around the parody. In response, she said,
"Yeah! Why not? Yeah, it would be fun."
Her remarks came on the same night her co-star from The White Lotus, Walton Goggins, was also present at the event. Notably, he is set to host an upcoming SNL episode; however, Wood clarified that she wouldn’t be appearing in the same.
The actress's comments suggest that despite the recent sketch and the media coverage surrounding it, she is not opposed to engaging with the show, possibly even from the inside.
Aimee Lou Wood open to SNL appearance despite controversy
At the 2025 Met Gala, Aimee Lou Wood addressed questions about both the controversial sketch and the possibility of appearing on Saturday Night Live. In her interview with Entertainment Tonight, she was asked whether she would want to appear on the show alongside co-star Walton Goggins, to which she responded,
"I loved working with Walton. It was the best thing ever," she said.
Wood then confirmed she would not be joining Walton Goggins’ upcoming SNL episode, but said she looked forward to seeing him at the event. Their relationship had been a topic of speculation in recent weeks, as the two did not participate in post-season interviews together and do not follow each other on social media. Further, Goggins also declined to answer questions about their current dynamic.
While laughing at the idea of a surprise cameo in Goggins' SNL episode, Wood said,
"I couldn’t say… but, also I’m not, I’m not doing that."
Her tone indicated amusement and clarity—she wasn’t appearing, but her interest in the show itself remained positive.
Aimee addressed the parody sketch controversy and media reaction
The parody sketch The White Potus aired three weeks ago on Saturday Night Live, portraying political figures at a fictional resort. Cast member Sarah Sherman took on the role of Chelsea, Aimee Lou Wood’s character from The White Lotus season 3, exaggerating her appearance with large false teeth.
The depiction received backlash online, with many viewers calling it offensive, and Wood herself later addressed the situation. Meanwhile, in her latest interview, she explained why she decided to speak publicly about the sketch, stating:
"I saw that people were angry about it, and I thought I could either say something and just have it be said, and then I won’t spiral inwardly and feel terrible about myself."
Aimee further added,
"Then the next minute, it was like the whole world... was like, ‘Aimee Lou Wood crying on the street over the SNL skit.’ I wasn’t crying about the SNL skit, I was crying about something completely unrelated, but it all got quite out of control."
Several SNL cast members have also responded to the situation. Bowen Yang commented that Wood’s reaction was “completely valid,” and Chloe Fineman clarified that the sketch was “made with love.” Though the situation attracted wide media coverage, it now seems that Wood is ready to move past it.
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