Aimee Lou Wood, a prominent British actress known for her roles in The White Lotus and Sex Education, has publicly criticized a recent parody of her character on the iconic sketch show, Saturday Night Live (SNL). In her pointed remarks, the 31-year-old actress expressed that the portrayal was not only unfunny but also hinted at underlying misogyny, a sentiment she elaborated on through a series of Instagram posts.

Following the airing of the sketch, which featured exaggerated prosthetic teeth resembling Wood's distinctively gap-toothed smile, she stated that while she is open to being the subject of humor, there should be a level of cleverness and nuance to such portrayals. Wood asserted, Im happy to be made fun of when its clever and in good spirits, but there must be a more nuanced, less cheap way. This comment highlights her disappointment with a sketch that she feels resorted to low-hanging fruit rather than clever satire.

In the sketch, which aired this past weekend, the storyline involved a fictionalized version of former US President Donald Trump and his team visiting a luxury hotel. Wood's character, Chelsea, was brought to life by cast member Sarah Sherman, who adopted a pronounced accent and sported fake teeth that exaggerated Woods own features. During the sketch, the character humorously questions, Fluoride? Whats that? a line that Wood interpreted as derogatory.

Wood, who first gained major recognition through her role in Netflixs Sex Education, made it clear that she is not overly sensitive to satire. However, she felt that the joke crossed a line. The rest of the skit was punching up, and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on, she explained. This statement underscores her belief that the humor is often skewed and that women, in particular, are often subject to different standards and scrutiny in public discourse.

In a thoughtful reflection, Wood addressed her audience, saying she respects Sherman's talent as a comedian but takes issue with the overarching concept of the sketch. She pointed to a comment from an unnamed user who described the sketch initially as sharp and funny but noted how it took a screeching turn into 1970s misogyny. Wood resonated with this viewpoint, asserting, This sums up my view.

In the wake of her comments, Wood reported receiving an outpouring of support from fans, stating that thousands of messages have echoed her sentiments. She expressed satisfaction in having spoken out, feeling that her concerns resonated widely with her audience.

Reflecting on the broader context of public discussions about her appearance, Wood shared that the focus on her gap teeth has made her a bit sad because it detracted from conversations about her work and talents as an actress. She recognized that her unique smile has become a symbol of rebellion and freedom, yet also questioned why such discussions seem to persist, particularly when it comes to women. I dont know if it was a man, would we be talking about it this much? Its still going on about a womans appearance, she pondered, raising critical questions about gender bias in public perception.