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In a gracious conclusion to what began as a public disagreement, "The White Lotus" star Aimee Lou Wood revealed Tuesday that SNL cast member Sarah Sherman sent her a beautiful floral arrangement following a controversial sketch that aired April 12th.
The incident began when Saturday Night Live aired "The White POTUS," a parody combining political satire with references to HBO's hit series. In the sketch, Sherman portrayed Wood's character Chelsea while wearing what appeared to be prosthetic teeth and making jokes about fluoride—a sensitive topic for the British actress who has previously spoken about being bullied for her smile.
Wood promptly expressed her disappointment on Instagram, writing that while comedy should "take the piss," there must be "a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way" to do so. Her critique centered on the sketch's approach, which she characterized as "mean and unfunny."
"The Good Place" actress Jameela Jamil quickly came to Wood's defense, condemning what she viewed as a double standard for women in entertainment. "It's the least interesting or memorable thing about this brilliant actor," Jamil wrote, comparing Wood to acclaimed actress Olivia Colman and describing her as "hilarious, deep, vulnerable, and relentlessly lovable."
Industry observers note this controversy highlights ongoing tensions regarding comedy's boundaries, particularly when targeting physical appearances. According to a 2023 Pew Research study, 67% of entertainment professionals believe that comedy targeting physical attributes has become increasingly scrutinized in recent years.
The resolution came Tuesday when Wood shared an image of orange roses and pink carnations on her Instagram Stories with the caption, "Thank you for the beautiful flowers," tagging Sherman in the post.
This gesture follows Wood's March appearance on "The Jonathan Ross Show," where she spoke about the unexpected attention her smile has received from American audiences. "I can't believe the impact my teeth are having," she remarked. "The Americans can't believe—but they're all being lovely."
While NBC and "Saturday Night Live" representatives have not officially commented on the controversy, Sherman's personal gesture suggests acknowledgment of Wood's feelings. Entertainment analyst Maria Fernandez told Entertainment Weekly, "This demonstrates how public figures can resolve conflicts gracefully without formal statements."
The 31-year-old Wood, who first gained recognition for her role in Netflix's "Sex Education," continues to receive critical acclaim for her performance in the third season of "The White Lotus," which premiered earlier this year to record viewership numbers for HBO.
