• Aimee Lou Wood labels SNL's sketch about her teeth as "mean and unfunny."
• Wood received apologies from SNL and has garnered support from fellow celebrities.
• The sketch, titled "The White Potus," parodied Wood's character in a controversial manner.
• Experts have commented on the impact such jokes can have on mental health and self-esteem.
• Wood expressed concern over societal obsession with women's appearances versus their work.

Aimee Lou Wood, known for her role in the HBO series The White Lotus, has criticized Saturday Night Live (SNL) for a recent sketch that mocked her appearance, calling it "mean and unfunny." In a series of Instagram posts, she highlighted how the sketch portrayed her character while emphasizing her "big gap teeth" using exaggerated prosthetics, describing the humor as "punching down" when the rest of the skit targeted more prominent figures, including Donald Trump, according to BBC.

Wood elaborated that while she appreciates clever comedy, the sketch's focus on her appearance was inappropriate, asserting, "the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth not bad teeth." She stated that she was grateful for the apologies received from SNL but felt the humor fell flat and lacked nuance, as reported by South China Morning Post.

In her Instagram stories, Wood shared that her initial criticism was met with a wave of support from fans and other celebrities, with many praising her for embracing her natural smile at a time when cosmetic procedures are prevalent. Notably, Sydney Gomez, a licensed social worker, remarked on the potential adverse effects such jokes can have on personal confidence and mental health, underscoring the societal pressure to conform to certain beauty standards, according to HuffPost.

Wood also reflected on the media's long-standing fixation on her teeth, expressing her desire for conversations to focus more on her acting career rather than her appearance alone. "It makes me really happy that it's symbolizing rebellion and freedom, but there's a limit," she noted, suggesting that discussions about her smile should not overshadow her professional achievements, as detailed by Bangkok Post.

Since the sketch aired, Wood received a mix of reactions, with some defending SNL and praising the sketch as a highlight of the show. In an interview, fellow White Lotus star Walton Goggins commented positively on SNL's portrayal, indicating varied responses within the entertainment community. However, amidst the mixed reactions, Wood emphasized that she does not wish to promote negativity towards SNL or Sarah Sherman, the cast member who impersonated her, reiterating her stance that the joke lacked necessary cleverness, according to Business Insider.