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‘White Lotus’ Stars Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood’s ‘SNL’ Skit Reactions Fuel Feud Rumors
The White Lotus season 3 costars Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood had wildly different reactions to a Saturday Night Live sketch parodying their characters, fueling ongoing rumors of a feud between the pair.
Walton, 53, reposted the “White Potus” skit in an Instagram Reel after the pre-taped piece opened the April 12 episode of SNL. He wrote that it was “smashing” and told Jon Hamm — who played his White Lotus character Rick Hatchett — “I knew I was miscast.”
The Justified alum even commented on SNL‘s Instagram post about the sketch, writing, “Hahahahahhahaha Amazzzingggg.”
Aimee, 31, had a far different reaction, as Sarah Sherman‘s version of Chelsea featured fake oversized teeth that appeared to mock the actress’ real mouth.
The Sex Education alum wrote in an Instagram Story on Sunday, April 13, “I did find the SNL thing mean and unfunny.”
Aimee went on to repost an Instagram Story showing support from her sister, Emma Wood, who called her sibling a “powerhouse.” The makeup artist, 28, added, “The admiration I have for this woman is nuts. Beyond comprehension. JUST like my feelings of deep animalistic protectiveness over her.”
The On the Edge actress also shared Instagram Stories showing support from famous friends. Cara Delevingne wrote, “@aimeelouwood YOU ARE STUNNING PERIOD,” while model Georgia May Jagger reposted Cara’s Story, adding, “Agreed! @aimeelouwood is gorgeous.”
Aimee also made it clear she was upset about how she was portrayed in the sketch that Walton found so hilarious.
“Last thing I’ll say on this matter. I’m not thin-skinned. I love being taken the piss out of when it’s clever and in good spirits,” she added in a follow-up Story post on April 13.
“But the joke was about fluoride. I have big gap teeth, not bad teeth. I don’t mind caricature — I understand that’s what SNL is. But the rest of the skit was punching up and I/Chelsea was the only one punched down on.”
Walton has since deleted his Instagram reel praising the sketch, although his comment about it being “amazing” remains on the SNL post.
The pair have fueled rumors of a feud ever since White Lotus‘ season finale aired on April 6, showing Rick and Chelsea’s tragic fates.
Up until then, Aimee and Walton had been openly supportive of each other throughout season 3, commenting on Instagram posts.
Eagle-eyed fans noticed that after the season finale aired, Walton stopped following Aimee Lou. Some speculated he may have blocked her, as her comments disappeared from his posts. Days later, Aimee reciprocated and quit following Walton on Instagram.
The Righteous Gemstones star gave Aimee a simple shout-out in his lengthy post after the finale where he chose to focus on their characters.
“Rick + Chelsea. With the heaviest of hearts … To me, ours was a love story. It was only ever a love story, hindered by unresolved, childhood trauma. We all have them … but can we move past them,” he wrote.
After thanking White Lotus creator, writer and director Mike White “for your imagination, your tender heart, for the privilege of giving us the opportunity to tell it,” Walton briefly mentioned his onscreen love.
“Thank you, Aimee Lou, for being my partner … a journey I will never forget,” he added before giving major props to his close friend and costar, Sam Rockwell.
Aimee hinted that she and Walton were very different people when discussing how he skipped watching the finale with her and numerous other costars in Los Angeles on April 6.
“I was sad that Walton wasn’t there because it was something that we did together but also it’s so f–king Rick and Chelsea,” Aimee told The Hollywood Reporter.
“Like, of course Walton had to watch it alone and of course I had to watch it in the group because there is so much Aimee in Chelsea and so much Walton in Rick,” she added.
It turned out Walton didn’t watch it alone, as he shared on April 7 that he watched the White Lotus season finale with costar and friend Michelle Monaghan, who played Jaclyn Lemon in the hit series.
Aimee told The Hollywood Reporter that she was relieved that her journey as Chelsea has finally played out on screen and was happy to let the character go, believing Walton felt the same.
“I think both of us are feeling a similar thing today of, ‘OK I can let go of the parts of this character, of Chelsea, that have been holding me back and I can grow up in the way that Chelsea couldn’t.’ And at the same time, all the bits that I love about her, I can take with me,” she told the publication.
“So, there’s this weird feeling today of rebirth, and I’m sure that Walton feels the same about Rick because it’s like, whatever the f–k was going on in him, that was Rick, and he can let go of it now. Like Chelsea says, ‘You’re free. It’s a new day.’ And it’s true. It feels like today is the first new day that I’ve had in a very long time,” Aimee added.
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