Aimee Lou Wood Slams SNL Over 'The White Potus' Sketch as Walton Goggins Praises It: Feud Rumors Fly

The April 12, 2025, episode of Saturday Night Live has stirred up unexpected drama among The White Lotus cast after a parody sketch titled “The White Potus” drew mixed reactions. While fans laughed at the political reimagining of HBO’s hit series, star Aimee Lou Wood did not find it funny — and made her feelings clear. Adding fuel to the fire, her co-star Walton Goggins publicly supported the sketch, igniting rumors of a feud between the two actors.

In the controversial SNL parody, comedian Sarah Sherman portrayed a character named “Chelsea,” an exaggerated version of Wood’s White Lotus character, complete with oversized prosthetic teeth and a caricatured Mancunian accent.

Wood responded to the sketch with disappointment, telling Vanity Fair:

“I understand satire — I love satire. But this just felt like a personal attack. I wasn’t playing a political figure. I was the only one in that sketch who was just… me, being mocked.”

She went on to express that the parody was less about poking fun and more about punching down:

“It felt cruel. Not clever, not insightful. Just mean and unfunny.”

Her comments gained traction across social media, with fans rallying behind her and criticizing the show for what many.

Following the backlash, Saturday Night Live reportedly reached out to Wood privately to offer an apology. Though no official statement has been released, a source close to the production told El País:

“They didn’t expect the reaction. It was never meant to 

In a twist that caught fans off guard, The White Lotus co-star Walton Goggins not only praised the sketch — he amplified it. Goggins reposted the parody on his Instagram Stories and commented “Amazzzingggg” on SNL’s official Instagram post.

He even made light of Jon Hamm’s portrayal of his character, writing:

“Hamm nailed it — I feel seen!”

This stark contrast in reactions led fans to speculate about a behind-the-scenes rift between the two actors.

Fans have noticed that Wood and Goggins haven’t followed each other on social media, nor have they tagged or posted about each other since the White Lotus Season 3 finale.

On Reddit and Twitter, theories emerged quickly:

“Something’s definitely up. Aimee looked teary-eyed in those paparazzi shots. Goggins hyping up the skit feels like a low blow,” one Reddit user

 

Amid rising speculation, fellow cast member Jason Isaacs stepped in to defend both actors and quell rumors:

“People love drama, but they don’t know what goes on behind the scenes. There’s no feud, just different takes on comedy and public response.”

Still, fans remain skeptical — and social media continues to buzz.

Whether or not there’s actual tension between Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins, the incident highlights the complex relationship between satire, celebrity, and public perception. While Goggins laughed along with SNL, Wood felt singled out and mocked. The controversy may fade, but it raises a lasting question: when does parody cross the line?