Aimee Lou Wood Finds Support from Angelina Jolie on ‘Anxious People’ Set
Aimee Lou Wood shared how she has grown more confident in speaking up, including an episode involving the “mean and unfunny” 'Saturday Night Live' (SNL) impression of her. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the star of The White Lotus and Sex Education recounted a tense moment during the filming of Anxious People, directed by Marc Forster and co-starring Angelina Jolie.
Challenges on Set and Finding Her Voice
While filming a sensitive scene, Lou Wood became overwhelmed by crew members shouting conflicting directions. She requested calm on set, asking for “one direction, one voice, and no hand movements in her line of sight.”
“I’ve spent years feeling unable to say anything like that for fear of seeming argumentative – but now I feel like I can take ownership of what I need to thrive, and tell people what won’t work for me,” Lou Wood said. “When I spoke up, all I could see was Angelina giving me a thumbs up. She’s possibly the most famous woman ever, but she’s so normal.”
Reflecting on the SNL Parody
Lou Wood also described the relief she felt after confronting the cast of SNL. The April sketch parodied the Thailand-set third season of The White Lotus, with Sarah Sherman portraying Wood’s character, Chelsea, wearing exaggerated buck teeth. This impression followed Wood’s public frustration over constant remarks about her own teeth.
She compared this moment to “breaking a pattern” of not standing up to childhood bullies, marking a turning point in her confidence.
Summary
Aimee Lou Wood’s experience highlights the importance of advocating for oneself in challenging environments, with Angelina Jolie’s support serving as an empowering example.