Saturday Night Live star Sarah Sherman has publicly expressed regret for her recent impersonation of Aimee Lou Wood, the beloved The White Lotus actress. After drawing criticism for her sketch portrayal, Sherman admitted feeling “terrible” about offending Wood and has since sent flowers as a peace offering.

What Sparked the Sarah Sherman and Aimee Lou Wood SNL Controversy?

The controversy began when Sarah Sherman performed a parody of Aimee Lou Wood’s character Chelsea from The White Lotus Season 3 in the SNL sketch titled “The White POTUS.” The parody mixed political satire with a humorous take on Chelsea, featuring exaggerated buck teeth and accent—elements Wood later criticized as “mean and unfunny.”

In a candid interview with Vanity Fair, Sherman said, “I was excited to play her because she’s so iconic, her character is so iconic, and I f—ing obviously never meant to hurt anyone’s feelings. Never in a million years did I get into comedy to make anyone upset. I feel terrible that anyone would feel bad.”

Aimee Lou Wood’s Reaction to the SNL Impression

Aimee Lou Wood took to Instagram to express her honest feelings about the sketch, calling the impression “mean and unfunny” and noting, “At least get the accent right seriously, I respect accuracy even if it’s mean.” Wood, known for her role in Sex Education and The White Lotus, also revealed how exhausted she is of people commenting on her teeth.

She clarified her stance, urging fans to support HBO and criticizing SNL for what she perceived as a “cheap” comedic approach. Despite her critique, Wood acknowledged the importance of satire but called for “a cleverer, more nuanced” method.

How Did SNL Respond?

Following Wood’s public comments, Sarah Sherman sent flowers as an apology, which Wood shared on Instagram alongside the note that SNL had apologized for the impression. Sherman’s gesture was widely supported by fans and followers, with Wood receiving thousands of messages backing her stance.

What This Means for Celebrity Impersonations on SNL

This incident highlights the delicate balance sketch comedy shows like SNL must maintain when parodying beloved celebrities. It also underscores the impact these portrayals can have on the real people behind the characters.