You know how sometimes art imitates life a little too closely? That might just be the case with White Lotus co-stars Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins.
After playing tragic lovers Rick and Chelsea on the latest season of the HBO hit series, things behind the scenes got just as dramatic — minus the actual dying part.
From Instagram Drama to Public Awkwardness
For a while, it looked like Aimee and Walton weren’t exactly on friendly terms.
Fans noticed they weren’t following each other on Instagram, which quickly sparked rumors that there was trouble between them.
Some even suspected Walton had blocked Aimee after her likes and comments mysteriously vanished from his posts.
According to Instagram’s own rules, those interactions do disappear when someone’s blocked — and they don’t come back if you unblock them.
But now, in a surprising twist, the two actors are following each other again.
So, is the feud over? Maybe. But fans are still wondering what really went down.
The Interview That Went Sideways
Things got even more heated during a recent interview Walton did with The Times.
When reporter Ed Porton brought up Aimee’s name, everything went off the rails.
Walton firmly refused to talk about her, shutting the topic down with a curt: “I’m not gonna have that conversation.”
Even his publicists were quick to jump in and steer the chat away.
But Ed pushed again — asking if Aimee might be present when Walton hosts Saturday Night Live. Walton didn’t bite.
Instead, he deflected once more, saying there was “no conversation to be had,” before finally snapping, “What the f**k, Ed! Come on buddy. Wow.” That brought the interview to a screeching halt.
That SNL Sketch and the ‘Cruel’ Smile Joke
Adding fuel to the fire, Aimee reportedly felt humiliated after a controversial SNL sketch made fun of her smile using exaggerated prosthetic teeth.
Walton didn’t help matters by liking a clip of the sketch and commenting “Hahahahahhahaha Amazzzingggg” — though it’s unclear if he was reacting to the whole skit or that specific moment.
Still, the timing didn’t look great. And according to entertainment journalist Elizabeth Wagmeister, despite the drama, the two are expected to reunite soon for another professional gig.
So, if they really are feuding, it’s not enough to keep them from working together.
Fox Emoji Theories and Flirty Throwbacks
Before all this, Walton and Aimee had a pretty cozy online relationship.
They’d comment on each other’s posts, frequently using the fox emoji — a detail that fans haven’t forgotten.
At one point, Walton called Aimee a “natural born [fox emoji] inside and out” and said she was “the brightest light in every room.”
The fox became a bit of a shared symbol. In one HBO Max video, both actors even said they’d choose to be reincarnated as foxes.
Aimee later wore a Burberry gown covered in fox motifs to the White Lotus premiere — adding another layer to the fan theories that this was their secret inside joke.
Social Media Clues Had Fans Buzzing
Despite their current follow status, fans have continued combing through social media for clues.
Reddit and X (formerly Twitter) were full of speculation when Walton posted a touching Instagram Story filled with photos of him and Aimee — all set to Fleetwood Mac’s iconic breakup anthem Silver Springs. No tags, no captions, just… vibes.
One user wrote, “Obsessed with Walton Goggins posting an 18-slide Instagram story of photos of him and Aimee Lou Wood set to Silver Springs… what happened?”
Different On-Set Approaches Led to Tension?
The emotional disconnect might have started during filming in Thailand.
Aimee described the shoot as “claustrophobic” and compared it to a Truman Show-style social experiment, saying the constant closeness blurred the lines between work and reality.
She formed close friendships with co-star Leslie Bibb and spent her downtime with the younger cast members.
Walton, on the other hand, took a method approach, isolating himself to better channel his character Rick’s intense emotions.
‘You’re No Fun’: The Boat Moment That Said It All
In a candid podcast appearance, Walton recalled a moment that summed up their dynamic.
During a cast boat trip, he separated himself from the group, overwhelmed and anxious.
Aimee eventually leaned over and said, “You know, you’re no fun.
I want to be with them,” referring to the other actors.
Walton admitted that comment actually helped him — because that was exactly how he wanted her to feel, in order to stay in character.
But whether that was just a work thing or a genuine emotional rift? That’s up for debate.
Cast Members Hint at Offscreen Drama
Other cast members, like Jason Isaacs, have hinted that the seven-month shoot wasn’t all paradise.
He called it “a cross between summer camp and Lord of the Flies in a gilded cage,” noting that while some cast members grew close, others drifted apart.
“There’s an off-screen White Lotus as well,” he told Vulture. “Fewer deaths, but just as much drama.”
So… Are They Cool Now?
Honestly? It’s still a bit of a mystery. The re-following on Instagram is a good sign.
But given how carefully both Aimee and Walton have avoided speaking publicly about each other — while fans piece together hints from interviews, red carpet outfits, and emojis — it’s safe to say this White Lotus saga isn’t over just yet.
And if their behind-the-scenes drama is even half as juicy as what happened on screen, we might be watching a real-life spin-off unfold right before our eyes.