Drama is brewing behind the scenes of The White Lotus, and it’s not just in the script.
Fans of the HBO Max hit series have picked up on some tension between co-stars Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood — and it all started with a curious unfollow on Instagram.
The two actors, who played a couple on the show, are no longer following each other, and it didn’t take long for internet sleuths to suspect something might be up.
But what really set things off was a controversial Saturday Night Live sketch — one that left Aimee in tears and fans questioning whether Walton’s response to it crossed a line.
SNL Sketch Mocking Aimee’s Smile Ignites Backlash
Aimee Lou Wood was visibly upset after SNL aired a parody sketch titled The White POTUS, spoofing political figures in a White Lotus-style setting.
In the skit, her character was portrayed with exaggerated buck teeth, turning her signature smile into the butt of a joke.
The moment struck a nerve. Aimee took to social media, saying while she loves satire and self-deprecating humor, this one felt “lazy and cruel.”
She wrote, “Yes, take the p**s for sure — that’s what the show is about — but there must be a cleverer, more nuanced, less cheap way?”
Thousands of fans flooded her inbox with supportive messages — including one from her sister Emily — while others echoed her sentiment that the joke didn’t feel fair.
One fan nailed the sentiment, saying the skit was “sharp and funny until it suddenly took a screeching turn into 1970s misogyny.”
Aimee reposted that comment with the caption: “This sums up my view.”
Goggins Caught Laughing at the Clip, Fans React Swiftly
Adding fuel to the fire, Walton Goggins was spotted liking the video of the sketch on social media.
He even commented, “Hahahahahhahaha Amazzzingggg,” which left fans wondering if he was laughing at the whole sketch or specifically at the part targeting Aimee.
Either way, the timing and tone didn’t sit right with viewers, especially considering how hurt Aimee clearly was.
Some took it as a betrayal, while others chalked it up to poor judgment.
Regardless, the fallout was immediate — and fans began digging into Walton’s past.
Old Photos and Past Interviews Put Goggins’ Smile in the Spotlight
With Aimee being publicly mocked for her natural teeth, fans began pointing out the irony — Walton Goggins himself has had a long and well-documented journey with dental work, yet has largely avoided ridicule.
In a 2016 appearance on Conan, Goggins opened up about losing his front teeth twice in his childhood.
First, during a baseball accident in 5th grade, and again a year later when he hit the bottom of a swimming pool.
“Literally, my two front teeth were on the ground next to me,” he said.
Since then, his teeth have visibly changed over the years, and now that he’s starring in major shows, fans say it’s clear he’s had cosmetic upgrades — which, ironically, have never been the butt of a joke.
Podcast Host Shades Goggins’ “Fake Teeth” on Air
Maureen Callahan didn’t hold back during an episode of On The Nerve, where she called out Goggins’ dental work, saying he had “fake teeth but not good fake teeth” during his early Justified days.
She added that his current smile fits his face better and speculated that the improvements may have come as his Hollywood profile grew.
The takeaway? If we’re mocking actors for their appearance, why is one being singled out over the other?
Aimee Gets Support and Even an Apology
Despite the online drama, there’s been a silver lining. Aimee shared a sweet moment on her Instagram Story, revealing that SNL cast member Sarah Sherman — the one who portrayed her character in the sketch — sent her a beautiful bouquet of flowers.
Aimee was quick to clarify that her issue wasn’t with Sherman personally. “I wasn’t hating on her — I was hating on the sketch,” she wrote.
The gesture seemed to ease some of the hurt, especially as the sketch stirred so much debate about the line between humor and cruelty.
Fan Art Suggests the Ice Might Be Thawing
In a surprising twist, Aimee later posted a fan drawing of her and Goggins in their White Lotus characters. There was no caption — but the image said plenty.
Some fans took it as a peace offering, or at least a sign that things may not be as tense as they seemed.
And with reports swirling that the duo are due to reunite professionally soon, it looks like they might be patching things up — or at least putting the drama aside to keep things civil.
Rumors of a Reunion Stir Behind the Scenes
Entertainment reporter Elizabeth Wagmeister dropped a bit of gossip on The Viall Files podcast, saying she’d heard “off the record” that Walton and Aimee are set to work together again in the coming weeks.
“If there really is a feud, this hasn’t stopped them,” she explained.
“It’s not like they can’t be in the same room.”
Compared to other co-star showdowns — like the rumored tension between Blake Lively and Justin Baldoni — this one might be more of a cold front than a full-blown storm.
Goggins Set to Host SNL Amid the Controversy
Walton Goggins is gearing up to host an upcoming Saturday Night Live episode — and yes, that’s happening just as the controversy around the last sketch is still buzzing.
Some are calling the timing awkward, others see it as an opportunity for the show to redeem itself.
Whether Goggins will address the drama during his hosting gig remains to be seen, but there’s no doubt all eyes will be on him — and on whether Aimee will show support or stay silent.
A Showdown Over Smiles Turns Into a Bigger Conversation
What started as an awkward joke has now sparked a broader conversation: How we talk about appearances, who gets mocked in comedy, and where the line is between funny and mean.
For now, both Aimee Lou Wood and Walton Goggins are staying mostly quiet, but their fans — and critics — definitely aren’t.
As The White Lotus stars navigate this public fallout, one thing’s clear: sometimes, the real drama happens off-screen.