Aimee Lou Wood Found Strength in Her White Lotus Character While Dealing with Body Dysmorphia During Filming
In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, actress Aimee Lou Wood opened up about how embodying her character Chelsea in HBO’s The White Lotus helped her face body dysmorphia that resurfaced during filming. The 31-year-old shared that preparing to appear in a bikini brought back old insecurities from her teenage years.
"I shook myself out of it by thinking, 'It’s not about whether Aimee wants to show her body or not – Chelsea does,'"
Wood explained that viewing the situation through her character’s lens allowed her to separate herself from personal doubts. The experience reminded her of one of the reasons she loves acting: stepping into another identity can offer strength and perspective.
She acknowledged that leaving a role behind can take time, but she values the personal insights gained through each performance. According to the Mayo Clinic, body dysmorphia is a mental health condition characterized by obsessive focus on perceived flaws in one’s appearance. For Wood, channeling Chelsea became a meaningful way to overcome those thoughts and regain confidence.
Author’s Summary
Through her role in The White Lotus, Aimee Lou Wood transformed personal struggle into empowerment, using her character’s confidence to silence self-doubt and embrace body acceptance.