Aimee Lou Wood, best known for her roles in *The White Lotus* and *Sex Education*, recently shared how Angelina Jolie supported her during a challenging moment on the set of the film *Anxious People*. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Lou Wood recounted her struggle to assert herself while filming an emotional scene, revealing the importance of speaking up for her needs.
During the shoot, Lou Wood became overwhelmed as crew members shouted directions. She expressed her discomfort by requesting a single voice to guide her, free from distracting hand movements. “I’ve spent years feeling unable to say anything like that for fear of seeming argumentative,” she stated. “But now I feel like I can take ownership of what I need to thrive, and tell people what won’t work for me.”
In a moment that resonated deeply, Lou Wood noted that she could see Jolie giving her a thumbs up, emphasizing that despite being one of the world’s most famous actresses, Jolie’s demeanor was refreshingly normal. This experience contributed to Lou Wood’s sense of empowerment, paralleling her recent intervention regarding a parody of her character on *Saturday Night Live*.
Breaking Patterns and Overcoming Challenges
Lou Wood described her SNL experience as a cathartic moment, comparing it to breaking free from the patterns of childhood bullying. In an April sketch, the cast used a parody of the Thailand-set *White Lotus* Season 3 to poke fun at her character, Chelsea. The portrayal, featuring comedian Sarah Sherman, included exaggerated physical traits that Lou Wood had previously mentioned made her feel exhausted.
“Hollywood has challenged my mental health,” she admitted. “I find LA emotionally bulimic, and I say that as an ex-bulimic. It is this super-sized adventure where everyone’s talking about you all the time and you have to talk about yourself all the time. And then I leave, and I want to throw it all up.”
Lou Wood’s recent casting as Pattie Boyd in Sam Mendes’ upcoming project, *The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event*, adds to her growing list of notable roles. Her most recent film, *Anxious People*, directed by Marc Forster, features a compelling storyline. It revolves around investment banker Zara, played by Jolie, who finds herself mingling with strangers at an open house just before Christmas Eve. The plot thickens when a reluctant bank robber, portrayed by Lou Wood, inadvertently takes the group hostage, leading to unexpected chaos and revelations.
Lou Wood’s journey illustrates an important narrative about self-advocacy in the demanding landscape of Hollywood. Her experiences resonate with many who navigate the complexities of self-expression and mental health within the entertainment industry.
