Bowen Yang Says Aimee Lou Wood’s Reaction to ‘White Lotus’ Spoof Was “Completely Valid”

Bowen Yang is backing Aimee Lou Wood after her strong reaction to Saturday Night Live’s parody of her White Lotus character. The “White POTUS” sketch aired on April 12 and featured a caricatured version of Wood’s character Chelsea, portrayed with exaggerated fake teeth and a heightened British accent. The sketch primarily spoofed Donald Trump and his political allies, but Wood’s inclusion struck a nerve with both fans and the actress herself.

In a new interview, Yang acknowledged the backlash and said her feelings were entirely justified. “With parody, you kind of forget the human, emotional cost that it can have on someone,” he said. Yang emphasized that even though the intention behind the sketch wasn’t malicious, it’s important for comedians to recognize when a line has been crossed — even unintentionally.

He also noted that everyone at SNL is a fan of Wood and her work on The White Lotus, praising her performance and describing the season as “water cooler television” that sparked widespread conversation. Yang added that conversations have already taken place between Wood and the SNL team, and he hopes there’s space for everyone to move forward.

The spoof aired during a politically charged episode centered around a fictional version of Donald Trump’s presidency. While much of the focus was on political satire, the inclusion of Wood’s character — and the way she was portrayed — raised questions about where parody ends and ridicule begins.

Yang concluded by saying it’s not about censorship or political correctness, but about understanding that comedy exists within culture — and culture includes accountability. “Parody can go too far sometimes,” he said. “And we, as comedians, have to take account for that.”