In a candid interview with Harper’s Bazaar, actress Aimee Lou Wood opened up about how portraying her character in The White Lotus helped her confront body dysmorphia during production.
The 31-year-old actress, who played Chelsea in the acclaimed HBO series, explained that shooting scenes in a bikini resurfaced the body image issues she had faced as a teenager. However, embodying her confident character allowed her to rise above those doubts.
“I shook myself out of it by thinking, ‘It’s not about whether Aimee wants to show her body or not – Chelsea does,’”
— Aimee Lou Wood, Harper’s Bazaar
According to the Mayo Clinic, body dysmorphia is a mental health disorder where a person fixates on perceived flaws in their appearance. For Wood, reconnecting with her role offered a way to quiet the intrusive thoughts tied to that condition.
Wood shared that while it often takes time for her to fully detach from a role, she values the emotional growth that comes from stepping into another person’s mindset. This process, she said, continues to empower both her craft and her confidence.
Author’s summary: Aimee Lou Wood overcame resurfacing body dysmorphia during The White Lotus filming by channeling her character’s courage and separating her personal insecurities from the role she played.