Aimee Lou Wood Found Strength in Her White Lotus Character While Dealing with Body Dysmorphia During Filming
Aimee Lou Wood shared how embodying her character Chelsea from the HBO series The White Lotus helped her confront body dysmorphia she experienced during filming.
Confronting Body Dysmorphia
Wood, 31, opened up in an interview with Harper's Bazaar about the challenges she faced filming scenes in a bikini, which triggered memories of body dysmorphia she struggled with as a teenager. The Mayo Clinic defines body dysmorphia as a mental health condition where a person obsessively thinks about perceived flaws in their appearance.
"I shook myself out of it by thinking, 'It’s not about whether Aimee wants to show her body or not – Chelsea does,'" Wood told Harper's Bazaar.
Finding Empowerment Through Acting
By adopting her character's mindset, Wood was able to overcome negative thoughts and build confidence. She explained that while shedding a role can take time, she ultimately values the personal growth acting offers.
"It’s precisely what I enjoy about my job," Wood added.
Playing Chelsea empowered Wood in ways beyond the screen, helping her face and manage her insecurities.
Author's summary: Aimee Lou Wood used her role in The White Lotus to overcome teenage body dysmorphia, finding strength and confidence through her character's perspective during filming.