Aimee Lou Wood Shares Support from Angelina Jolie on 'Anxious People' Set
Aimee Lou Wood opened up about gaining confidence to express her needs during filming, highlighting support from Angelina Jolie. The White Lotus and Sex Education actress recounted an experience on the set of Anxious People, directed by Marc Forster and featuring Jolie as a co-star.
Addressing Unhelpful Set Conditions
While filming an emotional scene, Wood felt overwhelmed by shouting crew members giving conflicting directions. She asked for a single clear direction, a single voice, and no hand movements blocking her view.
“I’ve spent years feeling unable to say anything like that for fear of seeming argumentative – but now I feel like I can take ownership of what I need to thrive, and tell people what won’t work for me.”
During this moment of vulnerability, Wood noticed Angelina Jolie giving her a thumbs up, which helped her feel supported and grounded.
“When I spoke up, all I could see was Angelina giving me a thumbs up. She’s possibly the most famous woman ever, but she’s so normal.”
Reclaiming Her Voice Beyond the Set
Wood also described how she has been learning to stand up for herself after challenging a “mean and unfunny” parody of her on Saturday Night Live. She compared this to breaking a childhood pattern of avoiding confrontation with bullies.
In an April SNL sketch that spoofed the Thailand-set third season of The White Lotus, Wood’s character Chelsea was mocked with exaggerated buck teeth by Sarah Sherman. This impression followed Wood’s candid admission about being tired of discussing her own teeth.
“The impression came after I expressed how exhausted I am of talking about my teeth.”
Summary
Aimee Lou Wood's story illustrates her journey to confidently voice her needs on set and beyond, finding encouragement from Angelina Jolie and learning to confront past challenges.
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