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 in the HBO series The White Lotus helped her confront body dysmorphia during filming, in an interview with Harper's Bazaar.
“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.
The 31-year-old actress opened up about the challenges she faced, explaining that having to film scenes in a bikini brought back the body dysmorphia she experienced as a teenager.
The Mayo Clinic defines body dysmorphia as a mental health condition where people obsess over perceived flaws in their appearance.
Wood overcame these feelings by adopting her character’s mindset, which helped boost her confidence throughout the filming process.
“It’s precisely what I enjoy about my job,” Wood said, admitting she often needs time to detach from a character but values the personal growth it brings.
Her experience highlights how performing can be a source of empowerment and healing.
Author’s summary: Aimee Lou Wood credited playing Chelsea on The White Lotus with helping her overcome body dysmorphia, using her character’s confidence to face her own struggles during filming.