Aimee Lou Wood, acclaimed for her role as Chelsea in The White Lotus Season 3, has opened up about how embodying her character empowered her to confront and overcome long-standing struggles with body dysmorphia. In a candid interview with Harper’s Bazaar, Wood revealed the profound ways acting has intersected with her personal mental health journey.
Rediscovering Confidence Through Chelsea
While filming The White Lotus, Wood found herself revisiting old anxieties, especially when she learned she’d be appearing in a bikini scene. “Knowing I had to film in a bikini brought back body dysmorphia I’d experienced as a teenager,” Wood explained. Body dysmorphia, as defined by the Mayo Clinic, is a mental condition in which someone can’t stop thinking about perceived flaws in their appearance—often leading to embarrassment and social withdrawal.
However, Wood managed to reframe her thoughts by stepping fully into her character’s shoes. “I shook myself out of it by thinking, ‘It’s not about whether Aimee wants to show her body or not – Chelsea does,'” she shared. This subtle but powerful shift allowed her to overcome personal fear and embrace Chelsea’s confidence and authenticity on screen.
Acting As Therapy
Wood’s revelations underscore how the art of acting can be a tool for healing and self-discovery. She reflected, “Acting has always been a safe place for me to work out my feelings. For that reason, a role will hit me in the heart, in the gut.” This process, she says, helps her gain new perspectives and strength through her characters, even if it sometimes makes it harder to “shed” a role once filming wraps.
A Lifelong Journey with Mental Health
This is not the first time Wood has addressed her mental health struggles publicly. She has previously dealt with bulimia, social anxiety, and was diagnosed with ADHD in 2025. Acting, Wood says, has helped shift her mindset: “I don’t need everyone to understand me. The people that get me, get me. The anxiety and feelings of inadequacy come from trying to meet other people’s expectations, but what’s so moving is that when I unmask, other people do too.”
Wood’s openness about her experiences has resonated with fans, shining a spotlight on the pressures actors face in the industry and the universal challenge of loving one’s body. Her journey through The White Lotus is not just another acting accolade, but a testament to growth, courage, and the importance of mental health conversations in showbiz today.
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