Aimee Lou Wood on Overcoming Body Dysmorphia Through Acting
Aimee Lou Wood is an English actress and writer known for her work on stage and screen. She won the BAFTA Television Award for Best Female Comedy Performance for her role in Sex Education. Over the years, Aimee has appeared in various productions, including Film Club, Toxic Town, Daddy Issues, The Electrical Life of Louis Wain, Uncle Vanya, and Living.
Turning to Her Character for Strength
Aimee shared that playing her character Chelsea in The White Lotus helped her manage her struggle with body dysmorphia. Instead of focusing on what she wanted for herself, she concentrated on what Chelsea wanted, which she found liberating and enjoyable.
"I shook myself out of it by thinking, 'It’s not about whether Aimee wants to show her body or not – Chelsea does.' Acting has always been a safe place for me to work out my feelings. I think for that reason a role will hit me in the heart, in the gut."
Mental Health Journey
Besides body dysmorphia, Aimee battled bulimia and social anxiety during her teenage years. In early 2025, she was diagnosed with ADHD. Speaking to Radio Times in September 2025, she revealed that acting changed her mindset about mental health and helped her accept that not everyone needs to understand her experiences.
"I don’t need everyone to understand me. The people that get me, get me."
Summary
Aimee Lou Wood uses her acting roles to cope with personal challenges, finding strength and emotional release through the characters she portrays.