Aimee Lou Wood recently opened up about the support she received from Angelina Jolie while filming the upcoming feature Anxious People. In an interview with Harper’s Bazaar, the star of The White Lotus and Sex Education recounted her experience of asserting herself on set, particularly during a challenging emotional scene.
While filming, Lou Wood felt overwhelmed by the multiple voices giving her directions. In a moment of clarity, she expressed her need for a single directive, stating, “one direction, one voice, and no hand movements in my line of sight.” This request marked a significant shift for Lou Wood, who admitted that she had struggled in the past to voice her needs for fear of appearing confrontational. She reflected, “I’ve spent years feeling unable to say anything like that… now I feel like I can take ownership of what I need to thrive.”
As she spoke up, Lou Wood noticed Jolie giving her an encouraging thumbs up. “She’s possibly the most famous woman ever, but she’s so normal,” Lou Wood said, highlighting the unexpected camaraderie she felt with her co-star.
Lou Wood drew parallels between this moment and her recent experience on Saturday Night Live, where she confronted a portrayal of her character that she found offensive. During an April sketch, the cast parodied The White Lotus, depicting her character Chelsea in an unflattering light. This incident contributed to her desire to “break a pattern” of not standing up to bullying.
Reflecting on her experiences in Hollywood, Lou Wood described the environment in Los Angeles as “emotionally bulimic,” a sentiment she shared as someone who has battled bulimia in the past. She elaborated, “It is this super-sized adventure where everyone’s talking about you all the time and you have to talk about yourself all the time. And then I leave, and I want to throw it all up.”
Looking ahead, Lou Wood is set to portray Pattie Boyd in Sam Mendes’ upcoming project, The Beatles — A Four-Film Cinematic Event. The casting was first reported by Deadline, which also provided a synopsis for Anxious People. The film centers on an investment banker, Zara, played by Jolie, who finds herself in an unexpected situation when a reluctant bank robber, Grace (played by Lou Wood), inadvertently takes a group of strangers hostage the day before Christmas Eve. The chaotic events that follow lead to revelations and unanticipated interactions among the characters.
Lou Wood’s journey reflects the challenges faced by many in the entertainment industry, as she navigates her career while advocating for her mental health and personal boundaries. As she continues to find her voice, her experiences resonate with a broader audience seeking empowerment in their own lives.