During the promotional tour and early weeks of "The White Lotus" season 3, Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood—who play the show's most beloved couple, Chelsea and Rick—publicly praised each other, describing their on-screen and off-screen bond as genuine and intense. However, just before the HBO Max series aired its dramatic finale, the dynamic between the two stars appeared to shift.
Fans were quick to notice that Goggins and Wood had unfollowed each other on Instagram, sparking speculation about a possible rift. Observers also pointed out that Goggins stopped tagging Wood in his posts, even when sharing behind-the-scenes photos featuring her, and that Wood's previous comments on his feed had disappeared—suggesting she may have been blocked.
The social media fallout ignited widespread discussion among "The White Lotus" fans, who had become invested in the pair's on-screen relationship, especially after the season's tragic ending.
Rumors intensified when some speculated that Goggins' wife, writer-director Nadia Conners, may have played a role in the alleged conflict, with theories circulating about a possible affair during the seven-month shoot in Thailand. While neither Goggins nor Wood has publicly addressed the rumors, the tension became more apparent after Goggins publicly praised a Saturday Night Live sketch that mocked Wood's appearance—a move that Wood called "mean and unfunny."
With weeks of subtle clues now followed by more concrete evidence, the off-screen drama between Goggins and Wood continues to fuel speculation and dominate fan conversations online.
.
The SNL effect
Last Saturday, SNL (Saturday Night Live) took inspiration from the final episode of the HBO Max series to create a skit criticizing the administration of US President Donald Trump and other highly controversial political episodes taking place in the country.
Wood's character, played by Sarah Sherman, featured exaggerated teeth compared to those of the actress, who rose to fame in the series "The Sex Education." At one point in the skit, the phrase "Fluoride, what is that?" is used in reference to government efforts to halt programs that put the mineral in the water supply of American cities to reduce dental problems. But the actress's protruding teeth were also singled out.
Wood criticized the show for the unnecessary mockery. "I love being teased, I love being a cartoon, I find it funny, but do it with more intelligence and subtlety," she wrote. She later reported that the NBC show's production had written to apologize.
What no one expected was that Goggins would repost the video of the skit that had hurt her "friend."
Aimee Lou's cry
To top it all off, shortly after Goggins reposted the video (which, by the way, she deleted overnight), paparazzi caught the actress crying on the streets of London. The press attributed it to her clash with SNL; but TikTok is convinced it was due to her former co-star's social media post.
In a clear sign that she's aware of everything that's going on and isn't going to stay silent, Wood also addressed the issue this morning, saying, "Thank you for the concern. I wasn't crying over anything the press said."
The big question is whether this is all a soap opera fantasy or whether something really happened between these two actors who seemed to be best friends. Although we usually never find out what really goes on in the private lives of celebrities, fans are hopeful that Aimee Lou Wood will continue to comment on everything and spill some interesting details... for now, we just have to wait and see.
