This girl has been hated for her body and felt ‘ugly.’ Today, at 31, she’s a top star but still gets moc*ked for her teeth

The public figure, dissatisfied with her appearance, felt detached from her body for most of her life. Despite her better self-image, she is still startled by how many people comment on her teeth. The star has struggled with body image since her early infancy. She was born in Stockport, Greater Manchester, and has battled acute shyness and an eating issue since the age of 16.

Personal issues were not the only challenges she faced. With a mother who worked at Childline and a father who sold cars while battling addiction, she grew up in an unstable household. In an interview from April 2025, the actress revealed:

“I was nearly silent and very socially apprehensive. I couldn’t sit down for a meal. My mother had to leave food around the house for me to nibble on. Now I know what it was: neurodivergence.

As she grew older, her bewilderment became even more intense. She couldn’t understand why chores that were easy for others were so difficult for her and why things others battled with came effortlessly.

“I got diagnosed a few years ago with ADHD with autistic traits,” she told me, “but then it was suggested that I go for an autism assessment.” They believe that autism may be driving the charge, with ADHD serving as a byproduct of the masking.

As life at home got increasingly challenging, new obstacles arose at school. Following her parents’ breakup, the future star’s stepfather enrolled her in a private school.

Bull*ying and unhappiness were frequent in her environment. “I remember the day in year seven when I made the strategic decision to change,” she said in another interview. During a theater class game of frozen tag, an instructor gave her a simple nod: “Do it.”

At that moment, she realized that she faced a crucial decision. I can either continue as I am and be miserable, or I can stand up and play a humorous role that will make others laugh.” She took a risk, and to her amazement, it worked—perhaps too well.

Her willingness to embrace comedy offered her new opportunities, leading her to a career in acting. Following her graduation from RADA, she received her first television role as Aimee Gibbs in the popular Netflix comedy “Se*x Education.”

Her character’s stories in season three focused on personal emancipation and dealing with the emotional reperc*ussions. She recounted in another interview:

“I recall feeling quite exposed after ‘Se*x Education.’” I’d feel better if we’d all gotten our boobs out. It seemed like I was the one who had done the weirdest things.”

However, the popularity that followed brought additional challenges. As the show’s viewership surpassed 50 million, she became unhappy off-screen, frequently dressing in weird, ugly clothing—if she went out at all. Struggling with body image once more, the star began covering up, dese*xualizing herself, and denying her desire to be confident and attractive.

This unease continued into her working life. While preparing for her role in the musical “Cabaret,” rehearsals went well—acting and singing came easily—but dancing proved more difficult.

“I felt so humil*iated. At theater school, I was frequently admonished that I was moving my body incorrectly. So when I stepped into a practice where I had to express myself physically, I felt like I was going to cry. “I dislike feeling awkward in my own body,” she said, adding:

“Having eating issues definitely contributes to this.” Your body takes on the characteristics of an adversary. When I was suffering from eating disorders, I felt separated from my body, as if I were looking at it from outside.

Her unease eventually kept her inside. Leaving the house became infrequent as the stress of being recognized everywhere took its toll. She once explained:

“If you’ve been bul*lied as a kid, like I was at school, the feeling of being noticed wherever you go… it was not healthy for me.”

Fans’ interactions varied—some requested photos, some discreetly videotaped her on the tube, and many wanted to share personal anecdotes following the second season of “Sex Education.” Overwhelmed and in a constant state of conflict, she made the decision to remain at home for an extended period.

Although friends visited her in the evenings and she still managed to work early in the mornings, ordinary activities like shopping or walking down the street made her feel nervous.

She frequently felt as if she was failing individuals who approached her, that she was not providing enough. However, after time and treatment, the actress realized that she was merely trying to go about her day and was not an expert but rather an ordinary person.

During this phase of growth, Aimee Lou Wood expressed an emotion that had haunted her for most of her life. She explained that, because of her past with eating disorders and body dysmorphia, she frequently “felt like a floating head”—a mind full of ideas but divorced from her body owing to intense self-hatred, a sensation she is glad to no longer have.

Wood, who also suffered from anor*exia and bul*imia, now views her mental health as part of her reality, not an abstract idea. “I’m like, ‘No, accept the brain that you’ve got and now start living for that truth.’”

She identified herself as having a variety of mental diseases and feels that being mentally sick is perfectly normal. A psychic’s counsel—that as long as she stays in reality, the world is her oyster—keeps her grounded.

However, underlying anxieties persist. The 31-year-old remembers working on “The White Lotus,” when a producer noted how hard Mike White had worked to cast her. Although the statement was made with good intentions, she couldn’t stop thinking about it.

“HBO didn’t want me. And I know why HBO didn’t want me; it’s because I’m ugly. Mike had to say, ‘Please let me have the ugly girl!’”

Even as her career progressed, she found it increasingly difficult to avoid the spotlight on her attractiveness. Discussions over Wood’s teeth quickly became tedious, despite their initial praise as a refreshing alternative to Hollywood’s fixation with beauty.

Although she appreciated the rebellious message it conveyed, the constant attention caused her to feel diminished to just her appearance. The English native, whose Stockport accent has been ridiculed, once stated:

“The whole conversation is just about my teeth, and it makes me a bit sad because I’m not getting to talk about my work.”

She admits to feeling dejected, wondering why such scrutiny occurred and whether somebody would have had the same fixation with beauty.

The concern over her looks spread to a larger audience. A spoof on “Saturday Night Live” recently criticized Wood’s teeth, depicting her “White Lotus” persona with huge artificial teeth and a slurred British accent. Despite receiving apologies from the show’s cast and managing to smile, the act apparently disturbed her.

Despite the public attention, Wood continues to be honest about her insecurities. In an earlier interview, she admitted that her worries about her teeth were a barrier she created in her mind, not something that actually cost her roles.

Auditioning for theater had always felt simpler, but watching the polished grins on platforms like Netflix made her doubt herself. Over time, words from fans who shared her content influenced her perspective. She thanked Georgia May Jagger, whose popularity showed her that having big teeth could be viewed as attractive rather than uncomfortable.

As her confidence rose, Wood became more upfront about embracing her natural looks. During a March 2025 visit on “The Jonathan Ross Show,” she stated, “I can’t believe the impact my teeth are having.” Hearing orthodontists tell her she didn’t need to adjust anything felt “lovely,” like coming full circle after years of torm*ent.

Beyond that, Wood has also been vocal about keeping her appearance natural. She opposes Botox, explaining that while others are free to choose for themselves, her own career depends on the ability to move her face. “So, I can’t start freezing my face. It needs to move,” she joked.

@voguemagazine #AimeeLouWood‘s claim to fame? Her facial expressions, of course. Tap the link in bio to hear #TheWhiteLotus star on the latest episode of Vogue’s #TheRunThrough, where she discusses shooting in #Thailand, her fellow #cast ♬ original sound – Vogue

Through years of personal problems, Wood has learned to appreciate every aspect of herself, from her body image issues to the characteristics that used to make her feel different. Her path demonstrates the strength of choosing honesty above perfection.

Whether speaking about mental health or standing against unrealistic beauty standards, she continues to carve out a space defined by honesty. In doing so, Wood reminds others that there is beauty in simply being real.