Amy Lowood Receives SNL Apology Over Controversial Parody
Amy Lowood, a breakout star from the acclaimed HBO series The White Lotus, recently revealed that the producers of Saturday Night Live (SNL) extended an apology following a spoof that aired on their show. The segment received criticism for its portrayal of characters, leading to backlash from the actress.
Details of the SNL Sketch
The sketch, titled “The White Potus,” was a comedic take on the hit series created by Mike White. It reimagined characters from the third season, placing them in a fictional context involving former President Donald Trump and his administration. James Austin Johnson portrayed Trump, mimicking the character of Timothy Ratliff, originally played by Jason Isaacs.
Reactions and Clarifications
During the episode, host Jon Hamm portrayed a character based on Robert F. Kennedy Jr., sharing the screen with characters played by Walter Goggins and Sarah Sherman, who embodied Chelsea, representing Lowood’s character. Following the sketch, Lowood addressed her feelings through social media, clarifying earlier speculation regarding her reactions to the parody. She expressed a mix of emotions, stating, “In an honest mood, I found the meaning of SNL and the unnatural XO,” and indicated the possibility of deleting her posts later.
Lowood, 31, responded to numerous messages from fans who also found the sketch to be in poor taste, sharing her thoughts in a follow-up post: “That kind of embarrassment (because it was a great time to see it a few weeks ago,” she stated, emphasizing her appreciation for the opportunity to discuss it.
She humorously remarked on the British accent Sherman’s character used in the sketch, stating, “At least, take your accent seriously. Even if it’s mean, I respect accuracy,” accompanied by a laughing emoji.
Subsequent Developments
About an hour after her initial comments, Lowood shared another Instagram story confirming that she had received an apology from SNL regarding the sketch. However, she did not specify who within the show had reached out to her. Hollywood Reporter has since sought additional comments from SNL regarding the matter.
Reflections on Her Character
In an interview that followed the season finale, Lowood shared her experience navigating the responses regarding her portrayal of Chelsea. “You can let go of this Chelsea character, and it holds me down and grows in ways that Chelsea couldn’t,” she explained. Reflecting on the emotional journey, she stated, “And at the same time, every bit I like about her, I can take with me. So there’s this strange feeling of rebirth today… I feel that today is the first new day I’ve had for such a long time.”