The beginning of her life was filled with insecurity and bullying, not least because of her characteristic teeth. Despite struggling with her body image, she rose resiliently to become a well-known on-screen face. Her teeth, often a topic among fans for years, never defined her; instead, she chose to embrace her uniqueness and stayed true to herself.
Early in her childhood, the actress struggled with her body image and self-esteem. Born on February 3, 1994, in Stockport, Greater Manchester, England, she had a rough start in life, struggling with severe shyness. Her mother worked for ChildLine, and her father was a car dealer.
Growing up in an unstable home, she navigated a difficult reality early on, with her father’s addiction creating a turbulent environment. Meanwhile, she battled eating disorders.
“I was almost mute, very socially anxious. I couldn’t sit down and eat a meal. My mum had to leave food around the house and I’d have to snack around. Now I know it was neurodivergence,” she told The Sunday Times in 2025.
As she grew older, that sense of confusion only intensified. She found herself constantly questioning why simple tasks for others felt so overwhelming for her, while things others struggled with seemed to come effortlessly. However, it turned out to be a specific diagnosis that explained a lot.
“I got diagnosed a few years ago with ADHD with autistic traits,” she told The Times. “But then it’s been advised that I should go for an autism assessment. They think that maybe it’s autism that’s leading the charge, and the ADHD is almost a by-product of the masking.”
After her parents separated during her school years, her then-stepfather enrolled her at Cheadle Hulme School, a private school. At this time, her home life remained turbulent.
This star was constantly bullied and developed an eating disored
However, it was not a good match. The actress endured constant bullying, and she was deeply unhappy. For a while, she wouldn’t even leave her house.
“If you’ve been bullied as a kid, like I was at school, the feeling of being noticed wherever you go… it was not healthy for me,” she told The Guardian. “When you’re in fight-or-flight mode, you can’t really differentiate. So I stayed at home for a long time. A long time.”
Moreover, she developed an eating disorder.
“They noticed I was tiny and didn’t eat. So they kept a watchful eye on me. I was weighed a few times. I knew deep down in my heart they were completely right, but it made me angry because it meant I had to change.”
However, even though bullying was a part of her everyday life, she showed resilience and decided in the end that it would not affect her anymore.
“I can remember the day where I made the strategic choice, in year seven, to change,” she continued, explaining that while in drama class, playing freeze tag, a teacher of hers nodded at her, saying, “Do it.”
“And I remember thinking, I’m at a crossroads. I can either carry on how I am and be really miserable or I can get up and do a funny character that might make people laugh.” It worked. It worked really well, maybe too well.
Mocked for her teeth
Her drama classes became a turning point as she got older. After finishing school, she was accepted into the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art (RADA). Upon graduating, she landed her first big role in the hit Netflix series Sex Education, playing Aimee Gibbs.
Before getting the role, however, she had her doubts. Her character was originally supposed to wear braces, but one thing made her uncomfortable. She had been bullied because of her teeth when she was younger.
“I went in three times to read for Lily and I thought she suited me because she was originally supposed to wear braces. I just thought, ‘It’s a Netflix show, I’m not going to get on there with my teeth.’ But they ended up calling me back for Aimee, and she just is me,” she told Stylist.
Hollywood and show business, in large, has always had an obsession with perfection. Actors and actresses undergo plastic surgery, Botox, and other procedures in order to “fit in,” and most times, it certainly doesn’t reflect reality.
Aimee Lou Wood – a superstar and role model
But Aimee Lou Wood never let these comments define her. Even though she faced bullying for her teeth as a young person, discussions about her looks continued into her career. She has felt reduced to her appearance, as many women in entertainment do.
The prominent gap between her front teeth has been in focus for a long time, even to the point of obsession. She told GQ Magazine it has made her feel that there is something “goofy” about her, which hasn’t been “fixed.2
However, Aimee Lou Wood has never bothered to ‘fix it.’ Her resilience shines in embracing her uniqueness, becoming a role model for many. Just like Robin Williams’ character tells Will, played by Matt Damon in Good Will Hunting, about the things his late wife did that might not have been considered “perfect” to some.
“People call these things imperfections, but they’re not, aw, that’s the good stuff,” William’s character Sean told Matt Damon.
Aimee Lou Wood told GQ about her teeth, saying, “It makes me really happy that it’s symbolizing rebellion and freedom, but there’s a limit. 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. They think it’s nice because they’re not criticizing.. And, I have to go there… I don’t know if it was a man, but we would be talking about it this much? It’s still going on about a woman’s appearance.”
Won’t let ‘imperfect teeth’ define her
After Aimee Lou Wood landed a huge part in White Lotus, making her way to the top in show business, scrutiny about her teeth continued. The scrutiny escalated when, some time after her casting in White Lotus, Saturday Night Live aired a skit mocking her teeth. The skit, broadcast to millions, depicted Aimee Lou Wood with a clunky British accent and oversized teeth.
She eventually received an apology from the show’s team.
In 2020, she was asked by Stylist whether she felt her teeth had prevented her from getting certain roles. Aimee Lou Wood replied, “No, I don’t. It’s completely in my head. It’s a myth I’ve told myself. I had it in my brain that I’m not conventional-looking enough and that’s a mental barrier I’ve had to overcome.”
Aimee Lou Wood has proven herself to be an amazing actor. Perhaps most importantly, her resilience makes her a role model for many who see “Hollywood perfect” and think it keeps you from reaching for the skies and fulfilling your dream.
Aimee Lou Wood’s journey shows that truly embracing what makes you unique takes real courage. Her success reminds us all: never let expectations define you. Celebrate the strength to be yourself and inspire others to do the same.
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