Walton Goggins Sidesteps Feud Rumors with Aimee Lou Wood in Cheeky SNL Debut — But the Drama Still Follows.

Live from New York — with a side of silent shade?
Walton Goggins made his Saturday Night Live hosting debut on May 10, and while the White Lotus star had the audience laughing, he carefully avoided addressing the elephant in the room: his rumored feud with former costar Aimee Lou Wood.

No Comment, All Charm

During the episode, Goggins, 53, kicked off his monologue with humor and heart — even inviting his real-life mother onstage for a surprise dance in honor of Mother's Day. The sweet moment tugged at viewers’ emotions and momentarily shifted focus away from the online buzz surrounding him and Wood.

“Most of you probably know me from The White Lotus,” he said with a smirk. “No spoilers, but I die.”

He then leaned into his unexpected heartthrob status, joking: “Some of my friends have even asked me — what does it feel like to become a sex symbol at 53? And you know what? It feels fantastic. Until I Googled myself.” Goggins laughed as he read off headlines mocking his “receding hairline” and “bulging eyes.”

But not once did he touch the rumored fallout with Aimee Lou Wood — his Season 3 White Lotus costar, who played his on-screen love interest.

A Rift That Won’t Quit

The rift speculation has been swirling since the HBO hit wrapped earlier this year. Fans noticed that Goggins and Wood had quietly unfollowed each other on Instagram and stopped interacting online. Wood’s comments on Goggins' older posts disappeared, and both actors posted behind-the-scenes photos without tagging each other — sparking theories that something had gone sour behind the scenes.

Adding fuel to the fire, sources claim the pair avoided each other at the Met Gala, and when asked directly about the tension during a press interview, Goggins abruptly shut it down.

“I’m not gonna have that conversation,” he told a reporter from The Times, as his publicists swiftly cut in: “Next question.”

Still, days before the SNL episode aired, eagle-eyed fans noticed the duo had refollowed each other — perhaps a digital olive branch?

The SNL Sketch That Stirred It Up

The Goggins-Wood drama intensified after SNL aired a parody sketch last month titled “The White POTUS,” which took aim at the HBO show's dynamics. Cast member Sarah Sherman spoofed Wood’s character, sparking backlash online — and from Wood herself.

Calling the skit “mean and unfunny,” Wood posted to her Instagram Stories, later revealing Sherman had sent her a bouquet of flowers as an apology. Goggins, on the other hand, didn’t seem offended. He commented on SNL’s post:
“Hahahahahhahaha Amazzzingggg.”

But Wait — Is It All Just Hype?

Despite all the online sleuthing, Wood gave a surprising quote in a recent interview with The Cut, saying Goggins was “hilarious” and calling their time on The White Lotus “the best thing ever.”

While she didn’t appear during Goggins’s SNL weekend, the kind words suggest things may not be as icy as fans believe.

What’s Next?

Neither Goggins nor Wood has publicly confirmed — or denied — any falling-out. But between awkward red carpet encounters, cryptic social media activity, and dodged interview questions, the internet isn’t dropping it anytime soon.

Catch Saturday Night Live on NBC and stream The White Lotus Season 3 now on Max.