White Lotus stars Walton Goggins and Aimee Lou Wood are setting the record straight on speculation about behind-the-scenes tension following the third season of the HBO hit.
In a candid joint interview with Variety, the actors addressed growing rumors of a rift between them, which were sparked by social media behavior and fueled by their lack of public interaction during the 2025 Met Gala.
Despite fan theories and online chatter, Goggins insisted there’s nothing but love between the two.
“There is no feud. I adore, I love this woman madly, and she is so important to me,” Goggins told Variety. “She’s Goldie Hawn. She’s Meg Ryan. She can do anything — and she will.”
Goggins and Wood portrayed Rick and Chelsea, two of season 3’s most emotionally compelling characters. Their performances earned critical praise, but it was their brief unfollowing of each other on Instagram that had fans speculating about off-screen tension.
Instagram Drama and Cultural Obsession
Wood was quick to brush off the social media scrutiny.
“Why is everyone obsessing over Instagram? That is irrelevant,” Wood said. “We don’t give a shite about Instagram. Why not have conversations about the story and Rick and Chelsea and enjoy it?”
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The Sex Education actress added that watching public speculation unfold was almost surreal.
“Eventually I just started to sit back and watch these people making something out of absolutely nothing,” she said.
An Emotional Goodbye for Goggins
Goggins took a more introspective tone, explaining that unfollowing Wood was part of his personal process of letting go of his character.
“My catharsis in this experience was different,” he said. “I knew how close we had gotten, and I needed to begin to process saying goodbye to Rick and Chelsea.”
He described Wood as “extremely supportive” of his decision, even though it was misinterpreted by fans.
“I needed to just back away from everyone,” he said. “Judge me or don’t. I don’t give a f*** what you think. This is my process. Rick means everything to me, and Chelsea means everything to me.”
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He concluded by emphasizing the depth of their friendship, assuring fans that their bond remains unshaken.
“It’s just a part of me saying goodbye to this character, so now Aimee and I will be friends for f****** ever.”
Fan Reaction and Social Commentary
Fans of The White Lotus wasted no time in weighing in on the interview. Some were relieved to hear the actors clear the air, while others felt the timing of addressing the rumors felt off.
“Good for them if that’s the case, but the timing of this is off. It could have been debunked weeks or months earlier instead of mentioning it a week before the start of the Emmys voting period, which is on June 12,” one user posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Good for them if that’s the case, but the timing of this is off 🤔 It could have been debunked weeks or months earlier instead of mentioning it a week before the start of the Emmys voting period, which is on June 12 😒 pic.twitter.com/45NppMBbNF
— Nancy Mallory (@NancyMallory15) June 4, 2025
Others were happy to see them together again and for Goggins to be advocating for Lou Wood so strongly.
“They need to be in something again as a couple but this time they get their happy ending. They were a highlight of the show fr.”
They need to be in something again as a couple but this time they get their happy ending. They were a highlight of the show fr.
— 🍉Chelsea(Buddie is going canon in S9 😈) (@ChelseaM201713) June 4, 2025
Season 3 of The White Lotus is now streaming in full on Max.
