Emily Wood, the sister of actress Aimee Lou Wood, has publicly shared the deeply personal reasons behind their decision to stop working together professionally. The make-up artist explained that their shared struggles with mental health made their professional dynamic too challenging to sustain.
The Heart of the Matter: Protecting Their Bond
Speaking on the Breaking Beauty podcast this week, Emily, 28, was asked if she still does the make-up for her 31-year-old sister, who stars in Sex Education and The White Lotus. She replied, 'No... It’s just something that’s a sensitive space because we decided years ago that we both struggle with our mental health.'
Emily elaborated that they are both 'very sensitive, hyper-vigilant people,' a state that becomes 'way more exacerbated' in a work environment. She revealed the profound depth of their challenges, stating, 'I have complex PTSD... Aimee does too, so we need extra safety to feel even a normal level of safety.'
The dynamic became strained, with Emily feeling overprotective and needing to constantly check in, while Aimee simply needed to focus on getting through her work day. 'It was just too much for us,' Emily confessed.
A Conscious Choice for Preservation
This professional separation was a conscious and mature decision aimed at safeguarding their relationship. 'We were like, we need to - not that it would ever be ruined - but preserve the sisterhood. It’s boundaries,' Emily explained.
She emphasised that this move was ultimately for the best, adding, 'We needed to grow up and mature and it was actually the best thing we ever did.' Despite the split, they made a recent exception for a special project, with Emily creating Aimee's look for a Burberry campaign earlier this year, which she described as a 'really fun day.'
A Legacy of Childhood Trauma
The sisters' mental health battles have a painful origin story, recently brought to light by their father, Mike Wood. Last month, the 66-year-old, now 22 years sober, gave an extraordinary interview where he admitted his addictions to drink and cocaine wreaked 'mayhem' on Aimee and Emily during their childhood in Bramhall, Stockport.
Mike revealed that his chaotic lifestyle—which included brawls, binges, a breakdown, and a near-suicide attempt—directly contributed to the emotional scars that still affect his daughters. He stated that both are neurodiverse, having inherited his artistic streak, sensitivity, and anxiety.
Aimee has been open about how these early experiences manifested, with her bulimia, body dysmorphia, and severe social anxiety beginning in childhood. She told Radio Times in September that she still fights the urge to control her life through not eating when feeling overwhelmed.
The sisters, who once shared a flat in London, have also chosen to live separately, with Emily noting that 'the space is essential.' Their story is one of confronting a difficult past, establishing firm boundaries, and prioritising their wellbeing and their irreplaceable bond as sisters above all else.
