In the glamorous world of Bridgerton, where elegant ballrooms and forbidden romances reign supreme, one actress found herself at the center of a different kind of attention. Nicola Coughlan, known for her role as Penelope Featherington in the hit Netflix series, recently opened up about the body shaming she faced while working on the show. Despite her leading role in Season 3, Coughlan revealed that she has “no interest” in becoming a body positivity activist, sparking a conversation about beauty standards in Hollywood.
Season 3 of Bridgerton finally brought fans the much-anticipated friends-to-lovers story between Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton) and Penelope Featherington, portrayed by Coughlan. While viewers were enamored with the passionate storyline, the attention also turned to Coughlan’s nude scenes and her weight. Online comments ranged from criticism to praise, prompting author Julia Quinn and the showrunners to address how Penelope’s weight loss was portrayed in the season.
In an interview with Elle, Coughlan shared her thoughts on the intense focus on her weight and the absurdity of her body type being labeled as plus-size. The actress recalled a moment during filming when she had lost weight and was wearing a size 8 corset, yet was still considered plus-size in the eyes of the public. This experience led Coughlan to question societal beauty standards and the constant scrutiny faced by actors in the industry.
Despite her success on Bridgerton and another popular series, Derry Girls, Coughlan remains steadfast in her stance on body positivity. She explained that growing up, she never thought about actors’ bodies and, therefore, lacks interest in advocating for body positivity as an actor. Instead, she chooses to focus on other meaningful causes and encourages women to prioritize their health, such as getting tested for ADHD.
As Coughlan navigates her career in the spotlight, she maintains a sense of grace and authenticity, embracing her unique journey in the entertainment industry. Her refusal to conform to societal expectations serves as a refreshing reminder of the importance of self-acceptance and individuality in a world that often dictates beauty standards. In a landscape where appearances are scrutinized and criticized, Coughlan’s unapologetic approach to body positivity shines a light on the need for greater diversity and inclusivity in Hollywood.
Peace Nero is a writer and blogger who loves to explore different topics of self-development. She shares her personal experiences in order to help people discover their true purpose in life.