Nicola Coughlan is an emerging talent who aims to transcend labels based solely on her physique.
In a nude scene from the highly anticipated third season of Bridgerton, Coughlan shared her thoughts with Time magazine regarding this bold choice. While some hailed her as “brave,” she found the term unflattering, stating, “Don’t label me as brave. I have a fantastic pair of boobs. Showing them off isn’t brave—it’s just me being myself.”
Coughlan highlights the need for careful representation of her image. “I’m a few sizes below the average woman in the UK, yet I’m referred to as a ‘plus-size heroine,’” she commented, continuing, “I put in tremendous effort for that show, often sacrificing time with family and friends, while all anyone wanted to discuss was my body.”
It has always been important to Coughlan to not be labeled just as “the fat girl.”This struggle resurfaced in 2021 when a Twitter/X user referred to her as “the fat girl from Bridgerton” in reference to her attire at the Golden Globes. While it wasn’t meant as an insult, Coughlan found it understandably hurtful, responding, “I thought my cardigan was amazing; Molly Goddard featured similar designs in her runway show. Also, I have an actual name.”
Following this incident, she shared a 2018 interview with The Guardian that addressed her experience with body image. In a review of her play Jess and Joe Forever, a critic had simply labeled her as “a fat girl,” which deeply affected her. She found it “painful—not just for the reasons you would expect. Those were the only terms he could use to describe my performance.” She concluded her piece, expressing hope that future conversations would center more on talent and inspiration rather than appearance. “There’s a revolution afoot, and I’m eager to contribute,” she stated.
She’s absolutely correct. It’s unfortunate that many prioritize Coughlan’s “plus-size” label over her remarkable acting skills. She possesses immense talent, and I, for one, am excited to see her upcoming projects. (She’s set to appear in Doctor Who this Christmas—exciting news!) It’s invigorating to witness an actress bravely advocating for her beliefs. The Time article highlighted her philanthropic efforts, particularly her work supporting the people of Gaza, which she feels passionately about.
Coughlan emphasized that comments regarding her body are never flattering, regardless of intent. “Focusing on my appearance is both reductive and uninteresting. What if I suddenly took on a role as a ballerina requiring significant weight loss? Would people still appreciate my talent? That notion is utterly ridiculous and incredibly disrespectful,” she concluded.
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