The recent controversy surrounding the romantic storyline in the Netflix series “Bridgerton” has sparked a heated debate among fans challenging the notion that attracting a man is limited by body size. When an opinion piece in The Spectator questioned the desirability of Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan, fans were quick to push back against the idea that her pairing with the handsome Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton, could never happen in real life because of her size.
Following the release of the third season of the series on Netflix this month, fans were offended by what they perceived as body shaming in the article, which bluntly stated that Coughlan “is not hot, and there’s no getting around it.” The article went on to argue that efforts to prioritize equality and diversity are not enough to “remotely make it believable that a fat girl gets the prince.”
Many pointed out that Coughlan wouldn’t even be considered fat by many people – terms like “plump” and “curvy” were used repeatedly – but others online continued to echo the same issue raised in the article. One Threads user wrote that she “wasn’t used to seeing a woman like Penelope with a guy like Colin” and that “it wouldn’t happen in real life,” sparking a wave of responses from plus-size women sharing images of themselves happily coupled up.
Danielle Wallace, a plus-size woman from Houston, shared in a phone interview that, although she wasn’t a regular viewer of the series, she felt compelled to join the chorus of objectors to the publication as a woman happily engaged to a man who loves her. “What one person finds attractive is not what everyone finds attractive, and it seems like some people don’t understand that,” said the 51-year-old Wallace. “It’s very strange to be an adult and not understand that.”
The backlash against the article highlights the importance of representation and diversity in media, challenging traditional beauty standards and promoting body positivity. It serves as a reminder that love and attraction are not limited by size or appearance, but are deeply personal and subjective experiences. In a world where societal norms often dictate who is deemed desirable, stories like “Bridgerton” play a crucial role in breaking stereotypes and celebrating love in all its forms.