Here is a 700-word blog post about Nicola Coughlan’s comments on being labeled a “plus-size heroine” and the discourse around her body: Nicola Coughlan Shuts Down the “Plus-Size Heroine” Narrative: “There’s Nothing Brave About That.”
As the beloved Penelope Featherington on the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, Nicola Coughlan has captured the hearts of audiences around the world. However, the 37-year-old actress clearly expresses her disinterest in the public’s obsession with her physique.
In a recent interview with Time magazine, Coughlan pushed back against the narrative that she is a “plus-size heroine” for baring it all in her steamy sex scenes on the Regency-era drama.
“Don’t call me brave. I have a cracking pair of boobs. There’s nothing brave about that; that’s actually just me showing them off,” Coughlan said, scoffing at the idea that her nudity was somehow an act of courage.
The actress, who stands a few sizes below the average UK woman, expressed frustration at being viewed as a “plus-size” representation on screen, calling the discourse “reductive and boring.”
Coughlan lamented, “I’m a few sizes below the average size of a woman in the U.K. and people see me as a ‘plus-size heroine.'” “Making it about how I look is reductive and boring.”
Coughlan previously expressed a similar sentiment in an interview with Stylist magazine earlier this year. In that interview, she disclosed her specific request to include certain nude scenes in Bridgerton’s third season, viewing them as a defiant response to the constant criticism of her body.
“There’s one scene where I’m very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice,” Coughlan told Stylist. “It was incredibly empowering; it felt like the biggest ‘f— you’ to all the conversation surrounding my body.”
The actress expressed pride in her decision, saying, “I felt beautiful in the moment, and I thought, ‘When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how f—ing hot I looked!'”
But Coughlan’s frustration extends beyond just the public’s perception of her appearance. She’s also troubled by the lack of recognition for the hard work she’s put into her craft, with the discourse around her body often overshadowing her performances.
“I put in a lot of effort for that show.” I barely saw my family and friends, and people were just going, ‘But your body,'” she told Time, exasperated.
Coughlan’s unwavering stance is a refreshing departure from the typical celebrity response to body-related commentary. Instead of shying away from the issue or offering a diplomatic answer, she’s calling out the absurdity of the “plus-size heroine” label head-on.
“What if I suddenly became a ballerina and drastically reduced my weight? Would you no longer like me?” she questioned. That’s insane and so insulting,” she said, challenging the notion that her worth as an actress is intrinsically tied to her physical appearance.
Coughlan’s candid remarks are a testament to her confidence and self-assuredness, qualities that have undoubtedly contributed to her success in the industry. And as she continues to navigate the pressures of fame, she’s determined to maintain a sense of agency and control over her narrative.
“You have to have a private life and know who you are,” Coughlan said, acknowledging the delicate balance between her public persona and her true self.
With her unwavering commitment to her craft and her refusal to be defined by societal beauty standards, Nicola Coughlan is setting a powerful example for young actors and audiences alike. Her message is clear: talent, not thinness, is what truly matters in the entertainment world.
As Bridgerton fans eagerly await the release of the show’s fourth season, they can rest assured that Coughlan will continue to use her platform to challenge the status quo and redefine what it means to be a leading lady in Hollywood.