The internet went into overdrive this week, and not because of a viral cat video or a celebrity Twitter feud. Nope, this time it was all about love, body image, and the glaring double standard that seems to plague Hollywood (shocking, I know!). It all started with Nicola Coughlan, the charming and talented star of Netflix's hit series "Bridgerton."
Penelope and Colin: A Love Story That Shook the Ton…and the Internet
In the latest season of "Bridgerton," Coughlan's character, the witty and observant Penelope Featherington, finally gets her happily ever after with the swoon-worthy Colin Bridgerton (played by Luke Newton).
Articles popped up with headlines like "Are We Still Not Ready For A Mixed-Weight Romance On Screen?" (Spoiler alert: the article itself was actually in support of the couple, but the damage was done). The term "mixed-weight relationship" was bandied about on social media, often with a healthy dose of disdain.
And the internet, being the glorious echo chamber that it is, responded with a collective, "Wait a minute…"
Double Standards and a History of Hypocrisy
As many astute users were quick to point out, the idea of a "mixed-weight relationship" isn't exactly groundbreaking. In fact, Hollywood has been showcasing them for decades, just usually with the man being the heavier one in the relationship. Think "The King of Queens," "According to Jim," and even animated classics like "The Flintstones" and "Family Guy."
"Funny. 'Mixed-weight' relationships have been on screen for a long time. It's only a problem when the woman is heavy," one user succinctly tweeted. Another added, "Meanwhile, there are about a million different shows where a chubby man has a skinny wife, and no one bats an eye.
Nicola Coughlan: A Stone-Cold Stunner Who Deserves Better
Let's be real for a second, shall we? Nicola Coughlan is a goddamn delight. She's funny, she's talented, and she looks absolutely radiant in those Regency-era gowns. The fact that her body type has become a topic of debate is not only ridiculous but indicative of a much larger problem in Hollywood and society at large.
"Every day there's a brand-new way introduced to women that makes them feel bad about their perfectly fine bodies, and their perfectly acceptable desires," one user tweeted.
Let Love (and Bodies) Exist in All Their Forms
The truth is, love doesn’t care about body size, shape, or weight. And it’s high time that Hollywood, and the world in general, catches up. Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton's on-screen romance isn't revolutionary because of their weight difference; it's revolutionary because it shows two people falling in love, regardless of societal expectations.
So maybe, just maybe, it’s time we ditch the outdated labels and celebrate love in all its forms. Because whether it’s Penelope and Colin, Homer and Marge, or any other couple who makes our hearts flutter, love is love, and that’s all that really matters.
