Bridgerton actor Nicola Coughlan has addressed years of body-shaming and comments about her weight, saying she has “no interest in body positivity” and wants the focus to be on her work.
Nicola Coughlan has opened up about the years of body-shaming she has faced since starring in the hit Netflix series Bridgerton, saying she is tired of conversations about her appearance overshadowing her work as an actor.
In a recent interview with Elle UK, the Irish star revealed she has repeatedly been subjected to comments about her weight and body, particularly after intimate scenes in the period drama sparked intense online discussion.
‘I have no interest in body positivity’
Coughlan admitted that despite being frequently labelled a body-positivity figure, she does not see herself as an advocate for the movement.
“The thing I say sometimes that pisses people off is I have no interest in body positivity,” she said in an interview with Elle UK, adding that when she was younger she never thought about actors’ bodies while watching films or television.
The actress explained that conversations about her appearance often feel reductive, especially after spending months working intensely on a project only for attention to focus on how she looks rather than her performance.
‘How messed up is it?’
Coughlan also recalled how she was still labeled “plus-size” even after losing weight while filming the show.
During production, she said she had slimmed down significantly and was wearing a UK size 10, yet the narrative about her being the “biggest woman” on screen continued.
Reflecting on the experience, she questioned the industry’s beauty standards, saying the situation made her wonder “how messed up” perceptions around women’s bodies can be in Hollywood.
An uncomfortable fan encounter
The actor also shared an awkward moment that highlighted the issue. She recalled meeting a fan who told her they loved the show “because of your body,” which left her deeply uncomfortable.
“I was like, ‘I want to die. I hate this so much,’” she said, explaining that such comments reduce years of work to discussions about physical appearance.
Coughlan has previously urged fans to stop sending opinions about her body, saying it can be difficult to deal with thousands of comments about her looks online.
Support from co-stars
The actress has also received public support from colleagues, including her
_Bridgerton_ co-star
Simone Ashley, who has spoken out against the criticism directed at Coughlan.
Ashley defended her fellow actor in interviews, stressing that hateful comments about women’s bodies have no place in the industry and praising Coughlan’s talent and success.
Wanting the focus back on the work
Ultimately, Coughlan says she wants the conversation to shift away from her body and back to her craft.
While she remains outspoken about issues such as mental health, ADHD awareness and LGBTQ+ rights, she insists that debates about her appearance are not something she wishes to center her public platform around.
For the actor, the goal is simple: that audiences discuss her performances rather than her body.
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