We support our Publishers and Content Creators. You can view this story on their website by CLICKING HERE.
The show ‘Bridgerton’ has taken Netflix by storm, but a recent opinion piece regarding an on-screen romance has the Internet up in arms.
A recently written opinion piece published in Forbes explored whether people are ready for “mixed weight romance,” referencing the love between characters Penelope Featherington and Colin Bridgerton. Featherington, played by actress Nicola Coughlan, is notably heavier-set than Bridgerton, played by actor Luke Newton, which the author of the piece claims “creates friction around the socially acceptable limits of desire and desirability.”
In referencing a different piece written about the show, the author claims that “fatphobia” is the reason the characters’ romance is being criticized online.
First, Strimpel’s description of Penelope as “the friend” reveals a need to sideline plus-size people, even when they are the main character of their own love story. This is a form of fatphobia we’ve seen frequently in romantic comedies that cast larger-bodied actresses as the asexual sidekicks of smaller-bodied ones.
Second, it’s important to notice that Colin’s desire for Penelope isn’t even addressed. Only the implausibility of that desire is mentioned. The truth is, though, that Colin wants Penelope, right? He’s not a prisoner in this romance, right? Yet, it’s not Colin’s desire that’s being pathologized or chided at all. It’s Penelope’s body.
This didn’t sit well with people on social media, who were quick to respond:
Im pretty sure we have had mixed weight romances on tv but I guess they found another reason for someone to be a victim
— J Hans (@blackhawkce457) July 2, 2024
King of Queens. We already have them. pic.twitter.com/rFUpGbVod2
— Rooster_Bob (@Rooster_Bob1776) July 2, 2024
Because unhealthy is undesirable.
— Sean D Knight (@SeanDKnight) July 2, 2024
My whole life I’ve seen “mid” overweight men bag gorgeous women in cartoons/TV. Almost as if mid overweight men produced those shows. pic.twitter.com/OuR8u1Cgih
— AMG (@MarieAnGilbert) July 2, 2024
To be fair it’s virtually ALWAYS a chubby to really fat guy and a BEAUTIFUL slender woman.
— A Momo (@mlbcrick) July 2, 2024
Hairspray exists already, and it was an explosive Broadway musical where the fat girl gets the popular handsome high school guy.
— Brett of the chosen city (@EveryDayJiayou) July 2, 2024
Because 1) men want the fantasy of marrying to most beautiful woman in the land, and 2) women want the fantasy of being the most beautiful woman in the land
— Peacey (@PeacyPete) July 2, 2024
We have no tolerance for comments containing violence, racism, profanity, vulgarity, doxing, or discourteous behavior. If a comment is spam, instead of replying to it please click the ∨ icon below and to the right of that comment. Thank you for partnering with us to maintain fruitful conversation.