Bridgerton star defends Nicola Coughlan against body-shaming: 'Haters are going to hate'
Actress Simone Ashley has spoken out in defence of her Bridgerton co-star Nicola Coughlan following an onslaught of body-shaming.
Ashley, 29 – who plays Kate in the hit Netflix series – spoke fondly of her pal and fellow Bridgerton actress during a press conference when asked about the criticism of Coughlan following the show's season premiere.
"Yeah, the haters are going to hate, and I think we can all relate to that, but I really don't think that she's allowing that to bother her," Ashley said of Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington and is the romantic focus of season three.
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Simone Ashley and Nicola Coughlan pictured in 2021. Dave Benett/Getty Images for Ral
She added during the Monte-Carlo Television Festival in Monaco earlier this month: "She has a strong and fruitful career and [an] entire life ahead of her. And I really believe in her, as the world does as well."
Ashley continued to gush about Coughlan, 37, who has faced body-shaming comments and criticism since the season's launch.
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"I think Nicola is just absolutely flying," she added. "She is a gorgeous, strong, confident, intelligent woman, seeing her do this press tour and spread so much joy and inspiration to everyone – especially women – all over the world."
Coughlan's body shape has been the subject of online commentary and questions for months.
Coughlan has faced commentary about her body type for months. Getty
During a fan event in Dublin earlier this year, the actress skillfully shut down a comment from a viewer which noted she was "brave" to strip down in partially nude scenes in her role as Penelope.
"You know, I think it is hard, because I think women with my body type – women with perfect breasts – we don't get to see ourselves on screen enough."
"I am a very proud member of the perfect breasts community, and I hope you enjoy seeing them," she added.
For years now, the Bridgerton star has endured countless unsolicited messages and comments about her body.
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In 2022, Coughlan took to Instagram to ask fans and followers to stop bombarding her with messages about her appearance.
The Irish actress is the focus of the romantic plot in season three of the show. LIAM DANIEL/NETFLIX
In the caption of a mirror selfie posted on her verified Instagram account, Nicola Coughlan wrote, "Hello! So just a thing – if you have an opinion about my body please, please don't share it with me."
"Most people are being nice and not trying to be offensive but I am just one real life human being and it's really hard to take the weight of thousands of opinions on how you look being sent directly to you every day," the Irish actress continued.
"If you have an opinion about me that's ok, I understand I'm on TV and that people will have things to think and say but I beg you not to send it to me directly."
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