Simone Ashley, renowned for her role as Kate Sharma in Netflix's hit series Bridgerton, has stepped forward to defend her co-star Nicola Coughlan amidst recent instances of body-shaming directed towards the actress.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, at an event, Ashley addressed the criticisms aimed at Coughlan, who portrays Penelope Featherington in the series' third season. "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 remarked, emphasizing Coughlan's resilience and strength.
Expressing admiration for Coughlan, Ashley continued, "She has a strong and fruitful career and entire life ahead of her. And I really believe in her, as the world does as well."
Ashley praised Coughlan's impact, noting, "I think Nicola is just absolutely flying. 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. And I'm inspired by her as well."
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Ashley also highlighted Coughlan's kindness, describing it as a universal trait that resonates with people.
"She's also a really kind human being, and I think that's such a universal language that people can relate to," Ashley added.
Earlier this month, Nicola Coughlan responded to speculation about her appearance in Bridgerton season 3, particularly addressing comments suggesting her waist had been photoshopped.
"I saw some trolls. They were like, 'They photoshopped your waist,' and I was like, 'No, they did not,'" Coughlan clarified in an interview with People magazine.
Explaining the effects of wearing corsets for her role, Coughlan elaborated, "I think if you wear corsetry for long enough, your body really moulds to it. Sometimes they come in for a fitting for a fashion designer and they put a corset on me and I'm like, 'Oh, you can go tight,' and they go, 'What do you mean?' I'm like, 'My body now will go, 'Whew.'"
Bridgerton, known for its Regency-era costumes and intricate storytelling, continues to captivate audiences worldwide on Netflix.
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire
Rahul Bhatt sparks controversy over 'insensitive' remarks about sisters Alia and Pooja Bhatt
Rahul Bhatt, fitness trainer and son of veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, has found himself at the centre of a social media storm following controversial remarks about his half-sister, Alia Bhatt. In a recent interview, Rahul drew comparisons between Alia and their older sister Pooja Bhatt, calling the latter more talented, attractive, and principled.
The comments, which many have labelled inappropriate and insensitive, have sparked widespread criticism online. During the interview, Rahul stated, “In my opinion, she (Alia) is not even half of what my real sister Pooja is. Not in talent, not in looks, not in terms of being sexy. In front of my sister, she is ‘paani kam chai’ (watery tea). Amongst the siblings, the most talented and the most moralistic is Pooja.”
Social media users reacted strongly, questioning why Rahul would compare his sisters in such personal terms. Several users were particularly disturbed by his reference to their appearance and sex appeal, pointing out that such comparisons within a family cross boundaries of propriety. One comment read, “This is disturbing. Why talk about your sisters like that? It’s not just weird, it’s wrong.” Another post said, “There’s nothing respectful about comparing your siblings’ attractiveness in public.”
The backlash also reignited conversation around a decades-old controversy involving Mahesh Bhatt and Pooja Bhatt. Rahul was asked about the infamous 1990s magazine cover where the father-daughter duo shared a kiss, which had stirred public outrage at the time. Dismissing the criticism, Rahul said, “It doesn’t make any difference. It’s like water off a duck’s back. We know the truth, and we’ve seen everything since childhood.”
Rahul’s casual dismissal of that controversy has added fuel to the fire, with critics saying it reflects a broader issue of the Bhatt family being insensitive to public perception and boundaries. Many users questioned the need for bringing up old incidents in a bid to defend new and equally questionable statements.
As of now, neither Alia Bhatt nor Pooja Bhatt has issued any public response to Rahul’s remarks. Both actors, known for their significant contributions to Indian cinema, have typically kept family matters private despite living in the public eye.
This episode has also sparked debate over the role of public figures in maintaining respect when discussing family matters in the media. Observers say such comments, especially when involving women’s appearance and personal qualities, reinforce problematic attitudes and fuel unnecessary controversies.
While Rahul Bhatt is not as prominent in the entertainment industry as his father or sisters, his comments have made headlines and placed the Bhatt family in the spotlight for reasons beyond their creative work. For many, this serves as a reminder that public platforms come with responsibility, and that family ties should not be trivialised or dissected for attention or comparison.
The backlash is unlikely to subside soon, especially as fans and followers of Alia and Pooja continue to express disappointment over the way the situation has unfolded. Whether or not Rahul chooses to clarify or apologise remains to be seen.