Nicola Coughlan, popularly known for her role in Derry Girls and Bridgerton has asked people to refrain from sharing their opinion on her body with her (It’s 2022, why is commenting on people’s body still a thing?!).
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- pic.twitter.com/PjANvkhd3h
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) January 30, 2022
In a plea that she made on Twitter on January 31, Nicola 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.”
Nicola Coughlan. Photo: Getty Images
This isn’t the first time Nicola has spoken out against the fatphobic comments she has received. Back in 2018, she wrote a heartfelt letter for The Guardian. She hit back on the review she had received for her performance in the play The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie for her portrayal of Joyce Emily.
The reviewer, Philip Fisher of the British Theatre Guide, had said, “Nicola Coughlan as Joyce Emily is the kind of overweight little girl who will always become the butt of her fellows’ immature humour.”
She wrote in the letter that what Fisher had done was unprofessional and as reviewer, not criticised her work but instead, criticised her body.
On March 1, 2021, a Twitter user named Amanda Richards found it in her expertise to criticise Nicola’s Golden Globes look. This is what Nicola had worn to the event:
Nicola Coughlan en Molly GoddardGolden Globes 2021 pic.twitter.com/4OH7ADXC0E
— Miguel Ángel (@Miki_Trent) February 28, 2021
The user tweeted, “The fat girl from Bridgerton is wearing a black cardigan at the Golden Globes, because no matter how hot and stylish you are, if you’re a fat girl there will always be a black cardigan you think about wearing, then decide against, but ultimately wear because you feel like you have to.”
The fat girl from Bridgerton is wearing a black cardigan at the Golden Globes, bc no matter how hot and stylish you are, if you’re a fat girl there will always be a black cardigan you think about wearing, then decide against, but ultimately wear bc you feel like you have to
— Amanda Richards (@amandakater) March 1, 2021
Although she did not directly respond to this Twitter user, Coughlan tweeted her letter from The Guardian on March 2, 2021. She also reiterated in the same post, that she is not a body positive activist but instead, an actor, and that she would lose or gain weight based on the requirement of the role she was performing.
Hello! So I wrote this two years ago for the Guardian but I just thought I’d share it againTLDR: Can we judge actors for their work and not their bodies❤️https://t.co/lVhRP45H1P
— Nicola Coughlan (@nicolacoughlan) March 1, 2021
Celebrities like Kumail Nanjiani, Rebel Wilson and Adele have also spoken about their experiences with body shaming and the comments they have received after losing weight.
Talking about his transformation for Marvel Studio’s Eternals, Kunal told Vulture on October 12, 2021 that after photos leaked of him looking ‘huge’ in his gym’s parking lot, he received massive trolling. This caused him to become very insecure and for the first time in his life, he began to see a therapist regularly. The 43-year-old actor said, “The way I look has been way too important to me. And so to hear a bunch of people reaffirming my own darkest thoughts about myself was very difficult.”
Fortunately for Nicola, fans have flocked together to show support. Multiple Twitter users have expressed their love and admiration for the 35-year-old actress.
Here are 10 of the best Twitter reactions to Nicola’s plea:
1.
We love each other with all our hearts, we will always be for you, You're wonderful ?@nicolacoughlan #weloveyounicola pic.twitter.com/AD4O9nILGd
— Miss Sharma?II52 días (@bridgertoncr) January 30, 2022
2.
Stop commenting on how someone looks like. Keep your opinions to yourself, especially if you have NOTHING nice to say! @nicolacoughlan you are beautiful, talented, brave and you're such an inspiration for all of us! Te amamos Nicola ? #WeloveyouNicola #NicolaEresPerfecta pic.twitter.com/Y0LnlcHaDr
— Bridgerton | Abejitas Hispanas ? (@AbejitasHispana) January 30, 2022
3.
Dear sweet @nicolacoughlan - you and always have been spectacularly talented, perfect as you are and beautiful. Full stop. x https://t.co/bNJXaXU5OR
— Jane in Alberta (@HelpAlbertans) February 1, 2022
4.
Why do some people feel it’s ok to body shame? It’s not ok. #nicolacoughlan and #MelanieLynskey are beautiful and adorable! #KindnessMatters #StopBodyShaming
— Tudorgrl (@tudorgrl) February 1, 2022
5.
Nicola doesn't deserve to hear or read those kind of comments. She is perfect! And people need to stop commenting on how someone looks like. We are in 2022, STOP TALKING ABOUT WOMEN'S BODIES! We love you @nicolacoughlan, you are perfect for us. ? #Weloveyounicola pic.twitter.com/QHXUT69Kj0
— K ᴀ ʀ ᴇ ɴ ??| March 25th (@KaruGmz) January 30, 2022
6.
She is perfection @nicolacoughlan https://t.co/k7CsTMRFtZ
— alison curtis (@AlisonTodayFM) January 30, 2022
7.
Just a reminder that Nicola Coughlan is an incredible actress, both hilarious and heartbreaking, and an absolute queen. It’s her world and we are lucky to live in it. #DerryGirls #Bridgerton pic.twitter.com/3z37S84iy2
— Un Owen (@organicdoritos) January 31, 2022
8.
Tweet to appreciate how beautiful, talented, wonderful and perfect NICOLA COUGHLAN is#weloveyounicola pic.twitter.com/pB1IFH648K
— ????? |???| (@LeidyMt_) January 30, 2022
9.
Oh look it’s you ♥️♥️♥️ @nicolacoughlan pic.twitter.com/3mNIOrKror
— ?ᴥ? Kitty (@floralwhisperer) January 31, 2022
10.
Just dropped by to remember what a beautiful woman she is!@nicolacoughlan you are a queen, don't forget that. You deserve all the love in the world and that's what we the fandom try our best to give you. We love you baby! ? pic.twitter.com/0xgPABVDjr
— Evelin?? | ?? (@polinbridgerto) January 30, 2022
It is absolutely unacceptable to comment on people's bodies, not only because it causes harm to their mental and emotional health, but also because the pandemic has been tough on every single person in the world. It is unjust to criticise someone for features that they may or may not have the ability to change. Hopefully, people will understand Nicola's plea and conform to it.