Forbes sparks FURY with opinion piece about Bridgerton’s ‘mixed-weight romance’ between Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton: ‘What does this even MEAN?’
Forbes has been heavily criticized for a recent op-ed that claimed two Bridgerton characters are having a “mixed-race romance,” suggesting that the world “isn’t ready” to see two people of different body types dating on screen.
The piece, written by Virgie Tovar, a “leading expert on weight prejudice,” focused on the relationship between fictional characters Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan, and Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton.
Tovar said the two characters’ on-screen relationship “goes against the conventions of romantic storylines,” apparently because Nicola is “bigger” than Luke.
But Tovar’s use of the term “mixed-genre romance” has provoked bitter outrage from readers, with many wondering why it was ever necessary to draw attention to their magnitude.
Fans of the Shonda Rhimes series took to X, formerly known as Twitter, en masse to slam the author and the publication, furiously joking about the use of the “mixed” phrasing.
Forbes has faced fierce criticism after an opinion piece described the romance between two characters in the hit series Bridgerton as a “mixed-race relationship”
Someone said, “Mixed-character relationships,” I hate it here.
Another added: ‘”Mixed weight relationships” is so funny, like: bro, have you ever been outside?’
‘Interweightcial’, the user said.
Some wondered why Bridgerton’s newest leading couple was being used as an example of a “relationship of different weights.” One person wondered why there haven’t been articles written in TV shows and movies about larger men dating smaller women.
“Fat women are literally hated by society on a molecular level because what the hell is a relationship with different weights??,” the user asked.
‘And f*** me, but where are the articles about all those couples on TV that are fat men and thin women? Or fat men with thin men? What does this even mean?’
Someone else wrote: ‘I find it interesting how there are tons of fictional couples in movies and on TV where the man is heavier than the woman, but people didn’t start writing articles about what a ‘mixed weight romance’ even is until it turned out to be the other way around.’
One user added: ‘Regardless of how ridiculous this entire headline is, let’s not forget that ‘mixed weight relationships’ are extremely common on TV, with one major difference from what’s being noted here: it’s literally a sitcom trope.’
After labeling their romance as “mixed weight,” fans of the Shonda Rhimes series took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to criticize the writer and the publication
Another person commented: ‘Funny. ‘Mixed weight’ relationships have been on screen for a long time. It’s only a problem when the woman is heavy.’
Others pointed out that obese men and thin women have long been the focus of TV shows.
Some examples given by users were Peter and Lois Griffin, Doug and Carrie Heffernan, Homer and Marge Simpson, Carl and Harriet Winslow, Fred and Wilma Flintstone, Bob and Abishola.
Other users noted that the problem was not with the article itself, but with the headline.
But the Forbes article isn’t the only Bridgerton-related issue currently causing fan outrage. Viewers also recently focused on a shocking plot twist in the season finale.
Francesca Bridgerton, played by Hannah Dodd, marries John Stirling in season three and meets his cousin Michaela, who is Michael in the books, in the finale. The two become a couple after John dies.
During the 30-second conversation, Francesca stutters and can barely remember her own name after Michaela introduces herself.
Others pointed out that obese men and thin women have long been the focus of TV shows.
The gender swap is a plot twist that fans weren’t expecting and left many disappointed.
Showrunner Jess Brownell detailed how the change happened and confirmed plans for more LGBTQIA+ representation on the show.
“When we were talking about queer representation on the show, we started with the discussion that this is a show about happily ever afters, and we’re not interested in queer trauma — that we really want to see queer joy,” Brownell told Variety.
‘And if we’re going to tell a strange story, we want to find a way to bring the story to a happy ending.
“You’re going to see more of Michaela next season. I can’t say in what capacity, but I don’t want to give away where we’re going. But there will be a relationship between Michaela and Fran, as is in the books,” she told Entertainment Weekly.