Nicola Coughlan on Social Media Breaks and Body Image Standards
Nicola Coughlan, the Irish actress celebrated for her roles in Bridgerton and Derry Girls, has spoken candidly about her complex relationship with social media and the pressures surrounding body image in the entertainment industry. Coughlan revealed she frequently deletes social media apps from her phone due to their negative impact on her well-being.
Social Media’s Impact and Temporary Deletions
Speaking to the BBC, Coughlan explained her practice of downloading social media platforms solely to promote her work, promptly deleting them afterward. “I just download social media to post something and then delete it straight away as it can have a really negative impact,” she stated. This pattern reflects a growing awareness among actors about the potential downsides of constant online engagement.
Co-Stars Share Similar Concerns
Coughlan isn’t alone in her views. Andrew Garfield and Claire Foy, co-stars in the new adaptation of Enid Blyton’s The Magic Faraway Tree, echoed her sentiments. Garfield expressed concern about the impact of social media on young people, stating, “The more we live through this technological revolution, the more we understand that our consciousness is being hijacked…Our attention, a valuable commodity, is being commodified and is being used and abused by tech companies.” He emphasized the importance of disconnecting and reconnecting with nature. Foy added that the issue extends beyond children, affecting everyone.
Addressing Body Image and ‘Plus-Size’ Labels
Coughlan recently addressed assumptions about her body size, particularly in relation to nude scenes in Bridgerton. She clarified that she was a size 8-10 during filming and found the focus on her body “boring.” In an interview with ELLE UK, she stated, “The thing I say sometimes that pisses people off is I have no interest in body positivity.”
She recounted an instance where a fan praised her body, which she found deeply unsettling. “I remember this really drunk girl once talking to me in a bathroom being like, ‘I loved [Bridgerton] due to the fact that of your body.’ And started talking about my body, and I was like, ‘I aim for to die. I hate this so much…’” Coughlan emphasized her dedication to her craft and her frustration when discussions centered on her appearance rather than her performance.
She also noted that she had lost weight before filming the nude scenes, being a size 10 with corsets fitting at a size 8, and questioned the standards that led to her being labeled “plus-size” in that context. “How f***ed are we that I am the biggest woman you want to see on screen?” she remarked.
Personal Life and Relationships
Coughlan also briefly shared insights into her relationship with actor Jake Dunn, describing their connection as supportive and grounded in mutual respect. “We strive our best. I send him annoying videos all the time and then, you know, a lot of Facetime, but he’s super-busy,” she said, adding that she appreciates his independent pursuits.
As Coughlan continues to navigate her career and public life, her openness about the challenges of social media and body image offers a valuable perspective on the pressures faced by actors in the modern entertainment landscape.