Nicola Coughlan, the star of Netflix’s “Bridgerton,” is addressing accusations that her waist was digitally altered in the show. The actress, who portrays Penelope Featherington, explained to People magazine that her appearance is due to the period-appropriate corsets she wears, not Photoshop.
“If you wear corsetry long enough, your body molds to it,” Coughlan shared. “Sometimes during fittings, designers put a corset on me, and I tell them, ‘You can go tight,’ and they’re surprised. But my body now adjusts to it.”
Despite her explanation, some online trolls have accused the show of editing her waist. “I saw some trolls saying, ‘They photoshopped your waist,’ and I was like, ‘No, they did not,'” she clarified.
Coughlan is no stranger to public scrutiny about her body, both on and off the screen. During a recent Q&A event in Dublin, she had a witty response when someone called her “brave” for showing her body on the show. “It’s hard because women with my body type — women with perfect breasts — we don’t see ourselves on screen enough,” she said. “I’m very proud as a member of the perfect breast community. I hope you enjoy seeing them.”
The 37-year-old actress has been vocal about her decision to be “very naked on camera” for the current season of “Bridgerton.” In an interview with Stylist, she revealed that she specifically requested certain scenes and lines to be included. “There’s one scene where I’m very naked on camera, and that was my idea, my choice. It felt like the biggest ‘fuck you’ to all the conversation surrounding my body; it was amazingly empowering,” she said.
Coughlan added that she felt beautiful in the moment and wanted to capture this time in her life. “I thought: ‘When I’m 80, I want to look back on this and remember how fucking hot I looked!'”
The controversy around corsets isn’t new. Fellow “Bridgerton” star Simone Ashley previously mentioned experiencing pain while wearing a corset, even injuring her shoulder. Similarly, Lily James, who wore a corset for “Cinderella,” said it affected her digestion. Cara Delevingne also criticized the garment, saying it made her lose her voice while filming “Carnival Row.”
Despite these issues, corsets are making a comeback in modern fashion. Celebrities like Kim Kardashian have been seen wearing them, sparking interest in the trend. However, experts advise caution. Deirdre Clemente, a history professor, noted that while corsets have a reputation for being restrictive, they were historically seen as necessary for modesty.
Dr. Tasneem Bhatia advises that wearing a corset for short periods is generally safe but warns against extended use. “They do squeeze your organs, but if you’re wearing a corset for two hours or so, it’s not a big deal,” she said. “However, wearing it for 12 hours or overnight can pose significant issues.”
Bhatia explained that prolonged use puts pressure on abdominal organs and the pelvic floor, which can lead to gynecological issues. She emphasized that corsets can create the illusion of a smaller waist but cannot lead to permanent body changes or weight loss.
If you choose to wear a corset, Bhatia recommends ensuring it’s not too tight and that you can breathe comfortably. “Make sure the fabric is breathable and limit wearing it to four to six hours,” she advised.
Nicola Coughlan’s experience with corsets on “Bridgerton” highlights the complexities of historical fashion and modern body image. While the actress continues to face scrutiny, she remains unapologetically herself, challenging societal norms and embracing her body.
