Forbes has come under fire for a recent op-ed about two Bridgerton characters having a “mixed-weight romance,” suggesting that the world “isn’t ready yet” to see two people with different body types dating on-screen.
The piece, written by Virgie Tovar, “a leading expert on weight bias,” focused on the relationship between fictional characters Penelope Featherington, played by Nicola Coughlan, and Colin Bridgerton, played by Luke Newton.
Tovar said the on-screen relationship between the two characters “defied romantic plot convention,” apparently because Nicola is “older” than Luke.
But Tovar’s use of the phrase “mixed-weight romance” has sparked a bitter reaction from readers, with many wondering why it was necessary to draw attention to her size.
Fans of the Shonda Rhimes series took to X, formerly known as Twitter, in droves to criticize the writer and the publication, angrily mocking the use of the phrase “mixed weight.”
Forbes has come under fire after an op-ed called the romance between two characters on the hit show Bridgerton a “mixed-weight relationship.”
One person said: “Mixed weight relationships are hated here.”
Another added: “Mixed weight relationships are so, so, so fun. Have you ever been outdoors bro?”
‘Interweightcial,’ the user commented.
Some asked why Bridgerton’s latest leading couple was used as an example of a “mixed-weight relationship,” and one person questioned why there haven’t been articles written about larger men dating smaller women in shows and movies.
“Fat women are actually hated by society on a molecular level because what the hell is a mixed weight relationship?” the user asked.
“And, damn, where are the articles about all the couples on TV that are fat men and skinny women? Or fat men and skinny men? What the hell does that mean?”
Someone else wrote: ‘I find it interesting how there are countless fictional couples in movies and TV where the man weighs more than the woman, but people didn’t start writing articles about whatever a “mixed weight romance” is until it was the other way around.’
One user added: ‘Aside from how ridiculous this whole headline is, let’s remember that “mixed weight relationships” have been very common on television with one significant difference to the one being pointed out here, as if it’s literally a sitcom trope.’
After calling their romance “mixed weight,” fans of the Shonda Rhimes series took to X, formerly known as Twitter, to slam the writer and the publication.
Another person commented: “It’s funny. ‘Mixed weight’ relationships have been on screen for a long time. It’s only a problem when the woman is overweight.”
Others pointed out the fact that overweight men and thin women have been at the centre of television shows for quite some time.
Some examples given by users included 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 title.
But the Forbes article isn’t the only Bridgerton-related topic sparking fan ire right now, as viewers recently slammed a surprising plot twist from 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 get together after John dies.
During the 30-second conversation, Francesca stutters her words and can barely remember her own name after Michaela introduces herself.
Others pointed out the fact that overweight men and thin women have been at the centre of television shows for quite some time.
The gender swap is a plot twist that fans of the book weren’t expecting and left many disappointed.
Showrunner Jess Brownell detailed the process behind the change and confirmed plans for greater LGBTQIA+ representation on the show.
“When we first started talking about queer representation on the show, we started with a discussion that this is a show about happy endings and we’re not interested in queer trauma, we really want to see queer joy,” Brownell told Variety.
“And if we’re going to tell a queer story, we’d like to find a way to have a happy ending.
“You’ll see more of Michaela in the upcoming season. I can’t say in what sense, just in terms of not spoiling where we’re headed. But there will be a relationship between Michaela and Fran, just like in the books,” she told Entertainment Weekly.