Forbes has been met with fierce criticism over a recent opinion piece about two Bridgerton characters being in a ‘mixed-weight romance’ – suggesting that the world is ‘still not ready’ to see two people of different body types dating on-screen.
The piece, which was 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 that the on-screen relationship between the two characters ‘defied romance plotline convention’, seemingly because Nicola is ‘larger’ than Luke.
But Tovar’s use of the phrase ‘mixed-weight romance’ has sparked a bitter backlash from readers, with many questioning why the need to call attention to their size was ever necessary.
Fans of the Shonda Rhimes series took to X, formerly known as Twitter, in their droves to slam the writer and the publication, furiously mocking the use of the ‘mixed-weight’ phrasing.
One person said: ‘”Mixed-weight relationships”, I hate it here.’
Another added: ‘”Mixed weight relationships” is so so so funny like bro have you ever been outside?’
‘Interweightcial,’ commented on user.
Some asked why Bridgerton’s latest leading couple were used as an example of a ‘mixed-weight relationship’, with one person questioning why no articles have been written about larger men who date smaller women in shows and movies.
‘Fat women really are just hated by society on a molecular level because what the f*** is a mixed weight relationship??’ the user asked.
‘And f*** me, but where are the articles about all the couples on TV that are fat men and skinny women? Or fat men with skinny men? Like. Wtf does this even mean?’
Someone else wrote: ‘I find it interesting how there are countless fictional couples in film and television where the man weighs more than the woman but people didn’t start writing articles about whatever the f*** 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 just remember that “mixed weight relationships” have been very common on TV with one significant difference than the one noted here like it’s literally a sitcom trope.’
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 to the fact that overweight men and skinny women have been at the center of TV shows for quite some time.
Some examples users gave 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 issue wasn’t with the article itself but with the headline.
But the Forbes article is not the only Bridgerton-related issue sparking fury among fans at the moment, with viewers recently taking aim at a shock plot twist in the finale of the latest season.
Francesca Bridgerton, played by Hannah Dodd, marries John Stirling in season three and in the finale she meets his cousin Michaela, who is Michael in the books. The two couple up after John dies.
During the 30-second conversation, Francesca stutters over her words and can barely remember her own name after Michaela introduces herself.
The gender swap is a plot twist book fans weren’t expecting and left many disappointed.
Showrunner Jess Brownell detailed the process behind the change and confirmed plans for more LGBTQIA+ representation in the show.
‘When we started talking about queer representation on the show, we started with a discussion that this is a show about happily-ever-afters, and that we’re not interested in queer trauma – that we really want to see queer joy,’ Ms. Brownell told Variety.
‘And if we’re going to tell a queer story, we would like to find a way for there to be a happily ever after.
‘You’re going to see more of Michaela next season. I can’t say in what capacity, just in terms of not tipping my hand of where we’re going. But there is going to be a relationship between Michaela and Fran, as per the books,’ she told Entertainment Weekly.
