Nicola Coughlan, widely recognized for her role as Penelope Featherington in Netflix's acclaimed series "Bridgerton," has openly discussed the challenges she faces regarding public scrutiny of her body.

The actress shared a particularly unsettling encounter with Elle UK magazine, recounting an incident where she was confronted by an inebriated fan in a bathroom.

During this encounter, the fan openly discussed Coughlan’s physique directly in front of her, causing significant discomfort and dismay to the star.

The "Bridgerton" Season 3, which centered on Penelope's romance with Colin Bridgerton, saw Coughlan actively preparing for her role.

She revealed to Elle that she was exercising considerably during the filming of the series, resulting in her losing a significant amount of weight.

She estimated she was around a size 10, with some corsets being a size 8. Despite this, she noted the public often labeled her as "plus size," leading her to question the distorted perceptions of body image in the entertainment industry.

"How fucked are we that I am the biggest woman you want to see on screen?" she critically pondered.

Recalling the specific bathroom incident, Coughlan described her desire to "die" and her intense dislike for the conversation when the drunk fan began discussing her body.

She expressed deep frustration that after months of dedication, hard work, and sacrifice—including time away from family—the focus of public discussion often boils down to her physical appearance. She found this preoccupation "so fucking boring," emphasizing that her effort should be recognized for her craft, not her looks.

Coughlan has consistently spoken out against body shamers throughout her tenure on "Bridgerton." In a powerful Instagram post from 2022, she directly addressed her critics, pleading with them not to share their opinions about her body with her.

She highlighted the immense burden of receiving "thousands of opinions on how you look being sent directly to you every day."

Further elaborating on her stance to the Irish Times, she stated, "All I care about is the work. Bodies change, if I lose weight or gain weight or I do anything it’s no one’s business, all I care about is doing good acting and being judged on that."

In a notable act of defiance and empowerment, Coughlan revealed to Stylist in 2024, ahead of "Bridgerton" Season 3's release, that she intentionally chose to be "very naked" for a sex scene.

This decision was a direct response to online trolls who had criticized her weight. She collaborated closely with "Bridgerton" intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot on the scene, ensuring it aligned with her vision.

"I specifically asked for certain lines and moments to be included," Coughlan stated, calling the experience "amazingly empowering."

She viewed it as the "biggest ‘fuck you’ to all the conversation surrounding my body," and expressed a desire to look back at the moment at 80 years old and remember feeling "fucking hot."

This bold choice underscored her autonomy and celebrated her body on her own terms.