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.

Forbes sparks FURY with opinion piece about Bridgerton’s ‘mixed-weight romance’ between Nicola Coughlan and Luke Newton. 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?’