Nicola Coughlan isn’t afraid to use her celebrity status for good
The public is understandably furious with Hollywood after the tone-deaf Met Gala took place this month. Seeing celebrities show off their wealth whilst refusing to speak out on Palestine felt like something from The Hunger Games. So few have used their platforms to call for a ceasefire with The Kardashians, Taylor Swift, and Zendaya all failing to acknowledge the horror unfolding in Gaza.
However, there are some, not enough but some, celebrities using their voices and one of them is Irish actress Nicola Coughlan.
The actress has been on the biggest press tour of her career so far as she takes on the lead role in Bridgerton, but she’s using the tour in a meaningful way and it’s reassuring to see.
It’s hard not to lose faith in celebrities when so many of them have failed to call for a ceasefire, but seeing Coughlan use her celebrity status to make even the smallest semblance of a difference is reassuring.
Celebrities are so removed from real life, something we’re all too aware of, but they also have a responsibility to use their status, wealth, and platforms for good.
“To me, it always becomes about supporting all innocent people”
Coughlan has worn a ceasefire pin to all of her Bridgerton press events, and raised vital funds through fundraisers.
She isn’t afraid to use her voice for good despite being told it could affect her career.
She told Teen Vogue: “I think it’s important to me because firstly, I’m a very privileged person.
“I’m so lucky I’ve gotten to this point in my career, and I’m privileged as a white woman, first off. Then the fact that I get to do the job I love and travel the world and meet amazing people, I feel a moral responsibility to give back.”
Coughlan added: “Even before I was on television, I was involved in different causes. I went campaigning door-to-door for marriage equality in Ireland, I went on marches for abortion rights. I’ve always cared about causes and social justice…
“To me, it always becomes about supporting all innocent people, which sounds oversimplified, but I think you’ve got to look at situations and just think, ‘Are we supporting innocent people no matter where they’re from, who they are?’ That’s my drive.”
Hollywood’s biggest celebrities should follow in the footsteps of the Galway actress. What she’s doing is worth far more than wearing some overpriced dress to an exclusive night at the Met.
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