Jess Wright and Family Issue Apology Over Thong Bikini Remarks
Reality television personality Jess Wright, along with her mother Carol and sister Natalya, has publicly apologised after receiving significant criticism for comments deemed 'degrading' towards women who wear thong bikinis. The controversy arose from a discussion on their family podcast, where the trio shared negative opinions about the swimwear.
Backlash Over Podcast Comments
During the episode titled 'Should thongs be allowed at the beach?', Jess Wright expressed her disapproval, stating she 'can't stand how it's acceptable to walk around a beach in a thong'. Natalya added that women wearing such bikinis should cover up with a sarong when bending over, while Carol remarked that she did not find the attire 'sexy for men to look at'. Jess further noted that her husband, William-Lee Kemp, 'hates' revealing bikini bottoms and advised women to 'put it away'.
The comments quickly sparked widespread backlash on social media, with many accusing the women of being tone-deaf and perpetuating harmful stereotypes. Critics argued that the remarks focused unnecessarily on the male gaze and undermined women's autonomy over their clothing choices.
Public Apology and Accountability
In response to the outcry, the trio posted an apology on their Instagram stories, writing: 'We've listened, we hear you and we want to say sorry. Our judgement was wrong and we take full accountability and will be better moving forward. Love Jess, Natalya and Carol.' This move aimed to address the concerns raised by their audience and acknowledge the impact of their words.
Mixed Reactions from Fans and Critics
While some supporters agreed with the Wright family's perspective, many others condemned the comments as divisive and outdated. One social media user highlighted, 'Have you considered that maybe girls who wear a thong on the beach simply don’t want a big white a**e when the rest of their bodies tan?' Another added, 'Tone deaf to even assume that women do this for the male gaze. Let people be.'
Further criticism emphasised the importance of body positivity, with one commenter stating, 'It’s disgusting women still have to deal with other women tearing them down for their clothing choices.' This reflects broader societal debates about fashion, freedom, and feminism.
Context of Previous Podcast Discussions
The incident follows earlier episodes where Carol Wright discussed her role as a mother-in-law, revealing she feels the need to 'hold back' because her son, Mark Wright, is married to actress Michelle Keegan. She explained that she avoids being overbearing to prevent being seen as an 'evil mother-in-law', though she admitted she might intervene if she believed a partner was unsuitable for her child.
This background adds layers to the family's public persona, showing their ongoing navigation of personal and media scrutiny.
The apology marks a significant moment for the Wright family as they seek to reconcile with their audience and promote more respectful discourse on body image and women's choices in the public eye.
