The Wright family has found itself embroiled in a social media storm after patriarch Mark Wright Sr., known as Big Mark, was caught liking racy photographs of OnlyFans star Chelsea Ferguson. This revelation comes just days after his wife Carol, daughter Jess, and youngest daughter Natalya publicly denounced thong bikinis as "unsexy" on their podcast, Wright At Home.
Family Podcast Sparks Controversy
During a recent episode of their podcast, launched in November 2023, Jess Wright, 40, her mother Carol, 65, and sister Natalya, 25, engaged in a heated discussion about beachwear. Jess declared she "can't stand how it's acceptable to walk around on the beach in a thong," while Carol insisted the look is "not sexy for men." Jess further quoted her husband, William Kemp, saying he "cannot understand how she thinks that's attractive" and urged women to "put it away and leave something to the imagination."
Carol then shared an anecdote from a holiday with her husband of 42 years, stating that Big Mark had observed three women in thong bikinis and told her, "It doesn't even look sexy." The clip from the podcast was later deleted from the show's Instagram page, but not before it was widely shared and criticized on TikTok.
OnlyFans Star Exposes Hypocrisy
Chelsea Ferguson, a content creator and founder of the adult site Admire Me, who was previously linked to Harry Styles, responded to the Wright family's comments with a viral TikTok video. In her post, she highlighted the apparent hypocrisy by showcasing that Big Mark had liked two of her revealing images: a selfie in nude underwear from August 2024 and a bikini-clad snap from August 2023.
"I don't know if Big Mark Wright got the memo on this one guys because he loves my scantily-clad photos," Chelsea said in the video. She captioned the post, "Big mark wright does not agree girlies," using hashtags like #JessWright and #ThongGate. The incident has been dubbed "ThongGate" by social media users.
Social Media Backlash and Accusations
The Wright family's comments triggered a significant backlash on TikTok, with many users accusing them of being "degrading and hypocritical." Critics were quick to point out Jess Wright's own history of wearing revealing bikinis during her time on The Only Way Is Essex (TOWIE), where she was an original cast member from 2010 until 2016.
One viral image resurfaced showing Jess at her 2021 hen do, walking through an airport in a fringed skirt with minimal bikini bottoms underneath. Users commented with phrases like "pot kettle black" and "double standards at its finest," highlighting the perceived inconsistency in the family's stance.
Other TikTok videos mocked the family's opinions, with one featuring two girls on a boat overlaid with text reading, "Oh better change my whole summer wardrobe because Jess Wright's husband and Dad think it's unacceptable and unattractive." Many users expressed disappointment at women criticizing other women's clothing choices, with one stating, "Its disgusting women still have to deal with other women tearing them down."
Family Background and Fallout
Big Mark, 69, a businessman who made cameo appearances on TOWIE, has been married to Carol for over four decades. Their children, Jess and Mark Jr., rose to fame on the ITV2 reality show, with Mark Jr. leaving after three seasons in 2011. The Wright At Home podcast has gained mild traction since its launch, but the bikini discussion has propelled it into viral notoriety.
The exposure of Big Mark's social media activity has added fuel to the fire, raising questions about the family's authenticity and sparking debates on body shaming and support among women. As the story continues to circulate online, it remains a stark example of how personal opinions can quickly escalate into public scandals in the digital age.
