Wright Family Podcast Faces Backlash Over 'Degrading' Thong Bikini Discussion
Reality television personalities Jess and Carol Wright have ignited a fierce social media storm following controversial remarks about thong bikinis on their family podcast Wright At Home. The mother-daughter duo, aged 40 and 65 respectively, alongside youngest family member Natalya Wright, 25, engaged in a conversation that many online critics have labelled as degrading and hypocritical towards women's fashion choices.
Controversial Comments and Deleted Clip
The controversy erupted from a now-deleted Instagram clip where the Wright women expressed strong disapproval of thong bikinis. Jess Wright explicitly stated her disdain, declaring, "I can't stand how it's acceptable to walk around on the beach in a thong", while issuing a directive to women to "put it away". She further elaborated by sharing her husband William Kemp's perspective, quoting him as saying, "I cannot understand how she thinks that's attractive. Put it away and leave something to the imagination. Who wants to see up their butts?"
Carol Wright contributed to the discussion by revealing that her 69-year-old husband, Mark Wright Sr., also finds the look "unsexy". She recounted an anecdote from a holiday where they observed three women of varying figures wearing thong bikinis, with Mark Sr. commenting that the attire did not appear attractive. Carol emphasised, "Leave something to the imagination! It's not sexy", with Jess adding, "Please girls, wear bigger coverage bikini bottoms."
Social Media Eruption and Accusations of Hypocrisy
The podcast clip rapidly circulated on platforms like TikTok and Instagram, triggering an avalanche of defiant responses from social media users. Many individuals posted images of themselves in bikinis alongside captions such as "Jess, I do not dress for your husband", challenging the notion that women's clothing choices should cater to male opinions. A significant portion of the backlash focused on accusations of hypocrisy against Jess Wright, with users sharing numerous throwback photographs of her wearing similar revealing swimwear during her time on The Only Way Is Essex and at events like her 2021 hen do.
Critical comments highlighted this perceived double standard, with one user noting, "Did no one see Jess on Towie? She was always in this sort of bikini..." Another added, "Literally, pot kettle black and all that... one rule for everyone else and their own rules for them, double standards at its finest." Particular attention was drawn to an image of Jess at an airport wearing a fringed skirt with minimal bikini bottoms underneath, which circulated widely as evidence of her past attire.
Defensive Voices and Broader Implications
Amid the criticism, some social media users came to the defence of the Wright family, arguing that they were merely expressing personal opinions. One TikTok user commented, "I think folk are going over the top about this. They were simply saying they weren’t a fan of thongs... They never shamed anyone." This perspective suggested that the backlash might have been disproportionate to the original comments.
However, the discussion also raised broader issues about women supporting women and body autonomy. Many expressed disappointment at the prospect of women criticising other women's clothing choices, with one user stating, "It's disgusting women still have to deal with other women tearing them down for their clothing choices... Jess hunny, I do NOT dress for your husband." The incident underscored ongoing debates about fashion, freedom, and societal expectations.
Adding another layer to the controversy is Jess Wright's previous entrepreneurial venture, an underwear shop named With Love Jessica, which operated from 2011 to 2014. This background has led some to question the consistency of her current stance on swimwear and intimate apparel.
The Wright At Home podcast, launched in November last year, had garnered moderate attention prior to this incident. However, the thong bikini discussion has now propelled it into the spotlight, demonstrating how controversial topics can rapidly amplify online engagement, albeit with significant reputational risks. The family's comments continue to resonate across social media, highlighting the powerful intersection of celebrity influence, personal opinion, and digital public discourse.
