Nicola Coughlan reveals she once vowed to get cosmetic surgery to overcome teenage insecurities

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Nicola Coughlan has shared details about her biggest insecurity as a teenager, revealing that she was once preoccupied with changing her appearance.

The 'Bridgerton' star, 38, admitted she had considered cosmetic surgery, believing it was the only way to improve how she felt about herself.

Nicola Coughlan recalls her teenage insecurity: 'I thought it was so ugly'

Looking back, Nicola Coughlan expressed gratitude for not growing up in the age of social media, acknowledging how it could have heightened her insecurities.

The actress revealed that during her teenage years, she fixated on her forehead and even planned on having surgery.

"As a woman, there's always something new that you should suddenly be self-conscious about. I remember, as a teenager, being obsessed with my forehead," Coughlan told Grazia Magazine.

"I thought it was so ugly and vowed to get forehead reduction surgery when I was older," Coughlan added.

Nicola Coughlan urges people to separate Hollywood from reality: 'It's a fantasy'

Nicola Coughlan also spoke about how unrealistic beauty standards in Hollywood affect self-perception.

She advised people not to compare themselves to what they see on screens or red carpets.

"One of the biggest things I've gleaned from working with so many beauty pros on the set of 'Bridgerton' is that it's important to give yourself the odd reality check," she said, Daily Mail noted. 

"Everyone looks flawless, but of course we do! We get our make-up checked every three minutes, our hair is reset constantly. What you see [on the red carpet] is the work of a team of professionals. It's a fantasy," said Coughlan.

Nicola Coughlan goes Instagram official with boyfriend Jake Dunn

The revelation comes days after Nicola Coughlan celebrated a milestone in her personal life by going Instagram official with her boyfriend Jake Dunn on February 12.

She marked his 25th birthday with a heartfelt post, sharing a photo of him sitting on what appeared to be a set. "Happy Birthday ♥️," she wrote on the post.

After months of keeping their relationship private, the couple confirmed their romance in October when they were spotted returning home hand-in-hand from a pub in North London.

"They're absolutely besotted with each other and have so much fun together," friends of the couple told Daily Mail. 

Coughlan was overwhelmed after she was featured on Time magazine's cover.

"So overwhelming, such an honour, thank you @time for having me on your cover (!!!)," she posted.

She was also included in Time 100 for 2024. "An unbelievable and overwhelming honour to be included in the Time 100 for 2024," she wrote, adding "Couldn't be more grateful."