Aubrey Plaza addresses fans’ biggest criticism of her lesbian Christmas rom-com Happiest Season
Aubrey Plaza and Kristen Stewart in Happiest Season. (Hulu)
When Happiest Season was released in November, there was huge excitement within the LGBT+ community.
But for many, that excitement quickly turned to dismay when they watched the film and saw – major spoiler alert – that Kristen Stewart’s character Abby ends up with her problematic girlfriend Harper (Mackenzie Davis).
There is a moment somewhere in the middle of Happiest Season when it feels like Abby is about to walk off into the wintry sunset with Riley (Aubrey Plaza) instead, who is clearly a better person in almost every conceivable way.
But it doesn’t come to fruition – and a lot of fans are very, very upset. So upset, in fact, that many have taken to social media to furiously question why Abby didn’t end up with Riley,
Aubrey Plaza has apparently seen the intense criticism – and she agrees with it, too.
Aubrey Plaza wanted to end up with Kristen Stewart in Happiest Season.
The Parks and Recreation star was asked about the fan reaction on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on 4 December – and she didn’t hold back.
Colbert asked: “Do you have a message for the fans who think that you should have ended up with Kristen Stewart?”
Plaza replied: “Look, I wanted it too, OK, I’m not gonna lie. I wanted it too. I wanted it very badly, but I didn’t write the thing, and I didn’t direct the thing, I just showed up, did my job, and got out of there,” she said.
“There are some things you just don’t have control over, but I’m not giving up hope for Riley. I think that she’s got a bright future ahead,” she added.
There was huge excitement among LGBT+ viewers when Happiest Season was released in November, becoming the first lesbian Christmas rom-com by a major studio.
Plenty were furious when they saw Abby end up with Harper when Riley was right there in the background, acting as a shoulder for Abby to cry on.
Clea DuVall, the film’s writer and director, also addressed the fan backlash in an interview with Elle.
“Aubrey Plaza is amazing. She’s such a babe. I don’t blame anyone for wanting to see more of her, but I think the debate is less about the film and more about your philosophy on forgiveness and growth,” DuVall said.
“You don’t go through a hard couple of days after a long period of time, meet a stranger, and cut and run. Even if that person is Aubrey Plaza.”
