Simone Ashley Shines at F1 European Premiere After Role Cut
A gilded echo cascaded across the London red carpet as Simone Ashley, cloaked in Balmain gold, stepped into the F1 European premiere’s glare. In this symphony of flashing bulbs and fevered cheers, she transformed a cinematic slight into a radiant triumph. The Bridgerton star, whose storyline was significantly trimmed from the new Formula 1 film, emerged not as a silent shadow but as the very embodiment of resilience and style.
The whispers began days before June 23, when Joseph Kosinski—director of the high-octane drama starring Brad Pitt and Damson Idris—told People that “two or three storylines ultimately didn’t make it into the final cut.” Among those was Simone’s arc, reduced to a non-speaking cameo. But if art imitates adversity, then Simone’s golden Balmain FW25 gown, its peplum waist sculpted like ornate armor and crocodile-embossed pencil skirt catching every beam, became her unspoken rebuttal. As E! Online noted, she was the evening’s diamond, undimmed by the film’s editorial snip.
When asked about the decision, Kosinski effused genuine admiration, calling Simone “an incredible talent, incredible actress, incredible singer,” and voicing his eagerness to collaborate again. Fans who bristled at the news found solace in his words and in Simone’s gracious response. On Instagram June 24, she penned, “It was a joy to reunite with the cast and crew, and to celebrate. I’ve come away with friendships and memories I’ll treasure forever.” Her public gratitude echoed her earlier confession to Elle: “I have a very small part, but I’m grateful to be in that movie. I got to experience many Grands Prix. I don’t think I’ll ever do anything like that again.”
This fleeting screen presence belies years of dedication. In a March chat with Who What Wear, Simone revealed she’d been immersed in the racing world “before Bridgerton even came out,” drawn to its live-theater pulse, the roar of engines, the explosion of fireworks. That once-in-a-lifetime rush translated into a cinematic thrill, even if her lines fell victim to time constraints.
Yet the evening’s real story unfolded beneath the lights, where her laughter and couture fusion eclipsed any sense of loss. Striding past co-stars Kerry Condon and Damson Idris, Simone owned every frame—proof that elegance, like speed, demands both presence and poise. She wore her curtailed role as a badge of honor, a reminder that sometimes the grandest narratives lie not in dialogue but in the silent poetry of posture and gaze.
As the engines quiet and critics ready their pens, Simone’s star continues its steady climb. A bittersweet ending, or merely the beginning?
Sources: Celebrity Storm and E! Online, People, Elle, Who What Wear
Attribution: Creative Commons Licensed
