Claudia Jessie, the actress known for her portrayal of the delightfully unconventional Eloise Bridgerton, recently sent the internet into a tizzy. And no, it wasn't another scandalous romance from the ton, but rather a hilariously suggestive joke that left even the unflappable Stephen Colbert momentarily speechless.
The Case of the "Summer Muff"
It all went down on "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert," where Jessie was promoting the highly anticipated third season of "Bridgerton.
" Colbert, ever the charmer, kicked things off by asking Jessie if filming the new season had been "easy" given her experience as a main character since the show's debut.
"Not exactly," Jessie chuckled, her eyes twinkling with mischief. "You see, I may have had a slight mishap on set."
She went on to explain how, in a burst of early-morning enthusiasm, she'd decided to treat the cast and crew to an impromptu high kick.
The problem? She was already dressed in Eloise's signature Regency-era finery, complete with a voluminous, ground-length skirt.
"Picture this," Jessie said, her voice taking on a dramatic flair. "The cameras haven't even started rolling, everyone's in a fantastic mood, and I, in my infinite wisdom, decide a celebratory high kick is in order. Needless to say, gravity and my skirt did not see eye-to-eye."
The result was less a graceful ballet move and more a spectacular tumble, culminating in a broken wrist for the actress.
"Thankfully," Jessie quipped, "the 'Bridgerton' set comes equipped with a medic for clumsy actresses prone to spontaneous high kicks."
Hiding a Medical Mishap in Plain Sight
A broken wrist, however, presented a significant challenge for a period drama where wristwatches were yet to be invented. The costume department, in a stroke of genius, devised a solution: a large, fluffy muff to conceal Jessie's cast.
Never mind that Season 3 of "Bridgerton" takes place during the summer, a time when fur accessories are typically relegated to storage. Historical accuracy, it seemed, was no match for the comedic potential of a "summer muff."
And so, Eloise Bridgerton, champion of female independence and unconventional thinking, found herself sporting a winter accessory in the height of summer, much to the amusement of her fellow cast members.
"Oh, we had a field day with the 'summer muff,'" Jessie admitted, a mischievous grin spreading across her face.
A Joke That Would Make Lady Whistledown Blush
But it was during the closing moments of the interview that Jessie delivered the punchline heard around the internet. As Colbert held up a still image of Eloise strolling through a sunny garden, "summer muff" prominently displayed, he turned to Jessie with a twinkle in his eye.
"So tell me, Claudia," he asked, "is there such a thing as a 'summer muff,' or did the 'Bridgerton' costume department just invent it for this occasion?"
Jessie, with impeccable comedic timing, pointed at the photo and declared, "Oh, it's a real thing. In fact, as you can see, I'm elbow-deep in 'summer muff' right there. If you will."
A beat of silence. Then, a wave of realization washed over Colbert's face as the double entendre landed. His eyes widened, and he burst into laughter, burying his face in his hands for a moment before composing himself.
"Well played, Claudia, well played," he managed between chuckles. "I believe that's also the title of a Stormy Daniels movie."
And with that, Claudia Jessie, much like her on-screen counterpart Eloise Bridgerton, proved that she's not afraid to push boundaries, challenge expectations, and deliver a perfectly timed, if slightly scandalous, joke. One thing's for sure: this is one "Bridgerton" interview that won't be forgotten anytime soon.
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