Florence Pugh hits back at criticism of her relationship with Zach Braff

Photo credit: Getty Images
Photo credit: Getty Images

From Cosmopolitan

Little Women's Florence Pugh, 24, has hit back at criticism of her relationship with Zach Braff, 45, telling fans they don't get to choose who she loves.

The Oscar-nominated actress took to IGTV yesterday [9 April] to hit back at trolls who have taken issue with their 21 year age gap. Criticism began when Florence shared an Instagram post on Zach's birthday, to celebrate the Scrubs actor turning 45.

Along with a photo of him and their dog, she wrote, "Today we shall smile wider than the clouds are grey. April 6th and we’re celebrating hard! Happy Birthday wishes, boogies and cheers for this special person. Raise those bubbles and jiggle!"

Very quickly, the comments were littered with people trolling their age gap, and criticising the pair's relationship. Something which not only led to Florence turning off the Instagram comments, but sharing a four minute IGTV, telling fans to unfollow her if they think it's OK to be abusive on the internet.

In the video, she says, "On Monday I posted a photo in honour of Zach's birthday, and I posted a caption underneath. Within about eight minutes of the photo being posted, I had about 70% of the comments hurling abuse and being horrid, and basically bullying someone on my page. It's the first time in my entire Instagram life that I've had to turn off the comments on my page...

Photo credit: CosmopolitanUK
Photo credit: CosmopolitanUK

"I'm 24 years old. I have been working since I was 17, I've been earning money since I was 17. I became an adult when I was 18... I am 24 years old. I do not need you to tell me who I should and should not love. And I would never in my life, ever, tell anyone who they can and cannot love.

"It is not your place and really it has nothing to do with you. If those rules are something you do not like, please unfollow me. The abuse you throw at him is the abuse you throw at me, and I do not want those followers."

Many followers, including Ariana Grande and Olivia Wilde, have been supportive of Florence in the comments, with Ariana writing, "Oh I love and appreciate u so much. 'being hateful is not trendy' a new tattoo for my chest [sic]."

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