Luke Newton and Antonia Roumelioti addressed online criticism of their relationship on September 5, with Roumelioti describing years of scrutiny and Newton urging people to stop using social media to spread hate. The statements arrived months after the couple made their romance Instagram official in May 2025. Roumelioti, 25, said online users have created false narratives about her and people close to her despite knowing virtually nothing about her life beyond her relationship with the 33-year-old Bridgerton actor. She also argued that cruel comments aimed at women can affect mental health, adding that she will not let strangers define her or disrupt her peace. The Comment Section Got a Reality Check Newton followed with a short message of his own, telling followers to choose kindness or simply use Instagram’s “not interested” option instead of spending time attacking someone. The Netflix star said people may eventually look back and question why they devoted so much energy to negativity. The backlash comes against the backdrop of Newton’s rapid rise after Bridgerton became a global hit. In a 2024 interview with WWD, Newton said fame initially felt overwhelming and that even reaching a more comfortable place in Australia did not fully prepare him for the intensity surrounding the show’s premiere. Newton and Roumelioti confirmed their romance in 2024 but have largely kept the relationship private. Their public response is less a dramatic relationship reveal than a firm reminder that following a celebrity online does not grant anyone permission to invent stories or turn a partner into a target.