“Bridgerton” Star Yerin Ha Opens Up About Representing the Asian Community in Netflix Hit: 'We Deserve These Spaces' (Exclusive)

Bridgerton star Yerin Ha opens up about representing the Asian community as Sophie in the fourth season of the Netflix drama

NEED TO KNOW

• "We deserve these roles and spaces," Ha told PEOPLE at the Lunar New Year Gold Celebration on Wednesday, Feb. 12

• Bridgerton season 4 is available to stream on Netflix

Bridgerton'sYerin Hais speaking out about the importance of Asian representation.

Ha, 28, shared what it means to her to represent the Asian community in Netflix's beloved drama while speaking exclusively to PEOPLE at the Lunar New Year Gold Celebration hosted by Gold House in New York City on Wednesday, Feb. 12. TheBridgertonstar plays Sophie Baek, a maid who attends a masquerade ball and catches the eye of Benedict Bridgerton, in theseries fourth season.

"It's been really, really amazing and beautiful," Ha shares of being a part of the series' latest season. "I've been really caught up with a press tour, it has been really positive."

"I just feel so proud that I get to be the face of that and keep advocating for change and knowing that we deserve these roles and spaces," she adds.

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The fourth season ofBridgertonsees Sophie navigate class disparities and identity as her character falls in love with the wealthy Benedict, played byLuke Thompson. After meeting Sophie at the masquerade ball as the Lady in Silver, Benedict sets out on a quest to find the mystery woman.

For the Australian actress, working on the show has been filled with fun memories. "We just have fun every day," Ha says. "It was always a laugh on set, and everyone's a good time and a good chat."

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In an October 2024 interview withShondaland, Ha revealed the moment she discovered she landed the lead role in season 4. While she was having breakfast with her mom at a cafe in Korea, she received a phone call.

"She came out crying, and then after the phone call, she was like, 'We gotta go home. I think I have indigestion,' and so we left," Ha said. "It was really beautiful to kind of, I guess share that moment with her."

However, when Ha readAn Offer from a Gentleman, the book inJulia Quinn's series that follows Benedict's love story, the nerves set in. In her JanuaryInStylecover story, the actress revealed that the intimacy scenes between Benedict and Sophie made her nervous.

"Being a woman in this industry, it's a massive thing. People think that they have the right to talk about your body, how you look, and your external appearance," Ha said. "I've dealt with body image and that shame for a very, very long time — and I'm still working through it."

She continued, "But what's been really nice about Sophie is she's taught me a lot about self-love and self-acceptance. I'm still working on accepting myself for my entirety and being happy with who I am. In a world where we strive for perfection, what does that look like?"

Bridgertonseason 4 is available to stream on Netflix.

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February 28, 2026

“Bridgerton” Star Yerin Ha Opens Up About Representing the Asian Community in Netflix Hit: 'We Deserve These Spaces' (Exclusive)

Bridgerton star Yerin Ha opens up about representing the Asian community as Sophie in the fourth season of the Netflix ...

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WASHINGTON, Feb 28 (Reuters) - President ‌Donald ‌Trump is expected ​to give an address on ‌Saturday ⁠morning as the U.S. ⁠carries out ​strikes ​in ​Iran, Axios ‌reported, citing a U.S. official.

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The White House did ‌not ​immediately ​respond ​to ‌a request for ​comment.

(Reporting ​by Jasper Ward ​in ‌Washington; editing ​by Scott ​Malone)

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WASHINGTON − PresidentDonald Trumpannounced "major combat operations" in Iranaimed at wiping outTehran's ballistic missile program and debilitating Ayatollah Ali Khamenei's regime.

TheU.S. began carrying out strikes on Iranin coordination with Israel in the early morning of Saturday, Feb. 28, after nuclear negotiations failed to produce a deal that satisfied all of the Trump administration's concerns, including an end to its missile program.

"A short time ago, the United States military began major combat operations in Iran. Our objective is to defend the American people by eliminating imminent threats from the Iranian regime, a vicious group of very hard terrible people," Trump said in a video statement, which he delivered from his Mar-a-Lago resort in Florida.

Latest updates:US launches 'massive and ongoing' strikes on Iran, Trump says

The U.S. and Israel launched military strikes against Iran on Feb. 28. President Trump confirmed the operation in a televised address to the nation.

Pictured above, a plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.

Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> Smoke rises following an explosion after the U.S. and Israel reportedly launched an attack against Iran, in Tehran, Iran, February 28, 2026, in this screen grab taken from video.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" /> U.S. President Donald Trump pumps his fist after disembarking Air Force One at Palm Beach International Airport in West Palm Beach, Florida, U.S., February 27, 2026. Hours later, Trump made live comments about the military strikes he launched against Iran.

" style="max-width:100%; height:auto; border-radius:6px; margin:10px 0;" loading="lazy" />

Military strikes underway by US and Israel against Iran. See photos

The U.S. and Israellaunched military strikes against Iranon Feb. 28. President Trump confirmed the operation in a televised address to the nation.Pictured above, a plume of smoke rises following a reported explosion in Tehran on February 28, 2026. Two loud blasts were heard in Tehran on February 28 morning by AFP journalists, and two plumes of thick smoke were seen over the centre and east of the Iranian capital.Israel's defence ministry announced it had launched a "preemptive strike" on Iran as sirens sounded in Jerusalem and people across the country received phone alerts about an "extremely serious" threat.

The Trump administration has for weeks held negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program while also building up its military presence in the region. Tehran refused to abandon its nuclear ambitions, the U.S. president said, prompting the overnight airstrikes, which sent smoke plumes over Iran.

"They just wanted to practice evil," Trump saidin the videoposted on social media. "And we can't take it anymore."

In laying out his justification for the strikes, Trump said in his Feb. 28 address that Iran was seeking to rebuild its nuclear program.

Maps and graphics:US forces launch 'major combat operations' against Iran

The U.S.bombed Tehran's nuclear facilitieslast June. Trump said then that all three sites the U.S. hit had been obliterated, howevera U.S. intelligence assessmentfound that only one of the locations had been destroyed.

Trump said after the latest round of strikes that Iran was developing long-range missiles that threaten America's allies, U.S. troops stationed overseas and "could soon reach the American homeland." The latter assertion, which Trump also made in his State of the Union address, has been disputed by experts.

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He reviewed decades of antagonism from Iranian regime and its proxy forces and said they had been conducting a "mass terror" campaign against American forces in the region and international shippers.

"And we're not going to put up with it any longer," Trump said.

'American heroes may be lost'

Trump said the U.S. would "destroy" Iran's missiles, "annihilate" its navy and ensure proxy groups such as Hezbollah and Hamas are no longer able to destabilize the region. "And we will ensure that Iran does not obtain a nuclear weapon," Trump said.

"This regime will soon learn that no one should challenge the strength and might of the United States armed forces," Trump said.

It was not immediately clear when the video that was posted to Trump's social media account was taped. Trump wore a white "USA" hat in the video statement, while standing at a lectern bearing the presidential seal and two flags.

"The lives of courageous American heroes may be lost, and we may have casualties. That often happens in war. But we're doing this not for now, we're doing this for the future, and it is a noble mission," Trump said.

Trump urges Iranians to overthrow government

Trump urged the Iranian armed forces and police to lay down their weapons "and have complete immunity, or in the alternative, face certain death." He addressed protesters in Iran, who've face brutal oppression by the government, that the "hour of your freedom" is close at hand but they should shelter inside their homes while bombs are dropping.

"When we are finished, take over your government, it will be yours to take. This will be, probably, your only chance for generations," Trump said.

Trump told the Iranian people to seize control of their government while they can.

"No president was willing to do what I am willing to do tonight. Now you have a president who is giving you what you want, so let's see how you respond," Trump said. "This is the moment for action. Do not let it pass."

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY:Trump announces attack on Iran, says US will 'destroy' missiles

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February 28, 2026

Trump announces attack on Iran, says US will 'destroy' its missiles

WASHINGTON − PresidentDonald Trumpannounced "major combat operations" in Iranaimed at wiping outTehran's b...

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Feb 28 (Reuters) - Russian officials increasingly see ‌little reason to ‌continue U.S.-led peace talks ​with Ukraine unless Kyiv signals it is prepared to ‌give up ⁠territory as part of a ⁠settlement, Bloomberg News reported on Saturday, ​citing people ​familiar ​with the ‌matter.

Talks scheduled for next week will be critical to determining whether the sides ‌can move ​towards an ​agreement ​to end ‌the war, the report ​said.

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Reuters ​could not immediately verify the report.

(Reporting ​by ‌Mihika Sharma in ​Bengaluru; Editing by ​Kate Mayberry)

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