Simone Ashley shows up in style at F1 movie premiere after her role was removed; Reddit says, ‘Hope they cut her huge pay cheque'

Time of India

4 hours ago

Simone Ashley's role may have been scrapped from the movie F1, but that didn't stop her from owning the red carpet like an absolute professional. Turning up to the London premiere on June 23 with her head held high, the Bridgerton star proved she doesn't need screen time to steal the spotlight. Fans were quick to take note of her stunning appearance, flooding social media with praise for her class act, as photos and videos of her radiant red carpet walk went viral.
Simone Ashley's golden moment at the F1 red carpet premiere
Simone Ashley pulled up to the F1 premiere looking effortlessly striking in a custom gold Balmain gown that balanced edge with elegance. The structured peplum silhouette, complete with a metallic bodice and sharp sculptural details, shimmered under the flash of every camera.
simone ashley showing up to the f1 premiere despite being cut out the movie…shes so much better than me WE LOVE U PRINCESS pic.twitter.com/q2H8dh2eBf
The Sex Education star's look was polished but not overdone, with bronzed makeup, sleek straight hair, and a calm presence that did all the talking. Walking in solo, she posed with ease, greeted fans, and carried herself with the kind of confidence that explained why she's one of Hollywood's most sought-after rising stars at the moment.
Why Simone's scenes didn't make the final cut
Simone was cast in F1 in mid-2024 and filmed scenes across several real Grand Prix events, including the British Grand Prix. Her character was originally written with a full arc, but during post-production, director Joseph Kosinski decided to scale back her role due to runtime constraints.
Speaking to People, Kosinski explained that editing decisions like this are common, adding, 'Simone is an incredible talent, and I'd love to work with her again.' He also noted that he personally informed her of the change, emphasising the professionalism on both sides. In the final cut, she reportedly appears briefly in a non-speaking cameo.
Reddit reacts to Simone's appearance at the F1 premiere
While Simone has stayed quiet about being removed from the film, Reddit certainly hasn't. When photos of her F1 premiere appearance hit the popular Reddit forum r/Fauxmoi, users were quick to rally behind her. 'She's a better person than me,' one person wrote, praising her grace in showing up despite being cut from the film.
A second Redditor added, "Lmao, she really said, 'I'm going, and I'm going to be the hottest one there. Mission accomplished. I don't even need to see anyone else. incredible outfit, incredible face."
"She's a professional! I won't be watching the movie (that director is problematic and Brad Pitt sucks), but I hope she gets more opportunities; she deserves it," a third user said.
"Honestly, slay. This falls in line with my wanting her to do the earlier career Zendaya approach of being on red carpets she doesn't need to be at just to turn out a lewk and serve face," one user mentioned.
Another person stated, "I hope they cut her a huge cheque in order for her to show up. Her being cut made way more noise than they expected, I bet."
Others criticised makers, calling the decision 'shady' and 'disappointing' — not just because of what happened to Simone, but because it echoed a larger issue in Hollywood: how actors of colour continue to be sidelined, even in high-profile projects.
F1 follows a retired Formula One driver, played by Brad Pitt, who returns to the track to mentor a rising star. Directed by Joseph Kosinski (Top Gun: Maverick), the film blends high-stakes racing with a classic underdog redemption arc and will be released in theatres on June 27.