Warning: Spoilers for The Sex Live of College Girls season 3 ahead!The Sex Lives of College Girlsshowrunner Justin Noble explains Bela Malhotra’s season 3 ending. Created by Mindy Kaling and Justin Noble, the series follows the lives of four freshmen roommates at the fictional Essex College in Vermont as they embark on a number of sexually-charged hijinks and learn more about themselves. It features a talented cast, including Pauline Chalamet, Amrit Kaur, Gracie Lawrence, Alyah Chanelle Scott, and Ilia Isorelýs Paulino. Season 3 recently came to a close, but it is not yet clear whetherThe Sex Lives of College Girlswill receive a season 4.
During an interview withThe Wrap,Noble explained that Bela’s (Kaur) arc was made to contrast with Leighton’s (ReneéRapp) storyline, where she entered college with a clear sense of self. In contrast, Bela, who comes out as bisexual in the season 3 finale after she kisses Haley (Belle Adams), represents someone discovering her queerness during college. This comes after her breakup with Eric in season 2 due to her infidelity. Check out Noble’s interview below:
Bela has always been this character who’s down to try anything, do anything. I wanted Bella to be a counterbalance to the story we did with Leighton (Reneé Rapp) — Leighton came into college knowing exactly who she was. But she was closeted, and that’s what made it tough.Bela is not that person. She’s the form of queer representation where she’s discovering it on her own in real time as we watch.
Coming out stories are usually not for the person who came out at 14 and had an easy time doing it — it’s always like that kid who lives in an area that’s not super accepting whose parents are saying off-putting things as TV show characters are playing in front of them or on the news, and that it could be a little difficult for them to come out.Our show and other shows can be a little bit of a road map of watching someone do it, watching someone honor that fear that they might have, that struggle that they might have, but then getting through it and giving a happy ending, because God who wants to see a bad one?
What This Means For The Sex Lives of College Girls
Bela’s Sexuality Reveal Adds Relatability To The Sex Lives Of College Girls
Bela’s coming-out reflectsThe Sex Lives of College Girls' commitment to depicting accurate experiences of those within the LGBTQ+ community. In contrast toReneé Rapp’s Leighton, who already understood her sexuality, Bela’s arc emphasizes a different route of self-exploration. As the series continues to explore sexual identity, depictingBela’s discovery of her bisexuality suggests it will become a major plotline in the potential season 4.
As such, the storyline is likely to continue pushing boundaries by examining the queer experiences of its characters, keeping in line withThe Sex Lives of College Girls' overall ethos of inclusivity.
Also, this development reflectsThe Sex Lives of College Girls' commitment to portraying the struggles and growth of young adults comprehensively. Throughout all three seasons,the series' portrayal of these themes provided a relatable look at the ups and downs of young adulthood.As the series progresses, Bela’s journey will likely intertwine with the ongoing narrative of the otherSex Lives of College Girlscharacters' identities.
From a production standpoint, the inclusion of Bela’s bisexuality speaks to the creative direction of the show, which aims to represent diverse LGBTQ+ experiences. This is especially important within the context of the characters' individual journeys. As such, the storylineis likely to continue pushing boundaries by examining the queer experiences of its characters, keeping in line withThe Sex Lives of College Girls' overall ethos of inclusivity.
Our Take On Bela’s Sexuality In The Sex Lives Of College Girls
Bela’s New Development Could Help Some Viewers Feel Seen
Bela’s evolving sexuality adds a realistic perspective toThe Sex Lives of College Girls.By showcasing the complexities of Bela’s experience, the show expandsits representation of LGBTQ+ narratives, offering an insightful portrayal of the diverse paths to self-acceptance. Leighton’s exit in the early episodes of season 3 caused some to worry that the series would lose its queer representation, but Bela’s arc has become a delightful surprise that will hopefully be explored further in future seasons, should Max renew the series.
