Did you know that the last Black-led rom-com to hit the big screen before You, Me and Tuscany was Think Like a Man back in 2012? Fourteen years.
Let that sit for a second. And yet here we are in 2026 with a Black-led rom-com produced by Will Packer, set in Tuscany, starring Halle Bailey and Regé-Jean Page, and doing its thing at theaters across the United States. So yes, we showed up. And yes, we have thoughts.
Because while the film delivers on romance and escapism, it also quietly pushes forward something Hollywood still struggles with: plus size representation in film.
A few weeks before You, Me and Tuscany opened, filmmaker Nina Lee shared something that had people pausing mid-scroll.
She revealed that she had met with a studio about her already-finished rom-com and was told they would not buy it until they saw how You, Me and Tuscany performed. She met with another exec about a separate script and heard the same thing. “A film that has nothing to do with me could quite literally change my life,” she wrote.
1. Met with a studio about my already shot romcom and they won’t buy it until They see how You, Me & Tuscany does
2. Met with an exec about a romance script I have, they won’t buy it until They see how You, Me & Tuscany does
Studios were waiting to see how this film performed before making decisions on other rom-coms. Not similar films. Not connected projects.
Just… this one.
One movie carrying the weight of an entire genre.
Within 24 hours, her post picked up traction and sparked the kind of conversation that always feels like it should have happened years ago. Why does one Black-led rom-com have to prove viability for everyone else?
And still, the message underneath it all was clear.
Show up.
As Will Packer put it, “Hollywood watches and then they react. You vote with your dollars.”
The stakes were real, the conversation was necessary, and that whole “there’s room for everybody” energy? Still very much on the table.
A Black-Led Rom-Com That Actually Delivered
As a Black woman who has been learning Italian for 506 days and counting, spending those evenings doing Duolingo and daydreaming about cobblestone streets in Florence, this movie was already personal.
The Nina Lee conversation? That just added a little more intention to my solo theater date.
And I’m happy to report: it delivered.
You, Me and Tuscany follows Anna, played by Halle Bailey, a young cook who ends up in a Tuscan villa and falls into an unexpected romance with Michael, played by Regé-Jean Page.
The chemistry is easy. The setting is exactly what you want it to be. And Halle captures something really beautiful about reaching for more when you’re not quite sure how to ask for it yet.
But let’s be real for a second.
The character who had the entire theater reacting?
Francesa.
Image via Universal Pictures
Enter Stella Pecollo
Played by Stella Pecollo, Francesa is Marcello’s cousin. She sweeps into every scene in the most joyful, chaotic, whimsically dressed way possible. She is loud in the best sense of the word. She is funny without trying to be.
She reminded me immediately of my favorite cousin, the one who does not check whether it is an appropriate moment before making you cry laughing. The audience around me felt it too. I could hear them.
So naturally, we had to talk to Stella.
TCF Sits Down with Stella Pec0llo
Stella Pec0llo is an Italian actress and singer who has built her career across Italy, the UK, and now the United States. She is also a body positive advocate, author, and, as it turns out, the kind of woman who makes you feel like you have known her forever about four minutes into a conversation.
From Italy, With Joy
Stella Pecollo’s journey into entertainment started early.
“Singing was my first passion. I’ve been singing since I was born, probably,” she told us, laughing.
Acting followed when she was around 15 or 16, and the two have coexisted ever since. “I’ve done short films, theater, plays, musical theater,” she said, “and then it got more serious. Movies, feature films, TV series, leading roles.”
She has worked primarily in Italy, spent years in the UK, and has now made her mark on American audiences through You, Me and Tuscany. And the response has been a lot to take in, in the best way.
She was the com in Romcom. I love her https://t.co/S1yrpiUIoh
And if there’s one thing she keeps coming back to, it’s this:
Joy.
“I’m getting so many messages from people. They tell me that I make them laugh. And that’s what we need always, and especially right now. Joy.”
Say it louder, Stella.
How Francesa Found Her
Here is where it gets good because the story of how Stella landed the role of Francesa is almost as delightful as the character herself.
Director Kat Coiro was deep in pre-production in Rome when she sat down with the film’s Oscar-nominated costume designer Massimo Cantini Parrini. They were still looking to fill a couple of roles when he simply pulled up Stella’s Instagram and said essentially what about her? “She was like ‘Oh my God she looks perfect for the role let me audition her,’” Stella told us.
After sending two auditions for two different roles she heard back within 24 hours. “When this thing happens you just know it’s going to be magical.”
On their first Zoom call Coiro said something that stuck. “She told me ‘I’m so happy that you are Italian but you also understand the comedy timing of the American script.’ Because every country has a different comedy timing and I’m so used to watching American comedy that I probably have it in me by now.”
What set this collaboration apart though was what came next. Rather than handing Stella a final script and sending her on her way Coiro opened the floor.
“She straight away opened up a conversation where she wanted my feedback on the role on everything Italian in the movie. She really wanted everything to be authentic.”
That kind of directorial generosity is not common. And what Stella did with that invitation? That is where it gets really good.
Flipping the Script on Plus Size Representation in Film
This is where Stella Pecollo’s impact goes beyond performance and directly into changing the conversation around plus size representation in film.
Stella Pecollo is a body positive advocate and activist and she brought that part of herself directly into the room when she sat down with Coiro to discuss Francesa’s storyline. An early draft of the script had Francesa’s husband potentially cheating on her. Stella did not love it.
“I don’t love the idea of portraying a woman that has that type of journey especially with my body type,” she said. “And she was like ‘You know what I totally agree with you.’”
They rewrote it together from scratch. The plumber subplot that audiences got to enjoy? That was not in the original script. “The director and myself created it from scratch because she was listening to me and gave me the chance to express my concerns regarding the representation of my role as a woman and also as a plus size woman.”
For anyone who has spent years watching plus size women in film get reduced to the butt of a joke or heartbroken best friend or character whose weight is the entire plot point this matters.
The Vice article noted , we are still waiting for Hollywood to consistently get this right. Francesa is proof that it is possible.
“It’s never mentioned in the movie anything about my size anything about my body,” Stella shared.“My character enjoys food she enjoys passion she enjoys life she’s full of life bubbly…and that’s it. She’s just a woman having her life.”
A woman having her life.
Not the joke. Not the lesson. Not the transformation. Just… living.
We love to see it.
The Clothes Make the Cousin
You cannot talk about Francesa without talking about her wardrobe. Massimo Cantini Parrini designed every lookandthe result is an on-screen wardrobe that is a whole mood. Every time Francesa walks into a roomthe colors are doing something.The patterns are saying something.The energy is non-negotiable.
Stella’s personal favorite?The yellow floral dress Francesa wears when she first meets Halle’s character in kitchen.“It’s short.It has nice V-neck.And it’s also comfortable which helps because you film many many hours those clothes.”
But what really made wardrobe feel meaningful how much already belonged who Stella outside set.“I spent many years hiding myself black clothes no colors no patterns so I could look skinnier,” she said.“I’m going do opposite now.And Francesa same.Enjoying colors patterns fun.”
There it is.Francesa was not just character.She was declaration.
“Io Sono Bella”: The Book That Started It All
Stella Pecollo’s work space didn’t start with You,MeandTuscany .
Away from screenStella been doing work years.In2020she published memoir Italy calledIo Sono Bella(I Am Beautiful).
The book covers journey toward self acceptance touching love food relationships eating disorder navigated along way.
Get this! publishing house editor read Vanity Fair Italy interview gave while filming Italian TV series.His pitch?Your story needs told.Stella’s response?It already is.She had preparing one-woman show same topics material sitting there ready go.
She now working toward bringing book English speaking audiences.Her reasoning why needed right now hits.“They’re trying sell us all these new products lose weight,” she said.“And yeah this discussion we still need have.”
She also made clear book not just plus size women.“Every single person has some kind insecurity about their body need kind understand okay.We not perfect.Nobody perfect.”
Nobody perfect.It’s song.But also just true.
What Coming Next
There projects works Stella not able name yet but shared currently writing two screenplays inspired byIo Sono Bella, collaborating writers both Italy United States.“It’s also challenge write language not my native language,” she said.“So very stimulating very exciting.”
And yes.She heard calls sequelYou,Me&Tuscany .We all heard them.On Threads TikTok group chats.People already planning trilogy.
“Fingers crossed,” Stella said.
Fingers crossed indeed.
The Legacy
The asked what wants leave behind.Stella didn’t hesitate.
Stella did not need long answer.
Image via Instagram @stella_pecollo
“The main legacy want leave people especially women really truly deeply love themselves first before anything else.When see woman blossoming becoming best version herself because she’s diet but because started loving herself me it’s most beautiful thing life.”
If Francesa any measure what Stella Pecollo brings every room walks into world lucky decided bring herself this one.
You,Me&Tuscany is theaters now.Go see Go see again.And while you’re at follow Stella Pecollo Instagram keep your eyes everything does next.
Sarah Parker is a research analyst and content contributor with a strong interest in business strategy, organizational behavior, and social development. With a background in sociology and public policy, she focuses on exploring the intersection between research and real-world application. Sarah regularly contributes articles that bridge academic insights and practical relevance, aiming to foster critical thinking and innovation across sectors.
