Fifty Shades of Grey set off a Twitter row last night regarding the cost of housing in the US.
The book and movie series, which is set in Seattle, sees the lead character Anastasia Steele offered a room in the rich and mysterious Christian Grey’s penthouse apartment in exchange for regular S&M sex.
The real Seattle condo that is thought to have inspired the fictional one reportedly sold for $8million in 2016.
The New York-based author Jennifer Wright triggered the discussion by claiming that Anastasia’s excitement about the condo is “unrealistic”.
The most unrealistic part of 50 Shades Of Grey is that anyone could get so excited over a condo in Seattle.
— Jennifer Wright (@JenAshleyWright) January 23, 2018
She said: “I’m sorry — I’m just not going to do sex stuff I actively dislike in return for a two bedroom in a city mostly famous for Frasier Crane.”
I’m sorry — I’m just not going to do sex stuff I actively dislike in return for a two bedroom in a city mostly famous for Frasier Crane.
— Jennifer Wright (@JenAshleyWright) January 23, 2018
Seattle-based Blogger Geraldine DeRuiter then joined the conversation, detailing the difficulties she and her partner experienced securing their first home in the city.
I love you, but you don't understand how bad our housing market is.
— Geraldine (@everywhereist) January 23, 2018
Things that had to happen for us to afford us a down payment in Seattle:
-saved up for a decade
-We both got book deals
-husband sold a chunk of stock
-my dad died and left us moneyGirl, seriously, so many people would do sex stuff to get a 2-bedroom in this town.
— Geraldine (@everywhereist) January 23, 2018
This house sold for a million dollars AND THEY DIDN'T EVEN PUT PHOTOS OF THE INTERIOR UP. The garage is falling apart. https://t.co/UGH0SBbRtZ
— Geraldine (@everywhereist) January 23, 2018
After several others from across other expensive cities chimed in, DeReuiter wrote: “I think the point that we can all agree on is that we’re not gonna judge someone for doing sex stuff in exchange for a break on their rent.”
Wright admitted she had learnt a lot about the Seattle housing market from the discussion.
Guys, I did not expect to learn so much about the Seattle market today and I’m glad I did.
— Jennifer Wright (@JenAshleyWright) January 24, 2018
Fifty Shades Freed, the latest film in the Fifty Shades franchise, is set for release on the 9th February.
Former One Direction-star-turned-soloist Liam Payne has collaborated with Rita Ora on the promotional track, ‘For You’.