Bela’s Coming-Out Arc Steals Spotlight in ‘The Sex Lives of College Girls’ Finale

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — In a surprising twist, the Season 3 finale of HBO Max‘s “The Sex Lives of College Girls” delivered a heartfelt coming-out moment for Bela Malhotra (Amrit Kaur), one of the show’s central characters. The episode, which aired on Jan. 23, 2025, saw Bela embracing her queerness after a spontaneous kiss with her friend Hailey (Belle Adams) at a frat party.

The kiss, which occurred during a lighthearted conversation about campus life, marked a turning point for Bela, who had previously been portrayed as hyper-focused on heterosexual relationships. “I buy the chemistry,” said showrunner Justin Noble, who co-created the series with Mindy Kaling. “Bela’s journey reflects a version of coming out that’s equally common but less often represented on screen.”

Bela’s coming-out arc was further complicated when her mother unexpectedly attended her comedy show, where she had planned to publicly announce her bisexuality. Overwhelmed, Bela fumbled her performance but later found the courage to come out to her mother in a tender moment. “Her mom grabs her hand, kisses it, and wipes her tears,” Noble described. “It was a moment of pure love and acceptance.”

Meanwhile, Whitney (Alyah Chanelle Scott) led a student-athlete protest against the school’s Athletic Board, demanding better treatment for athletes. The protest culminated in a victory, with the board agreeing to regulate training hours and medical care. “Whitney’s story was inspired by real-life athletes like Naomi Osaka,” Noble explained. “It’s about standing up to systems that exploit young people.”

Kimberly (Pauline Chalamet) faced her own challenges, organizing a protest against a controversial speaker on campus. After being arrested for hacking into the university’s servers, she was bailed out by her ex-hookup Eli (Michael Provost), sparking speculation about a potential reconciliation.

Kacey (Gracie Lawrence), the youngest of the group, grappled with the aftermath of losing her virginity to her boyfriend Cooper (Roby Attal). After a breakup, she found solace in her friends, who reassured her that her experience was normal. “We wanted to tell a cautionary tale about the need to feel ready,” Noble said. “Kacey’s story is for anyone who’s ever felt pressured into something they weren’t prepared for.”

The finale ended on a high note, with the girls celebrating their individual triumphs. “This season was about growth,” Noble emphasized. “We chose joy over cliffhangers because these characters deserved a happy ending.”