The Oscar-winning actress Reveals Why She Didn't Use an On-Set Intimacy Professional on New Film Her Upcoming Movie
Jennifer Lawrence has become part of the increasing number of actors who voice skepticism about the essential need of on-set intimacy professionals, revealing she opted against their assistance while working on her latest project Die My Love.
Understanding the Role of Intimacy Coordinators
On-set intimacy professionals emerged following the #MeToo movement to guarantee the security and ease of performers during scenes involving partial undress and intimate moments. Yet, several prominent actors including Gwyneth Paltrow and Sean Bean have voiced concerns about their involvement, with some claiming they disrupt creative flow.
Jennifer's On-Set Perspective
Speaking during the Las Culturistas podcast, while promoting her latest project where she portrays a woman experiencing mental health challenges, Lawrence stated: "We did not have an intimacy coordinator, or perhaps we had the option but didn't make use of their services... I felt entirely secure with Rob."
She continued: "He is not pervy and very committed to his partner. What we discussed primarily revolved around our children and relationships. There was never awkward tension or questions about personal boundaries."
"If there was even a hint of discomfort, I definitely would have requested an on-set professional. Many male actors get upset if you don't reciprocate their advances, and then the negative treatment starts. Rob was not like that."
Professional Validation and Continuing Discussion
Recently, industry platform IMDb officially recognized intimacy coordinators as a separate category, together with eleven other crew positions including dance direction, craft services, and puppetry. Before this, they were grouped under "miscellaneous staff" rather than having their specific credit.
Despite this recognition, intimacy coordinators continue to face public discussion suggesting they might not be industry essential, with well-known actors rejecting their participation. Lawrence's perspective mirrors that of Jennifer Aniston, who earlier shared she declined intimacy coordination while working with her co-star on their television series.
Jennifer's Perspective
"He proved to be such a gentleman – truly every move, between takes, 'Are you OK?" she recalled. "It was additionally very choreographed. That's the benefit of working with skilled editors, suitable lighting. So, minimal preparation is needed."
She added, "Production suggested, 'Professional verification if you're comfortable,' and I thought, 'Please, this is sufficiently uncomfortable!' We're seasoned actors – we can handle this. And we had Mimi on set."
Additional Cases and Professional Response
Despite featuring multiple sequences of intimate moments and regular undress, the award-winning film – the director's Oscar-winning film about a sex worker and a wealthy heir – proceeded without an intimacy coordinator.
Mikey Madison stated she and co-star Mark Eydelshteyn "decided it would be preferable to maintain privacy."
"My character is a professional in adult entertainment, and I had studied Sean's films and understood his dedication to realism. I was professionally ready for it. As an performer, I approached it as part of my job."
These statements generated significant backlash from intimacy coordinators, similar to the response to another actress's recent comments, who earlier this year shared that filming her new movie Marty Supreme marked her first encounter with the emerging role, which she "was unaware of previously."
Paltrow's Perspective
When asked about personal ease with a particular action alongside fellow actor Timothée Chalamet, Paltrow answered: "I belong to the era where you remove clothing, you assume position, the filming begins."
She continued that she and Chalamet then told the professional: "We think we're comfortable. You can step back.' I don't know how it is for newer performers, but... if someone is instructing, '{OK, then he's going to place his hand here,' I would feel, as an artist, very stifled by that."
Professional Reaction
After these statements, industry executive an experienced producer labeled them "irresponsible" and highlighted that most of those speaking against these professionals have established careers to command their own power and security on production locations.
"Occasionally an actor makes comments about whether they value on-set professionals or not," said Hollick. "Gwyneth Paltrow stated she came of age in a time when people in Hollywood 'removed clothing and got on with it'. As a powerful woman in Hollywood performing alongside a man considerably junior than her, while I'm sure Chalamet is comfortable, I considered it somewhat concerning remark."
Actor's Viewpoint
Michael Douglas, meanwhile, shared that he feels the primary responsibility during intimate sequences rests with the male actor, instead of a third party.
"In my experience, you assume duty as the male actor to make certain the female co-star is comfortable, you talk through completely," he explained. "You communicate, '{OK, I'm going to make contact there if that's agreeable'. It's very deliberate but seems like it's happening naturally, which is ideally what authentic performance looks like."