The Oscar-winning actress Reveals Why She Declined an Intimacy Coordinator on Latest Project Die My Love

The acclaimed actress has joined the growing list of actors who express doubts about the necessity of intimacy coordinators, explaining she opted against their assistance while working on her new movie Die My Love.

Understanding the Purpose of Intimacy Coordinators

On-set intimacy professionals emerged following the #MeToo movement to guarantee the safety and comfort of performers during sequences involving partial undress and intimate moments. Yet, numerous well-known performers including Gwyneth Paltrow and Sean Bean have voiced concerns about their presence, with several suggesting they interfere with creative flow.

Lawrence's On-Set Perspective

Speaking during the Las Culturistas podcast, while promoting her new film where she portrays a character experiencing mental health challenges, Lawrence stated: "We chose not to use an intimacy coordinator, or perhaps we had the option but didn't make use of their services... I felt completely safe with Rob."

She elaborated: "Rob is completely professional and very committed to Suki Waterhouse. What we discussed primarily revolved around our children and personal connections. There was never awkward tension or questions about personal boundaries."

"Had there been the slightest indication of unease, I would have requested an intimacy coordinator. Many male performers take offense if you aren't interested in their attention, and subsequently the retaliation starts. Rob was not like that."

Industry Recognition and Ongoing Debate

Earlier this week, industry platform IMDb formally acknowledged on-set intimacy professionals as a distinct credit, alongside multiple additional crew positions including choreography, catering, and puppetry. Before this, they were categorized as "miscellaneous staff" rather than having their specific credit.

Notwithstanding this validation, intimacy coordinators continue to face media scrutiny implying they might not be required standards, with well-known actors declining their participation. Jennifer's viewpoint echoes that of Jennifer Aniston, who previously shared she refused professional supervision while filming alongside her co-star on The Morning Show.

Jennifer's Perspective

"Jon was such a gentleman – I mean every move, between takes, 'You comfortable?'" she remembered. "The scenes were also very choreographed. That's the advantage of working with skilled editors, appropriate music. So, you don't prepare."

Aniston continued, "Production suggested, 'Having someone check if you're comfortable,' and I responded, 'Honestly, this is awkward enough!' We're seasoned actors – we can handle this. And we had Mimi on set."

Additional Cases and Professional Response

Despite featuring numerous scenes of sexual activity and frequent nudity, the award-winning film – Sean Baker's Oscar-winning project about a adult entertainer and a Russian oligarch's son – filmed without an intimacy coordinator.

The film's star stated she and co-star her screen partner "decided it would be best to maintain privacy."

"My character is a sex worker, and I had researched Sean's films and recognized his dedication to realism. I was mentally prepared for it. As an performer, I approached it as part of my job."

These statements generated strong reactions from intimacy coordinators, mirroring the response to Gwyneth Paltrow's recent comments, who recently shared that working on her new movie Marty Supreme marked her first encounter with the relatively new profession, which she "was unaware of previously."

Paltrow's Perspective

When asked about comfort level with a particular action alongside fellow actor her younger counterpart, Paltrow responded: "I belong to the era where you get naked, you get in bed, the filming begins."

Paltrow added that she and Chalamet then informed the coordinator: "We believe we're comfortable. You can step back.' I can't speak to how it is for emerging actors, 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."

Industry Response

Following these comments, industry executive an experienced producer described them as "concerning" and pointed out that most of those speaking against these professionals have established careers to command their own power and security on production locations.

"Periodically an performer shares opinions about whether they value intimacy coordinators or not," said Hollick. "The actress mentioned she grew up in a period when industry professionals 'took our kit off and got on with it'. As a established actress in Hollywood working with a man considerably junior than her, although likely he is comfortable, I considered it quite an irresponsible statement."

Male Perspective

The veteran actor, in contrast, shared that he believes the primary responsibility during heterosexual sex scenes falls on the male actor, instead of a external professional.

"Based on my career, you take responsibility as the male actor to ensure the female co-star is comfortable, you discuss it thoroughly," he said. "You state, '{OK, I'm going to make contact there if that's agreeable'. It's extremely careful but seems like it's occurring organically, which is ideally what authentic performance appears as."

Melissa Osborn
Melissa Osborn

A passionate gaming enthusiast with over a decade of experience in reviewing online casinos and sharing winning strategies.