🔗 Share this article

Jennifer Lawrence has joined the growing list of performers who voice skepticism about the necessity of intimacy coordinators, explaining she opted against their services while working on her new movie her upcoming film.

Examining the Role of Intimacy Coordinators

On-set intimacy professionals emerged following the #MeToo movement to ensure the safety and comfort of performers during sequences involving nudity and sexual content. Yet, numerous prominent performers including Gwyneth Paltrow and other established stars have expressed reservations about their involvement, with several suggesting they disrupt artistic process.

Lawrence's On-Set Perspective

Speaking during the Las Culturistas podcast, while promoting her latest project where she portrays a character experiencing postpartum disturbance, the actress commented: "We chose not to use such a professional, or perhaps we had the option but didn't make use of their services... I felt entirely secure with Robert."

She continued: "Rob is not pervy and very committed to his partner. Our conversations mostly focused on family life and personal connections. There was never uncomfortable moments or doubts about professional limits."

"Had there been even a hint of discomfort, I would have requested an intimacy coordinator. Many male performers take offense if you aren't interested in their attention, and then the negative treatment starts. Rob was not like that."

Industry Recognition and Continuing Discussion

Earlier this week, entertainment database IMDb officially recognized on-set intimacy professionals as a distinct credit, together with eleven other crew positions including choreography, catering, and puppet operation. Previously, they were grouped under "miscellaneous staff" rather than having their own designation.

Despite this recognition, these professionals still encounter media scrutiny suggesting they might not be industry essential, with high-profile performers rejecting their involvement. Jennifer's viewpoint mirrors that of Jennifer Aniston, who earlier revealed she declined intimacy coordination while filming alongside her co-star on their television series.

Aniston's Experience

"Jon was extremely respectful – truly each action, between takes, 'Are you OK?" she recalled. "It was additionally very choreographed. That's the advantage of working with talented directors, 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 experienced professionals – we can handle this. And we had our director present."

Additional Cases and Industry Reaction

Despite featuring numerous scenes of intimate moments and frequent nudity, Anora – the director's acclaimed film about a adult entertainer and a wealthy heir – filmed without an intimacy coordinator.

Mikey Madison stated she and co-star Mark Eydelshteyn "decided it would be preferable to keep it small."

"The role I play is a professional in adult entertainment, and I had studied the director's work and understood his commitment to authenticity. I was professionally ready for it. As an performer, I treated it as part of my job."

These statements generated significant backlash from industry professionals, similar to the response to Gwyneth Paltrow's recent comments, who recently revealed that working on her forthcoming project Marty Supreme marked her first encounter with the emerging role, which she "was unaware of previously."

Gwyneth's Viewpoint

During filming about comfort level with a specific move alongside fellow actor her younger counterpart, the actress responded: "I'm from the era where you remove clothing, you get in bed, the camera's on."

She continued that she and Chalamet then told the professional: "We think we're good. You can maintain distance.' I can't speak to 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, former Channel 4 drama head an experienced producer labeled them "concerning" and pointed out that the majority of those opposing intimacy coordinators have established careers to command their own power and security on film sets.

"Occasionally an performer shares opinions about whether they appreciate intimacy coordinators or not," commented the executive. "Gwyneth Paltrow mentioned she came of age in a time when industry professionals 'took our kit off and proceeded professionally'. As a powerful woman in Hollywood working with a actor much younger than her, while I'm sure he is comfortable, I considered it somewhat concerning statement."

Actor's Viewpoint

The veteran actor, in contrast, shared that he feels the primary responsibility during intimate sequences rests with the male actor, rather than a external professional.

"In my experience, you take responsibility as the man to ensure the woman is comfortable, you discuss it completely," he said. "You state, '{OK, I'm going to make contact there if that's agreeable'. It's very deliberate but appears like it's happening naturally, which is hopefully what authentic performance looks like."