Key Takeaways
* Zendaya found the presence of an intimacy coordinator helpful during the filming of certain scenes in the upcoming film, Challengers.
* The actress further explained the activities involved in cultivating a sense of comfort among the co-stars.
* Co-star Mike Faist also felt the benefits of having an intimacy coordinator on set.
* While many stars appreciate the safety and comfort intimacy coordinators provide during intimate scenes, some including Sean Bean, Toni Collette, and Jennifer Aniston view them as unnecessary.
Zendaya Praises the Role of Intimacy Coordinators in Hollywood
Hollywood maven Zendaya, fresh from her acclaimed role in the Dune sequel, is set to appear in the forthcoming sports romance drama, Challengers. The film marks what the actress has described as the beginning of the next phase of her career – mature roles featuring hers in some intense and intimate scenes.
Intimacy Coordinators: A Necessity on Set?
Driven mainly by her latest production, Zendaya emphasized the need for intimacy coordinators on set, especially when filming sensitive scenes. Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, co-actors in Challengers, seemed to share her sentiment.
The story of Challengers unfolds through a former tennis player turned coach, Tashi Duncan, played by Zendaya, who enlists her husband’s participation in a Challenger Tour, paving the way for a confrontation with her ex-lover, Patrick.
Given the erotic and emotionally tense content of the film, the presence and work of an intimacy coordinator helped create a safe and comfortable environment, noted Zendaya. She went on to explain the bonding exercises the entire cast engaged in to foster mutual comfort.
In conversation with The Hollywood Reporter, she said, “We had an intimacy coordinator, which was fantastic and very helpful because it was vital we felt safe. I also spoke with my co-stars so we could find a way to feel at ease. We participated in activities such as tennis, outings, and rehearsals, which allowed us to connect and feel comfortable with each other.”
Chiefly agreeing with her was Mike Faist, who felt that spending quality time together allowed them to understand each other before they started filming. Despite the shared appreciation for the contribution of the intimacy coordinator, it is essential to remember that opinions on their involvement differ among stars in Hollywood.
Hollywood Divided Over the Use of Intimacy Coordinators
Just as Zendaya highlights the need for intimacy coordinators while filming intense scenes, some Hollywood stars don’t feel the same. Notable actors such as Sean Bean and Jennifer Aniston, among others, consider the accompaniment of an intimacy coordinator during shooting to be unnecessary.
Sean Bean, known for his role in Game of Thrones, argued that the use of an intimacy coordinator might interfere with the natural development of intimate scenes. On this, he commented, “It would spoil the spontaneity. I think lovers’ natural behavior would be ruined by someone transforming it into a mere technical exercise.”
Toni Collette shared a similar sentiment, revealing that the presence of an intimacy coordinator made her overly anxious, which in turn affected her performance. She admitted, “They were not helping, and I had to ask them to leave.”
Yet another renowned actress, Jennifer Aniston, decided against using an intimacy coordinator while filming intimate scenes with Jon Hamm in The Morning Show. Aniston suggested that guidance from a third person could elevate the discomfort, believing that their experience should be enough to navigate such scenes.
Despite these opposing views, Zendaya’s endorsement of intimacy coordinators prevails in the conversation, revealing the evolving dynamics in Hollywood. Challengers, featuring Zendaya and an ensemble that prioritizes comfort and safety in intense scenes, is slated for release on April 26, 2024.
The post “It was important that we felt safe”: Zendaya Champions the Need for Intimacy Coordinators in Hollywood That Has Faced Some Criticism from a Few Hollywood Stars appeared first on FandomWire.
