Celebrity3 min(s) read
Florence Pugh slams 'completely inappropriate' thing she was asked to do during sex scene
Florence Pugh, the 29-year-old actress known for her roles in Don't Worry Darling and Oppenheimer, recently spoke out about the challenges she’s faced while filming sex scenes. She expressed frustration with directors who have been inappropriate in their guidance, as well as concerns about the role intimacy coordinators can play on set.
In an interview on the Louis Theroux podcast, Florence opened up about her experiences in the film industry. She explained that while she is confident in her own body and has always been able to voice her boundaries, there were moments when directors crossed lines.
“There are plenty of things that I remember where it was just completely inappropriate to have asked me to do that,” she said. Despite these experiences, she acknowledged that her perspective on intimacy coordinators has evolved. “I’m now having fantastic experiences with intimacy coordinators,” she added.
Changing industry standards and the role of intimacy coordinators
Intimacy coordinators, introduced to the industry around 2018, became more prominent following the #MeToo movement. These professionals help ensure actors' safety and comfort during intimate scenes. Florence has had varied experiences with them.
While she praised skilled coordinators who enhance the portrayal of intimacy, she also recounted working with one who made her feel uncomfortable and awkward. “I’ve also had a s*** example where someone just made it so weird and so awkward and really wasn’t helpful and kind of was just like wanting to be a part of the set in a way that wasn't helpful, and I think it's a job that's still figuring itself out,” she said.
However, Florence’s view on intimacy coordinators has shifted for the better. She emphasized that the role of a good coordinator is to help actors understand the emotional and narrative context of a scene. “I was like, oh this is what I’ve been missing, understanding the dance of intimacy as opposed to just shooting a sex scene,” she explained. This process, according to Pugh, has led to a deeper understanding of the characters and the scene itself, making the experience more collaborative and respectful.
Pre-filming discussions and actor comfort on set
Florence also highlighted the positive changes that have occurred in how sex scenes are handled on film sets. Communication now takes place well in advance, with actors discussing their boundaries, including safe words and specific areas they don’t want to be touched. These conversations help remove the awkwardness and ensure actors feel more comfortable before stepping onto set. “Now what happens, conversation about the sex scenes happen weeks before and it becomes not embarrassing anymore,” she said.
In addition, Florence described how contracts and agreements about what nudity and camera angles will be shown are arranged beforehand. “What is allowed on camera and not, that is arranged with your law as that is put in your contract,” she explained. According to Pugh, this level of transparency and preparation ensures that the set remains respectful and that actors’ boundaries are protected.
Florence’s comments reflect broader industry changes that prioritize safety, respect, and communication on set, particularly in scenes of intimacy.