Mikey Madison’s remarks about intimacy coordinators in Anora spark outrage among fans and industry professionals alike
Los Angeles: So, Mikey Madison is in hot water right now. The actress, who’s been making waves with her role in Anora, recently stirred up some serious drama with her comments about intimacy coordinators.
At just 25, she’s already being talked about as a potential Oscar nominee. Anora, directed by Sean Baker, is a dramedy that dives into the life of a sex worker and her complicated relationship with a Russian oligarch’s son.
As awards season heats up, Madison has been busy promoting the film, which has already snagged some big awards, including the Palme d’Or at Cannes. During a chat with Pamela Anderson for Variety, things took a turn when they discussed the film’s intimate scenes.
Anderson asked if Madison had an intimacy coordinator on set, and Madison replied that they chose not to have one. She mentioned that it was a decision made between her and her co-star, Mark Eydelshteyn, along with the director and producer.
Well, that didn’t sit well with a lot of people online. Many fans felt that the choice to skip an intimacy coordinator was a huge mistake, arguing that it should be standard practice on set, especially for scenes that involve nudity.
One viewer even compared it to getting rid of HR at a company, saying it’s just not a good idea. Others chimed in, emphasizing that intimacy coordinators are there to protect everyone involved, not just the actors.
Madison tried to explain her reasoning, saying that the film has more “sex shots” than traditional scenes, and she wanted to keep it authentic to her character’s experience. But the backlash continued, with some people even pointing fingers at Sean Baker for not hiring an intimacy coordinator right off the bat.
In the midst of all this, some fans defended Madison, pointing out that actors should have a say in what they’re comfortable with. They argued that it’s not uncommon for directors and actors to agree on not using an intimacy coordinator.
As of now, Madison hasn’t responded to the uproar and is still out there promoting Anora. With Oscar nominations coming up, it’ll be interesting to see how this all plays out for her.