Most actresses have defended the inclusion of intimacy coordinators on film and television sets following the #Metoo scandal.
But Lily Allen has said they make performing sex scenes “weird” and believes constantly asking the other actor’s consent to touch them is “difficult.”
The Smile singer, 39, appeared in Sky’s six-part comedy-drama Dreamland last year, in which she shared a steamy scene with co-star Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
But speaking on her podcast Miss Me? Lily told her co-presenter and best friend Miquita Oliver: ‘I don’t know if I found it (intimacy coordination) useful personally. I would have preferred to just jump into the abyss and let it happen.
‘But what I found difficult is that you had to ask the person’s permission if they were okay with you putting your hand somewhere before you did it and I just couldn’t.
Lily Allen has said that the inclusion of intimacy coordinators on film and television sets makes performing sex scenes “weird” and believes that constantly asking the other actor’s consent to touch them is “difficult” (pictured in February ).
The Smile singer, 39, appeared in Sky’s six-part comedy-drama Dreamland (pictured) last year, in which she shared a steamy scene with co-star Kiell Smith-Bynoe.
But speaking on her podcast Miss Me? Lily told her co-host and best friend Miquita Oliver (pictured): “I would have preferred to just throw myself in the deep end and let it happen.”
‘I would say, “Kiell, are you happy that I put my hand on your…? I just didn’t understand the format, it was a bit mind-boggling.”
‘I thought, can we just kiss? It’s like you’re making it weird… this is making it weird.’
The singer-turned-actress’s views on intimacy coordinators are at odds with those of many Hollywood stars, from Dame Emma Thompson to Phoebe Dynevor, who have campaigned for their presence on set.
Dame Emma, 65, has previously spoken out, arguing that intimacy coordinators are “fantastically important” and that many artists speak in favor of their positive presence.
The Nanny McPhee star said: “People might say, ‘He made me feel comfortable, he made me feel safe, he made me feel like I could do this job.’
‘And no, you can just let it flow. There is a camera there and equipment. You’re not alone in a hotel room, you’re surrounded by a bunch of guys, mostly. So it’s not a comfortable situation, period.’
Meanwhile, Bridgerton star Phoebe, 29, had to perform several sex scenes in the steamy Netflix period drama alongside her co-star and heartthrob Rege-Jean Page.
She praised her intimacy coordinator, Lizzy Talbot, who made the experience safe because Phoebe would talk to her first if the director requested something different from the scene.
The singer-turned-actress’s views on intimacy coordinators are at odds with those of many Hollywood stars, from Dame Emma Thompson (pictured last year) to Phoebe Dynevor, who have campaigned for their presence on set .
Dame Emma, 65, has previously spoken out, arguing that intimacy coordinators are “fantastically important” and that many artists speak in favor of their positive presence (pictured Good Luck To You, Leo Grande) .
Meanwhile, Bridgerton star Phoebe, 29, had to perform several sex scenes in the steamy Netflix period drama alongside her co-star and heartthrob Rege-Jean Page (pictured together on the show).
She praised her intimacy coordinator, Lizzy Talbot, who made the experience safe because Phoebe would talk to her first if the director requested something different from the scene.
The actress, who played Daphne Bridgerton, said: “I think it would have been a difficult experience if Lizzy hadn’t been on set protecting me and looking after me.
“We did the intimate scenes as stunts; we blocked them out, so you have yoga balls between you and all kinds of things that never make you feel exposed in any way.
‘You always feel safe. He had rehearsed so much with Rege that we both knew what we were doing. I found it very practical.”
And husband and wife Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead even had an intimacy coordinator during the filming of A Gentleman in Moscow, and Ewan said they were vital to the crew, actors and director.
He told Radio Times: “It’s still necessary, because it’s also about the team, and it’s strange to be naked in front of people, it’s strange to be intimate in front of the camera.
‘If you were doing a dance scene, you would have a choreographer. He’s an important part of the job now, because he’s someone the director and the actors meet in the middle.’
And husband and wife Ewan McGregor and Mary Elizabeth Winstead even had an intimacy coordinator during the filming of A Gentleman in Moscow, and Ewan said they were vital to the crew, actors and director (pictured together in March) .
