Jennifer Aniston, the 54-year-old Hollywood legend, recently discussed her experience filming an intimate scene with Jon Hamm for the Apple TV+ series "The Morning Show." Surprisingly, the actress revealed that she was unfamiliar with the concept of an intimacy coordinator, a professional who ensures intimate scenes are handled in a safe and comfortable manner.
"Old school" as she is, Aniston questioned the necessity of an intimacy coordinator, quipping, "They asked if someone would be asking me if I'm okay, and I thought that was embarrassing enough!" She shared her confidence in her abilities, along with Hamm's, to manage the situation without additional help. "We're experienced, we can handle it," she declared.
Intimacy coordinators play a crucial role in the film industry, supporting directors and actors during the creation of intimate scenes. Their ultimate goal is to create a safe environment that prioritizes the well-being and comfort of everyone involved. Aniston, who portrays TV presenter Alex Levy in "The Morning Show," assured that she felt supportive and comfortable throughout the filming process.
Director Mimi Leder supported this, stating that the scene was shot on a small scale and aimed to produce emotional, sensual, and mature images. Leder, who has a track record of promoting safe and respectful environments, was able to achieve this vision with the help of her cast and crew.
The heated discussions surrounding Aniston's choice to forgo an intimacy coordinator shed light on the importance of these professionals in the industry. Intimacy coordinators engage in pre-production planning, ensuring everyone involved understands the scenario and are comfortable with it. During filming, they act as a liaison between performers and production teams, addressing concerns and making adjustments as needed. Post-filming, they offer emotional support to actors, ensuring their well-being is a priority.
In reality, an intimacy coordinator's role encompasses more than just facilitating open communication about boundaries and consent. They are choreographers who bring structure and professionalism to intimate scenes, creating a safe and authentic environment for everyone involved. Through their involvement, they ensure that scenes are executed skillfully, effectively promoting the narrative while respecting the well-being of performers.
Once the intimate scene between Aniston and Hamm was released, it piqued the interest of the media in Los Angeles and the USA. The residual buzz around the controversial sex scene proved to be an effective promotional tool for the series, attracting a vast audience eager to see the dynamic duo in action.
[1] Intimacy Coordinator Alliance International (ICAI). (n.d.). What is an Intimacy Coordinator? Retrieved from
[2] Sophia Allison. (2020). How 'The Morning Show' is challenging Hollywood's dominance with Jennifer Aniston, Reese Witherspoon and Steve Carell. The Independent. Retrieved from
[3] Claire Downes. (2019). What is an intimacy coordinator? How they became essential to the #MeToo movement. The Hollywood Reporter. Retrieved from
[4] Jada Yuan. (2021). The low-key star of 'The Morning Show' is the intimacy coordinator. The New York Times. Retrieved from
