Gwyneth Paltrow has revealed that during the filming of intimate scenes with Timothée Chalamet for their new movie Marty Supreme, she asked the on-set intimacy co-ordinator to “step a little bit back” as she would feel “very stifled” by too much direction.
Paltrow, 52, who plays the wife of a rival professional in the film, and Chalamet, 29, star in a film that features several intimate moments between their characters. Chalamet plays a ping pong prodigy, while Paltrow’s character falls into an affair with him, leading to several sex scenes in the movie.
“I mean, we have a lot of sex in this movie,” Paltrow admitted in an interview with Vanity Fair. “There’s a lot – a lot.”
However, the actress, who hasn’t had a starring role in a film for a decade, revealed she was unfamiliar with the role of intimacy co-ordinators, which have become more common in Hollywood in recent years. These professionals are brought in to ensure actors feel safe and respected during intimate scenes, particularly after the Me Too movement highlighted the need for greater accountability and support on set.
Paltrow, who rose to fame for her role in Shakespeare in Love, explained that when the intimacy co-ordinator on Marty Supreme asked if she would be comfortable with a certain move during one of the intimate scenes, she was taken aback by the level of involvement.
“I was like, ‘Girl, I’m from the era where you get naked, you get in bed, the camera’s on,'” Paltrow said, recalling her initial response. “We said, ‘I think we’re good. You can step a little bit back.'”
She elaborated further, saying, “I don’t know how it is for kids who are starting out, but… if someone is like, ‘OK, and then he’s going to put his hand here,’ I would feel, as an artist, very stifled by that.”
Intimacy co-ordinators have become a regular part of film and television productions in recent years, especially following the allegations against powerful figures in Hollywood. The role is intended to help create a safe environment for actors, ensuring that boundaries are respected, and any discomfort during intimate scenes is addressed in a professional manner.
Paltrow’s remarks come amid growing discussions on the role of intimacy co-ordinators in Hollywood, with many actors speaking out both for and against their involvement. In 2022, Dame Emma Thompson strongly defended the practice, calling intimacy co-ordinators “fantastically important,” particularly in the wake of the Me Too movement. On the other hand, actor Sean Bean caused a stir when he claimed that the presence of intimacy co-ordinators “spoil the spontaneity” of sex scenes.
Despite her initial hesitation, Paltrow praised her co-star, Timothée Chalamet, for his professionalism and serious approach to his work. She shared that the age difference between them became particularly noticeable while filming the intimate scenes.
“OK, great,” Paltrow recalled thinking. “I’m 109 years old. You’re 14.”
However, she quickly added that Chalamet, who was recently nominated for an Oscar for his portrayal of Bob Dylan in A Complete Unknown, is a “thinking man’s sex symbol.” Paltrow described him as a polite and well-raised young man who takes his craft seriously, but also has a fun and easy-going personality on set.
“He’s just a very polite, properly raised, I was going to say kid… he’s a man who takes his work really seriously and is a fun partner,” she said.
Paltrow’s comments about the age gap between her and Chalamet reflect a broader conversation about the portrayal of relationships in films, particularly when it comes to age differences. While the pair’s on-screen chemistry was praised, the actress acknowledged the significant age gap in a lighthearted way, highlighting the contrast between her experience in the industry and Chalamet’s relative youth.
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Throughout her career, Paltrow has been a trailblazer in Hollywood, not only for her acting talent but also for her outspoken views on various issues, including sexual harassment. She was among the first high-profile individuals to publicly accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual harassment, a revelation that played a pivotal role in the downfall of the disgraced producer and the broader Me Too movement.
In 1999, Paltrow won an Oscar for her performance in Shakespeare in Love, produced by Weinstein, and later became one of the key figures in exposing the abuse that had taken place within the industry for decades. Her decision to speak out in such a public manner helped shift the cultural conversation around sexual harassment in Hollywood and beyond.
Now, with her return to the big screen in Marty Supreme, Paltrow’s experience and wisdom in navigating the complexities of Hollywood continue to shine through. Her willingness to push back against an intimacy co-ordinator’s overreach is a reflection of her long-standing belief in the importance of creative freedom and authenticity in her work.
As the debate over intimacy co-ordinators continues, Paltrow’s perspective adds another layer to the ongoing conversation about boundaries, professionalism, and the evolving role of actors in the creation of intimate scenes. While some embrace the guidance of intimacy co-ordinators, others, like Paltrow, seek a more relaxed and organic approach to their craft, reflecting the differing viewpoints in the industry today.
