Anora’s Mikey Madison defended after facing backlash for comments from the intimacy coordinator

On By Littum

Anora star Mikey Madison has sparked a debate online for her comments about not using an intimacy coordinator when making the film.

The film, by director Sean Baker, is tipped for Oscar honors after being nominated for five Golden Globes earlier this month.

In the build-up to award seasons, Black have released their latest “Actors on Actors” series, which sees two leading stars interview each other about their films and how they approach acting.

For her video, Madison sat down with Baywatch legend Pamela Anderson, who is also tipped for awards for her role in The Last Showgirl.

Madison plays a pole dancer and sex worker in Anora and admits, “I did this stripper bootcamp where I was taught how to lap dance, how to twerk.”

Anderson then asked Madison if she and the rest of the cast worked with an intimacy coordinator while filming sex scenes, adding that it’s “the big thing these days”.

Madison said she declined the offer, explaining, “The filmmakers offered me, if I wanted, an intimacy coordinator. (But) Mark Eydelshteyn, who plays Ivan, and I decided it would be best to just keep it small.

“My character is a sex worker and I had seen Sean’s film and know his dedication to authenticity. I was ready for it. As an actor, I approached it as a job.”

Despite Madison speaking positively about her experience, many felt her comments about intimacy coordinators hit the wrong note.

One person said: “Can we stop acting like having intimacy coordinators makes you a worse actor? Why did everyone suddenly start bragging about not ‘using’ one like it’s somehow related to their talent or commitment? intimacy coordinators are very necessary stop this madness”.

Another viewer noted: “Not taking the extra security isn’t cool, it’s regressive. I’m actually surprised there isn’t a mandatory intimacy coordinator clause in all movie insurance policies.”

A third person added: “I feel an intimacy coordinator should be required on set instead of their inclusion being left up to the director/actor/actress.”

Mark Eydelshteyn, left, and Mikey Madison in a scene from 'Anora'

Mark Eydelshteyn, left, and Mikey Madison in a scene from ‘Anora’ (Universal)

However, others jumped to her defense, highlighting that Madison had said it was her decision not to coordinate on set.

One defender wrote: “Why are people acting like Mikey is disrespectful for explaining his reasoning for not having an intimacy coordinator to Pamela Anderson? She’s literally the one who asked her the question. Would you rather she just lied?” “

Another added: “It’s ironic how Mikey Madison takes ownership of her body and her consent and makes the best decision for HER and her co-star (I’m sure they talked about it) and you have people telling her HOW SHE has to do things and they impose their opinion on her consent/ownership.”

Another person said: “‘She said it was a very positive experience, how is there discourse? It’s like already resolved. She’s safe. Unharmed. No one was hurt and it’s not affecting anyone else. She’s talking too only about his own self, does not speak for anyone else.”

Mikey Madison in Anora

Mikey Madison in Anora (AP)

There has been a debate surrounding intimacy coordinators in Hollywood for a number of years now, with stars such as Ewan McGregor and Emma Thompson calling them “absolutely essential”, while Michael Douglas and Jennifer Aniston have expressed doubts.