Actress Mikey Madison sparks outrage for not using an intimacy coordinator in racy stripper film Anora

Mikey Madison has been slammed online for choosing not to use an intimacy coordinator in Sean Baker’s racy stripper drama Anora. 

The 25-year-old -who is currently receiving Oscar buzz for her role as an Russian-American sex worker in the film- sparked outrage after participating in Variety’s Actors on Actors special with Pamela Anderson. 

During the sit-down chat, Madison explained to Anderson why she personally chose not to use an intimacy coordinator for her many sex scenes in the movie.

‘For our film we didn’t, it was a choice that I made,’ she told Anderson.

Madison said that the filmmakers offered her the opportunity to bring one on board, but she ultimately decided not to in order to keep things more simple on set. 

‘Mark Eidelstein who plays Ivan in the film, we decided that it would be best just to keep it small, with us, and then Sean Baker, the director, and Sammy Quan, his producing partner and his wife,’ she explained.

‘And so I think that we were really able to just streamline it, shoot it super quickly,’ she continued.

‘It was a very positive experience for me. My character’s sex worker, and so to me, I had seen Sean’s films, and I know his dedication to authenticity.’

She continued, ‘I also wanted to immerse myself in that, so I was ready for it. It requires a lot of her body and her skin, and so I think she wears her nudity as a costume.

‘She presents herself in this hyperexualised way because it’s how she makes a living and it’s just what she has to do, and so I think I also, as an actress, approached it in a way of it being a job, so I was very comfortable.’ 

Despite Madison’s comfortability and confidence in her choice to ditch an intimacy coordinator, many progressive filmgoers on social media were enraged by the move.

‘Not a single intimacy coordinator on the set of a movie about a prostitute??? Good god,’ commented one.

‘Love you Mikey, but this is a f***ing insane thing to say in front of Pamela Anderson who has suffered through sexual harassment her entire career. Like, this is not a good thing,’ another wrote.

A third wrote, ‘Pam looked so uncomfortable during this whole exchange. It’s good that Mikey had a great experience, but there’s a reason why intimacy coordinators are there on set and IMO shouldn’t be an option given to actors.’

Another commented, ‘Can we stop acting like having intimacy coordinators makes you a worse actor? Why did everyone suddenly start bragging about not “needing” one like it somehow relates to their talent or commitment? intimacy coordinators are very much necessary stop this madness.’

Despite the backlash, some fans defended Madison.

‘Why are people getting mad FOR her,’ asked one.

‘She said it was a very positive experience, how is there discourse? Like, it’s already solved. She’s safe. Unharmed. No one was hurt and it affects no one else. She’s also only talking about her own self, not speaking for anyone else.’

Another wrote, ‘People need to leave Mikey alone i’m so serious. if she was comfortable then what’s the problem??’ 

In Anora, Madison plays a topless dancer and escort who spontaneously marries an immature young man named Ivan ‘Vanya’ Zakharov, the son of a Russian oligarch.

The film is filled with nudity and sex scenes, and has been hailed as one of the Oscars’ most raunchiest contenders yet.