Seyfried: Motherhood Made Me Less of a Pushover

Actress Amanda Seyfried revealed that she declined a television series because of its frequent sex scenes, citing increasing personal discomfort with such performances as she has aged. Seyfried, who has two children, indicated that becoming a mother has made her more assertive in setting boundaries both professionally and personally, stating she must be 'less of a pushover.'

Her stance aligns with other actresses who have also expressed reservations about on-screen nudity and intimacy. Keira Knightley previously incorporated no-nudity clauses into her contracts after becoming a mother, while Christina Ricci shared an instance where she faced legal threats for refusing to perform a sex scene in a specific manner. These personal decisions are occurring within an evolving Hollywood landscape.

Industry-wide, protections for actors filming intimate scenes have advanced. The role of intimacy coordinators has become more prominent since around 2018, with HBO mandating their presence on sets. These coordinators provide a framework for safety and consent during the filming of simulated sex, nudity, or genital contact. SAG-AFTRA also has guidelines requiring advance notice for nudity and simulated sex acts, with written riders typically provided at least 48 hours prior to filming.