When Emilia Clarke took on the role of Daenerys Targaryen in HBO's steamy Game of Thrones, she didn't anticipate just how often she'd be baring it all. Dragons weren't the only things drawing attention – Emilia found herself in tears ahead of some intimate scenes with co-star Jason Momoa. Despite his gentlemanly conduct, one viewing memory stands out for Emilia. She recalled a family movie night gone wrong when she encouraged them to watch an episode featuring one of her nude scenes. "Oh dear," she thought as her dad quipped, "Again?!"
Sydney Sweeney, a breakout star from The White Lotus, has not always been thrilled with the reception to her nude scenes. While her performances are smouldering, she noted a frustrating stigma surrounding actresses who disrobe on-screen. "With The White Lotus, I felt like people finally recognized my hard work, but in Euphoria, no one talks about it because I got naked," Sydney shared. She observed that while male actors are celebrated for similar scenes, women face a different narrative.
“There’s a stigma against actresses who get naked on screen. When a guy has a sex scene or shows his body, he still wins awards and gets praise. But the moment a girl does it, it’s completely different.”
Natalie Portman has been open to on-screen nudity, yet the digital age has made her reconsider. Scenes from films like Hotel Chevalier have surfaced in inappropriate places online. "I don't like the misappropriation," Natalie explained, frustrated with her work being taken out of context. She emphasized, "It’s meant to be a dramatic scene and part of a story. That really makes me angry."
Samira Wiley, known for her role in Orange Is The New Black, faced anxiety over her first on-screen nude scene. Her main worry? Her parents' reactions. Reflecting on the experience, Samira admitted it "definitely wasn’t sexy" and felt more "mechanical" than sultry.
Comedy actress Casey Wilson found herself in a sticky situation with her opening scene in Ass Backwards. Co-writing the film meant she had no one else to blame for her cheeky roadside adventure. Lamenting the lack of an "ass double" due to budget constraints, Casey humorously questioned her decision as she endured makeup touch-ups on set.
Known more for his culinary prowess than his on-screen nudity, Gordon Ramsay regrets baring all for an episode of Hotel Hell. "I do regret one thing – getting my ass out in the shower," he shared, acknowledging that viewers were treated to more than just his cooking skills.
Ben Stiller, famous for his comedic chops, might pass on his nude scene in Along Came Polly today. He later discovered that a stunt double could have stood in, a detail no one had shared with him at the time.
Jason Segel's fully nude moment in Forgetting Sarah Marshall may be iconic, but it sparked some unexpected feedback. Segel recounted how audience members now expect similar scenes in his films. One memorable moment involved an audience critique of his assets, leading Jason to joke, "You get your penis out once, and everyone expects it in the rest of your movies."