Kim Basinger, the Oscar-winning star of L.A. Confidential and 9½ Weeks, just dropped a bombshell opinion that’s dividing Hollywood. In a candid new interview, the veteran actress questioned the growing reliance on intimacy coordinators on film sets, bluntly stating, “I don’t see all of this need for it. We’re artists. We work it out or we don’t.”
The comment comes as intimacy coordinators—professionals hired to ensure safe, consensual filming of sensitive scenes—have become industry staples post # #MeToo. Major studios and streaming platforms now require them, with stars like Florence Pugh and Emma Thompson praising their role in protecting actors. But Basinger, 70, who filmed famously steamy scenes in the ’80s and ’90s without such safeguards, argues things were simpler in her era.
“Back then, you talked it out with your co-star and director. You trusted each other,” she said. “If someone crossed a line, you spoke up. But we didn’t have someone monitoring every touch. It feels…clinical now.”
Old School vs. New School?
Basinger’s take has ignited fierce debate. Supporters of intimacy coordinators argue they’re essential in preventing abuse and trauma, especially for younger actors. “Not everyone has the power to ‘speak up’ like a star of her status,” tweeted filmmaker Ava DuVernay. Meanwhile, Bridgerton intimacy coordinator Lizzy Talbot fired back: “This isn’t about ‘clinical’ rules—it’s about respecting boundaries. The ‘old way’ left too many people hurt.”
But Basinger isn’t backing down. “I’m not against safety,” she clarified. “But acting is about raw connection. Too many middlemen can kill the magic.”
Hollywood Reacts: Who’s Right?
Fans and celebs are split. Some praise Basinger’s “bold honesty,” while others call her remarks “out of touch.” Euphoria actor Sydney Sweeney recently credited intimacy coordinators for helping her navigate graphic scenes, stating, “They’re lifelines, not obstacles.”
Yet Basinger’s co-star from 9½ Weeks, Mickey Rourke, surprisingly backed her: “Kim’s right. We knew how to handle ourselves. But times change, I guess.”
Why This Matters Now
The debate hits as Hollywood grapples with new SAG-AFTRA guidelines mandating intimacy coordinators for all scenes involving nudity or simulated sex. Could Basinger’s critique signal a generational clash in the industry? Or is she overlooking the real progress these roles provide?
One thing’s clear: this isn’t the last we’ll hear about it. As one viral TikTok put it: “Kim Basinger vs. Intimacy Coordinators is the showdown we didn’t know we needed.”
What do YOU think? Sound off in the comments!