Revealed: The Shocking Truth Behind Sex and the City's No-Nudity Policy, Sarah Jessica Parker Breaks Her Silence

Sarah Jessica Parker has revealed that she had a no-nudity condition for her role in Sex and the City, despite the title suggesting otherwise. The hit comedy, centered around the lives of four women in New York City, delved into relevant issues of the late '90s and early 2000s. Parker, who portrayed the iconic character Carrie Bradshaw, quickly became a media sensation through the show's six seasons, spin-off, and movies. However, she was adamant about not participating in any nude scenes. Parker expressed her discomfort from the beginning and had a discussion with creator Darren Star about avoiding nudity during the show's early stages of production. To hear more about Parker's stance on the matter, watch the video and read her quote below.

"I found the script to be extremely intriguing, exhilaratingly unique, and refreshingly innovative; I had never come across anything quite like it before. The only reservation I expressed to [Darren Star] was my discomfort with performing nudity, as I suspected it might be required in the series, even if not in the pilot. His response was, ‘If you're not comfortable with it, don't do it … we can find other actors who are willing, but there's no pressure on you.' It was simply a matter of personal shyness, not a judgment on others who chose to do it. I genuinely admired their confidence. Yet, I myself never felt at ease with the idea of exposing myself in that manner, as it wouldn't have significantly altered how I am perceived nor opened up any intriguing opportunities that I desired. It was solely a matter of personal preference."

How Hollywood Has Changed Since Sex and the City

It's no surprise that Parker was particularly nervous about featuring in nude scenes on Sex and the City. Not only would her fellow actors be witnessing her undressing, but also a significant portion of the show's crew. This could be disconcerting for even the most experienced performers. Furthermore, the lack of intimacy coordinators in Hollywood at that time would have made it even more uncomfortable to interact with others on set.

Today, intimacy coordinators play a crucial role in ensuring the safety and comfort of actors on set. They create a professional and consensual environment for actors throughout the filming process, allowing them to openly address any concerns they may have regarding nudity, sexual scenes, or other intimate moments. While some actors, like Sean Bean, have voiced criticism of intimacy coordinators, they actually provide a platform for others to express their issues. This growing trend of employing intimacy coordinators means that actors no longer have to initiate daunting conversations about their discomfort, as was the case for Sarah Jessica Parker during her time on Sex and the City. Instead, actors now have the opportunity to address any issues directly throughout their filming experience.

Numerous major productions, such as House of the Dragon, Bridgerton, and even the controversial The Idol, have recognized the importance of having intimacy coordinators on set. These coordinators have become an integral part of the Hollywood landscape, highlighting how much the industry has evolved since the release of Sex and the City. Fortunately, HBO and Star made sure that Parker never had to participate in anything that made her uncomfortable, demonstrating the ideal operation of the industry.

Source: The Howard Stern Show