In a candid revelation, acclaimed actor Viola Davis has declared she will only participate in love scenes under one specific condition: her on-screen partner must possess a "big gut." The 60-year-old star expressed her strong aversion to filming and watching sex scenes during a recent podcast appearance, arguing that this unusual requirement would shift the focus toward narrative depth rather than physical appearance.
Davis's Firm Stance on Love Scenes
During Tuesday's episode of Amy Poehler's Good Hang podcast, Davis firmly stated, "I'm not doing any more love scenes. That's it. You write a love scene, I'm not doing it." She elaborated, "Unless you give me a boyfriend who has a stomach. A big gut." Davis explained her reasoning, suggesting that casting a partner with a larger physique would compel writers to develop the scene around emotional connection and plot progression instead of relying on stereotypical displays of muscularity.
Recalling a 'Nightmare' Experience
Davis vividly recounted filming a particularly uncomfortable sex scene with Billy Brown for her hit ABC drama, How to Get Away with Murder, which concluded in 2020. In the series, her character, criminal law professor Annalise Keating, was known for having multiple romantic encounters. Davis described the behind-the-scenes process as absurd, noting how the crew focused on adjusting Brown's underwear and applying makeup while highlighting his abs.
"I'm lying down and everything, and then he gets up with his underwear, and they're literally just taking his underwear down, putting his makeup on," she said. "And he's got his abs. And then they want him to walk into the bathroom and come out with one of those scrub brushes and slap it on his hand as if he's slapping my ass." Davis summarised the experience bluntly: "It's a freaking nightmare."
Advocating for Organic Storytelling
The Oscar-winning actor proposed that featuring a partner with a "gut" could lead to more authentic and plot-driven scenes. "So I said, 'If you write someone with a gut, maybe we won't be in bed. Maybe it'll be about everything else. And then when we finally kiss, it's like something that's organically happening,'" she continued. Davis emphasised her desire for love scenes to feel natural and integral to the story, rather than gratuitous or physically focused.
Personal Views on Sex Scenes
Davis, who has been married to actor Julius Tennon since 2003, also shared her personal discomfort with watching sex scenes in general. "But right now, for me, a lot of love scenes, it's like, that's the time to go to the bathroom," she joked. This sentiment underscores her broader critique of how intimacy is often portrayed in film and television, prioritising spectacle over substance.
Previous Rules for On-Screen Intimacy
This is not the first time Davis has set boundaries for sex scenes. During a 2016 appearance on The Ellen DeGeneres Show, she revealed specific rules established while filming How to Get Away with Murder. After being "thrown up against a wall" in the first season, which resulted in a two-week back and hip injury, she insisted, "No more walls."
Davis further stipulated, "I just said, 'I want to be on the bed. I don't want to move. I don't want anyone on top of me. I don't want to be on top of anybody else.'" These guidelines highlight her proactive approach to ensuring her comfort and safety during filming, reflecting a growing industry conversation about consent and boundaries in intimate scenes.
Through her outspoken comments, Viola Davis challenges Hollywood norms, advocating for love scenes that emphasise character development and organic storytelling over superficial physicality. Her stance resonates with broader discussions about representation and authenticity in entertainment, marking her as a vocal proponent for change in how intimacy is depicted on screen.
