Dakota Johnson Reveals Surprising Reality Behind Solo Sex Scenes—and the Unexpected Role of the Intimacy Coordinator
Ever wondered what it’s like to fake an orgasm—on camera—with nothing but a tennis ball and the backs of a dozen bored crew guys for company? Dakota Johnson does. And, honestly, she makes it sound less like movie magic and more like the most awkward day at the gym you’ve never wanted. Can you even imagine being alone in bed, pantomiming passion, while a cluster of dudes stare at their shoes and someone offscreen offers you a pilates ball for “thrusting practice”? No wonder Dakota’s got a sense of humor about it. In a world obsessed with on-screen chemistry, we rarely consider the lonely mechanics behind those steamy moments—or the odd “core workout” suggested by intimacy coordinators. If you think fame is all red carpets and Oscars, Dakota’s reality check will leave you laughing and maybe a smidge mortified. Want the full, uncensored story of superglued thongs, headboards, and a famous mom who raised her to love her body? LEARN MORE
Dakota Johnson has opened up about the awkward reality of filming sex scenes on her own.
The Fifty Shades of Grey star, 37, revealed in an interview last year that she has to sometimes perform intimate moments completely alone while surrounded by male crew members.
During an appearance on Amy Poehler’s Good Hang podcast, Johnson said she was introduced to an intimacy coordinator for the first time, despite having filmed numerous sex scenes throughout her career.
“I recently did a movie a few months ago and we had an intimacy coordinator on set and it was the first time I’ve ever worked with one,” she said.
The actress explained that the coordinator suggested using a pilates ball between herself and another actor during intimate scenes.
“Do you want a pilates ball between you guys for the thrusting movement just to get some core workout in?” she recalled them saying.
Johnson has filmed many sex scenes (Universal Pictures)
The unusual technique wasn’t ultimately used because it would have created too much distance between the actors. I guess it’s better than supergluing a thong to her body.
Johnson then revealed that some of her most awkward experiences have involved filming intimate sequences without another performer physically present.
“There are times when I’ve done a sex scene where I’m by myself cuz I’m only in the frame,” she explained. “So I’m just gyrating on my own and a tennis ball off camera.”
Johnson credits her mum for making her ‘love her body’ (Arnold Jerocki/Getty Images)
She’s also had to simulate intimate movements against furniture while crew members stood nearby.
“Or slamming myself into a headboard and then on the other side of the camera is just a bunch of crew guys,” Johnson added.
“Just a bunch of dudes… with their heads down.”
Despite the unusual circumstances, Johnson said she generally feels confident performing intimate scenes when they serve an important purpose in the story.
She also credited her mother, actress Melanie Griffith, with raising her to feel comfortable and confident in her own body, something she believes has helped her throughout her acting career.
“My mom raised me to be really proud of my body and love my body,” she explained.
“So I’ve always felt so grateful for that, especially in my work because I can use it and it feels real.
“I think it depends on who is the character and who’s the character supposed to be to the audience. Is she a super idolized hot girl? Is she a housewife? Is she lonely? Is she scared? Is she conservative? That’s obviously character work, but then certain prep would go into it.”
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