Chicago screenwriter, actor and director Lena Waithe has opened up about her intimate scenes in the current season of Aziz Ansari’s “Master of None.”
The five-episode season, titled “Master Of None: Moments In Love,” explores Denise’s (Waithe) marriage. Alicia (Naomi Ackie) has a Ph.D. in chemistry but wants to transition into a career in interior design while Denise is working on a second book. Like many, Denise struggles to balance her newfound fame with her new gig. When Alicia urges her to consider having a baby, Denise tells her that she is a “New York Times bestselling author” and needs to focus on her career.
During The Hollywood Reporter‘s “Comedy Actress Roundtable,” Waithe revealed an intimate coach was brought in to ensure that the intimacy displayed between the couple was as authentic as possible.
“We had a wonderful intimacy coordinator on set, and she was very helpful because it wasn’t just the nakedness, it was also the idea of us having to feel like we’re in this marriage, and us being close and in bed and all that stuff that really forced us to be comfortable in a very uncomfortable scenario,” Waithe shared. “So I said there can’t be a ton of people on set. I don’t want to feel like I’m being ogled. I asked for that space, and we got it.”
After winning an Emmy for the series, Waithe quickly became one of Hollywood’s hottest commodities. Her film “Queen & Slim” received praise from Waithe fans. Her Showtime series “The Chi,” is now into its fourth season and she’s also launched a record label in partnership with Def Jam.
And that’s just to name a few of her achievements.
When asked what she would go back and tell herself at the beginning of her career, Waithe said:
“Somebody once said to me that getting your own show is like being beaten to death with your own dream, and I have to say it’s accurate. But look, I’ll take the hits. It’s better than the alternative.”
