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EGOT Winner Viola Davis Reveals Her Condition for Sex Scenes
The acclaimed actress says she won't do love scenes unless the character has a 'big gut'.
Mar. 17, 2026 at 10:18pm
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Viola Davis, a 60-year-old EGOT winner, has revealed that she hates doing love scenes and has a specific condition for them - the character must have a 'big gut' instead of six-pack abs. Davis said she finally put her foot down while filming the TV show 'How to Get Away With Murder,' telling the producers she wouldn't do any more love scenes unless the male character had a stomach. She explained that this would lead to more realistic and less objectifying scenes. Davis' co-star Amy Poehler also shared her dislike of filming love scenes, saying 'there's nothing sexy about it'.
Why it matters
Davis' comments highlight the challenges and discomfort many actors, especially women, face when it comes to filming intimate scenes. Her request for more realistic body types challenges Hollywood's typical standards and objectification of actors' bodies. This conversation also sheds light on the power dynamics and creative control actors have, or lack, over these types of scenes.
The details
During an interview on Amy Poehler's 'Good Hang' podcast, Davis revealed that she 'can't stand love scenes' and has refused to do them on the show 'How to Get Away With Murder' unless the male character has a 'big gut' instead of a six-pack. She described an uncomfortable scene where her co-star was in his underwear, holding a scrub brush and asked to 'slap it on his hand as if he's slapping my ass.' Davis said she had to stop the scene and tell the producers to cut. Poehler also admitted to disliking love scene filming, saying 'there's nothing sexy about it'.
- Davis made these comments during a podcast interview on March 17, 2026.
The players
Viola Davis
A 60-year-old acclaimed actress who has won all four major awards (Emmys, Grammys, Oscars, Tonys), making her one of only eight people to achieve EGOT status.
Amy Poehler
A 54-year-old actress and comedian who won the inaugural Best Podcast Golden Globe in January 2026.
Billy Brown
Davis' co-star on the TV show 'How to Get Away With Murder'.
What they’re saying
“I can't stand love scenes. I can't stand watching them. I can't stand doing them.”
— Viola Davis, Actress
“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.”
— Viola Davis, Actress
“There's nothing sexy about it. When you do a love scene, in my opinion, there's nothing sexy about it.”
— Amy Poehler, Actress and Comedian
The takeaway
Viola Davis' comments highlight the discomfort many actors, especially women, face when it comes to filming intimate scenes and the need for more realistic body types and power dynamics in these types of scenes. Her request for characters with 'big guts' instead of six-pack abs challenges Hollywood's typical standards and objectification of actors' bodies.
