Jesse Williams responds after photos of his Broadway nude scene are leaked by audience member: ‘It’s a body’
‘I just have to make it not that big of a deal,’ actor said
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Jesse Williams has responded to the buzz surrounding his nude scene in the Take Me Out Broadway show.
On Monday (9 May), photos from his play – in which the 40-year-old was nude – were leaked and began circulating online.
Williams has now responded to the leak, stating: “It’s a body, once you see it, you realise it’s whatever, it’s a boy!”
“I just have to make it not that big of a deal,” he told Watch What Happens Live After Show.
Following the leak, the company running the production issued a statement, reading: “It is deeply unfortunate that one audience member chose to disrespect the production, their fellow audience members, and most importantly, the cast in this matter.”
“Posting it on the internet is a gross and unacceptable violation of trust between the actor and audience forged in the theatre community,” Second Stage Theater said.
Take Me Out revolves around mixed-race baseball star Darren Lemming (played by Williams), who comes out as gay and is confronted off the field by deep-rooted homophobic and racist prejudices.
The play originally premiered in 2002 at the Joseph Papp Public Theater in New York.
Last month, Williams spoke about his fear to appear naked on stage and admitted it “terrified” him to do so.
“But then I noted that that was what I asked God for,” he said. “I asked to be terrified. I asked to do something that was scary and challenging and made me earn it and made me feel alive and not comfortable.”
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments