Zendaya praises intimacy coordinator on set of Challengers, says it made cast feel “safe”

Zendaya has opened up about the importance of having an intimacy coordinator on the set of her new film, Challengers. The Euphoria actress plays Tashi Duncan, a tennis player-turned-coach caught in a love triangle, in Luca Guadagnino’s latest project.

At the film’s Rome premiere on Monday, Zendaya spoke to journalists about the role of the intimacy coordinator in helping the cast feel safe during the steamy scenes. “We had an intimacy coordinator which was fantastic and very helpful, because it was important that we felt safe,” she said, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

Zendaya also highlighted the off-screen bond she shared with her co-stars, Josh O’Connor and Mike Faist, which helped them bring the eroticism and sensuality to life on camera. “I spoke with my colleagues so that we could find a way to feel at ease. We played tennis together, we went out together, we rehearsed together. We got to bond and feel good with each other,” she explained.

Her co-star Faist, known for his role in West Side Story, echoed her sentiments, emphasizing the importance of building a friendship off-screen to enhance their performances. “We were able to spend time together during rehearsals and beyond, especially with Josh. We were able to get to know each other as people before we could get into the film. We created a real friendship that created the basis of the film,” Faist shared.

Challengers is set to hit cinemas on 26 April, promising audiences a captivating story of love, competition, and intimacy brought to life by a talented cast and a supportive crew.