Reese Witherspoon has reflected on how she felt uncomfortable when filming a sex scene with Mark Wahlberg in the 1996 thriller Fear.
Witherspoon, who was 19-years-old at time, recalled that it ‘wasn’t a great experience’ as she had ‘no control’ over the scene, which featured her character having an orgasm on a rollercoaster, she told Harper’s Bazaar.
‘It wasn’t explicit in the script that that’s what was going to happen, so that was something that I think the director thought of on his own and then asked me on set if I would do it, and I said no. It wasn’t a particularly great experience,’ The Oscar-winning actress, 47, stated.
Witherspoon also revealed that during production, she requested a stunt double for filming all of the below-the-waist scenes.
The movie – directed by James Foley – depicts a 16-year-old character played by Witherspoon who falls in love with a 23-year-old sociopath played by Wahlberg.
Stressing that she was not traumatized by the experience, Witherspoon – who appeared to be taking issue with the director rather than her co-star – explained what she from learned from the incident.
‘It made me understand where my place was in the pecking order of filmmaking,’ she said.
‘I think it’s another one of those stories that made me want to be an agent for change and someone who maybe can be in a better leadership position to tell stories from a female perspective instead of from the male gaze.’
Fear: Reese Witherspoon (left) has reflected on how uncomfortable she was and what she learned after filming a sex scene with Mark Wahlberg (right) in the 1996 thriller Fear
Harper’s Bazaar Cover: Reese Witherspoon looked stunning and stylish as she graced the cover and accompanying photo spread for the August 2023 edition of Harper’s Bazaar
Fear was Witherspoon’s ninth film, years before she became a household name in Hollywood – and before she began her own production company Hello Sunshine.
Described as ‘Fatal Attraction for teens’ by the film’s producer, it made over $20million at the US box office against a modest $6.5million budget.
The two stars were romantically linked at the time, though it was not clear if anything happened between them.
Wahlberg was nominated for the MTV Movie Award for Best Villain for the film.
Witherspoon would go on to star in a string of hit films including Cruel Intentions, Election, and Best Laid Plans, all in 1999.
In 2001, her movie star status was cemented with the classic role of Elle Woods in Legally Blonde.
Meanwhile, Witherspoon also opened up about in the wide-ranging interview about her career and her recent divorce from ex-husband, Jim Toth as she graced the cover of the August 2023 edition of Harper’s Bazaar.
For the cover, Witherspoon donned a grey puffy jacket that came with a thin black belt and a black sequined mini dress from Louis Vuitton. She sat on a light orange folding chair while on the set of the photoshoot.
The Oscar-winning actress completed her look with jewelry from renown jeweler Tiffany and Co., which included a black choker necklace with a brooch in the center, and several large stone rings. She wore minimal makeup as she wore her signature blonde hair, which was straightened, down.
Witherspoon also modeled several other stylish outfits for a photo spread in the latest edition of the US version of Harper’s Bazaar, which she shared on her Instagram account.
The first photo from her Harper’s Bazaar photo spread that Witherspoon shared on her Instagram post was a picture of her wearing a black Chanel jacket adorned with white flowers and a pair of black and white Chanel knee-high boots.
Another photo showed Witherspoon, who won the Best Actress Oscar for her portrayal of June Carter Cash in the 2005 film Walk the Line, wearing an all-Valentino outfit comprised of a white long sleeve work shirt, a black tie, and a pink rose patterned mini skirt.
Back then: Reese is pictured above at a 1996 premiere for Fear in Australia
‘Not a great experience’: The movie – directed by James Foley – depicts a 16-year-old character played by Witherspoon who falls in love with a 23-year-old sociopath played by Wahlberg
In the interview, Witherspoon opened up about the work she has done with her production company Hello Sunshine, which she co-founded in 2016, which she said was founded around, ‘the idea that media was largely dominated by male voices and male perspectives.’
‘[Being] able to create opportunities [with Sunshine Media] where women are telling their stories in their own words, you’re just getting a better perspective of the human experience… It’s just a new time, a new era for women to succeed and excel, and I’m happy to be the rocket fuel they need.’ Witherspoon told Harper’s Bazaar.
In the profile, the Oscar winner also spoke about her March 2023 divorce from ex-husband, CAA Talent Agent Jim Toth, whom she was married to from 2011 to 2023. The divorce announcement came just two days shy of what would been the couple’s 12th wedding anniversary.
While calling her divorce a ‘vulnerable time for herself’, Witherspoon shared how she felt after revealing her divorce news to fans.
‘I think about how many other people are going through this experience. I don’t feel isolated at all. I feel very connected [to my fans].’ Witherspoon said.
The marriage between the actress and Roth was Witherspoon’s second as she was previously married from 1999 to 2007 to actor Ryan Philippe. From both of her marriages, Witherspoon has three children: 24-year-old daughter Ava and 19-year-old son Deacon with Philippe; and 10-year-old son Tennessee with Roth.
