Sterling K. Brown was unimpressed when his wife filmed a sex scene with her celebrity crush. The incident has sparked conversations about the unique challenges actors face in their relationships.
The ‘Paradise’ actor’s spouse, Ryan Michelle Bathe, shared the screen with Boris Kodjoe in ‘All About Us’ just months after they tied the knot in 2006, and the 48-year-old star admitted he wasn’t too happy about it because of a conversation they had recently had. The couple has been married for 18 years, establishing themselves as one of Hollywood’s most enduring partnerships.
“When we first got married, I asked her, I said, ‘Who is your celebrity crush?’ Who is it?’ She goes, ‘Boris,’ like, she didn’t pause. Boris [Kodjoe],” Sterling said, speaking to Sherri Shepherd on ‘Sherri’. The Emmy-winning actor’s candid interview revealed the humorous challenges of actor marriages.
“Sherri, within two months, she was playing Boris’ wife in a movie, called ‘All About Us’, right?” The 2007 romantic drama featured Kodjoe and Bathe in leading roles, with the film exploring themes of love and commitment.
Sterling was filming ‘Supernatural’ in Canada at the time and remembered calling Ryan to find out how the shoot was going, only to learn things were going to get more intimate than he’d anticipated. Brown appeared in season 2 of the popular CW series, which ran for 15 seasons between 2005 and 2020.
He recalled: “She said, ‘Listen.’ They had a sex scene that they added into the [script].’ The unexpected script change is a common occurrence in film production, with actors often having limited notice for intimate scenes.
“I’ve been told that I can’t use the t-word on daytime television, so I’m gonna say, ‘Oh, so you gotta have naked breasts on his chest? And she’s like, ‘No, I’m gonna use the Band-Aids.'” Modesty garments are standard practice in Hollywood productions, with intimacy coordinators now regularly employed on sets to ensure actor comfort.
However, during a later call, Ryan – who has two children with her spouse – admitted her plans to keep her breasts covered had failed, which the former ‘This Is Us’ star took as a green light for him to “go for it” with his own sex scenes. Brown won an Emmy for his portrayal of Randall Pearson on the hit NBC drama ‘This Is Us,’ which concluded in 2022 after six successful seasons.
Ryan told Sterling: “It went really well, he was so respectful, so cool. But it was really humid in the room, and I had a tough time keeping the Band-Aids on.” Film sets often maintain specific temperature controls during intimate scenes to accommodate lighting requirements and equipment needs.
He replied: “You just wanted naked breasts on Boris’ chest!” The couple’s ability to maintain humor about the situation highlights their strong relationship foundation.
He added: “So, because of that, any other scene that Brown does, I’m like, ‘I’m going for it. Man, I’m going for it!” Brown has appeared in several acclaimed projects including ‘Black Panther,’ ‘Waves,’ and recently starred in ‘American Fiction,’ which won an Academy Award for Best Adapted Screenplay.
Sherri asked if Boris and his wife, Nicole Ari Parker, knew about Ryan’s crush and her husband confirmed they “absolutely do” – so he is planning revenge. Kodjoe and Parker have been married since 2005 and have also maintained a strong Hollywood relationship spanning nearly two decades.
He quipped: “As a matter of fact we saw them on Oscar night at the gold party, which is the party that Jay-Z and Beyonce do together, we had a great time. The exclusive post-Oscar celebration is one of Hollywood’s most coveted invitations, with attendance limited to industry insiders and A-list celebrities.
“And Nicole and I are looking for project to do together. So we about to flip it!” Parker is known for her roles in ‘Empire,’ ‘Chicago P.D.,’ and most recently, ‘And Just Like That…,’ the sequel series to ‘Sex and the City.’
The lighthearted discussion highlights the unique dynamics of Hollywood marriages, where actors frequently find themselves in intimate on-screen situations with colleagues. Industry professionals note that communication and trust are essential for navigating these potentially awkward scenarios.
Brown continues to be one of Hollywood’s most respected actors, with multiple upcoming projects including the film ‘The Defender’ and the television series ‘Washington Black.’ His candid approach to discussing the realities of the industry has made him a beloved figure among fans and colleagues alike.
