Second Stage Theater—home to former Grey’s Anatomy star Jesse Williams’ performances—responded to the leaked nudes of Williams performing “Take Me Out” Instagram at Second Stage.
The theater was mostly disgusted that someone at the show violated its own “no smartphones” policy. Given the content that is sometimes depicted on stage, the policy makes perfect sense. Plus, it’s their venue, so this is just begging for legal issues.
Leaked Jesse Williams Stage Nudes Sparks Outrage in Acting Community
That’s just what the theater pointed to in an Instagram statement. In part it reads:
“Taking naked pictures of anyone without their consent is highly objectionable and can have severe legal consequences. Posting it on the internet is a gross and unacceptable violation of trust between the actor and audience forged in the theater community. We are actively pursuing takedown requests and ask that no one participates in the distribution of these images. Second Stage is also adding additional staff at the theater to enforce the policy.”
So, Second Stage is also asking that the pictures aren’t circulated—which is like wrangling cats on social media. The takedown requests will be interesting to see as it’s the internet and takedown requests are an old foe involving plenty of leaked content over the years.
As for the leaked Jesse Williams pictures, Kate Shindle, president of the Actor’s Equity Association weighed in:
“As actors, we regularly agree to be vulnerable onstage in order to tell difficult and challenging stories. This does not mean that we agree to have those vulnerable moments widely shared by anyone who feels like sneaking a recording device into the theater. Whoever did this knew not only that they were filming actors without their consent, but also that they were explicitly violating the theater’s prohibition on recording and distribution.”
While others have expressed outrage at this and other moments that test the relationship between stage performers and the audience, Williams has taken a different approach. When the topic came up while guest-starring on Watch What Happens Live, Jesse Williams said “It’s a body—once you see it, you realize it’s whatever. It’s a body. I just have to make it not that big of a deal.”
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