Hollywood actress Shailene Woodley, known for her roles in “Big Little Lies” and “The Fault in Our Stars,” is also a vocal advocate for various causes, including environmental issues and authenticity in personal expression. Her candid approach extends to discussions about sustainable living and the modern perceptions of relationships and sexuality.
On the She MD podcast, Shailene shared her concerns about the portrayal of sex in U.S. media, particularly in pornography. She criticized these depictions as superficial and misleading, likening them to “bacon hanging in front of a dog.” She argued that mainstream portrayals often reduce sex to mere performance, lacking depth, intimacy, vulnerability, and connection.
“The way that sex is presented on the surface in this country is so fabricated,” she stated, expressing her belief that many people are unaware of the potential richness of sexual experiences. “If people knew what was possible with sex, they would view porn as junk food,” she added.
Shailene describes herself as “very sexual” and believes that genuine pleasure comes from profound, real connections, contrasting sharply with the shallow interactions often shown in pornography. She likened engaging sexual experiences to a nourishing meal, far superior to the “McDonald’s” quality that porn offers.
Reflecting on her personal experiences, Shailene recounted her journey of self-discovery and intimacy with a former partner who shared her enthusiasm for exploring their physical connection as a form of dance. “I was very lucky in my life as a young person discovering myself and my body to have a partner at the time who loved to dance,” she shared. According to her, sex should be an exchange of energy, sometimes fiery like a tango and other times gentle like a slow dance.
Motivated by her experiences and insights, Shailene expressed a desire to revolutionize sex education to foster a more authentic understanding of sexuality. She advocates for an approach emphasising the importance of connection, pleasure, and vulnerability, aiming to correct the misleading portrayals dominating popular media.
