Gabourey Sidibe’s character on Empire, Becky, had a rooftop sex scene in the newest episode opposite MC J Poppa, played by Mo McRoe. Since the episode aired, Sidibe has received some criticism for it but she’s proving it doesn’t bother her one bit.
While attending the Screen Actors Guild Foundation 30th Anniversary Celebration, she said she felt “beautiful” and confident while shooting the scene.
"I'm really, really proud of it,” she told People of the sex scene. “I think the scene was really fun and lovely and sexy. I felt beautiful, and I felt comfortable, and I didn't look nervous at all, and I was kind of nervous, so I'm really glad that that didn't come across."
She also addressed the backlash in a blog for Entertainment Weekly, writing “Yes. I, a plus sized, dark-skinned woman, had a love scene on primetime television.”
“I keep hearing that people are ‘hating’ on it,” she continued. “I’m not sure how anyone could hate on love but that’s okay. You may have your memes. Honestly, I’m at work too busy to check Twitter anyway. #Booked.”
She admitted she was “nervous” when she rehearsed the scene with McRoe, as are most actors. Her anxiety over the scene was whether she was “touching too much” or “bothering” him. Nonetheless, she’s proud of the end result.