Emily Osment Reveals Why She Requested an Intimacy Coordinator for Kissing Scenes With ‘Young Sheldon’ Co-Star Montana Jordan
Emily Osment wanted to make sure both she and her much younger co-star felt comfortable filming their on-screen romance.
The Hannah Montana alum recently revealed why she requested an intimacy coordinator while filming kissing scenes with Montana Jordan on Young Sheldon.
At the time, Osment was 30, while Jordan was just 18. Their nearly 12-year age gap made the actress uncomfortable with the romantic scenes they were expected to film.
“He was a baby! A baby with a mullet,” Osment recalled in Jessica Radloff’s new book, Young Sheldon: The (Juicier-Than-Meemaw’s-Brisket) Inside Story of the Hit Comedy.
Osment played Mandy McAllister, who develops a relationship with Jordan’s character, Georgie Cooper Jr. Their romance eventually became a central storyline in the hit sitcom.
The actress said she approached producer Tim Marx about bringing an intimacy coordinator onto the set. Although one could not be arranged for their initial kissing scene, a coordinator joined the production for subsequent episodes.
For Osment, the decision was about more than her own comfort. She also wanted to ensure Jordan felt empowered to speak up if he was uncomfortable.
“I don’t know if Montana even knew if he could ask for that,” she explained. “Like, let’s give him the option, too. Make him comfortable.”
She added that Jordan was such a sweet person that he might have hidden his discomfort rather than raising concerns himself.
The show’s director, Alex Reid, also acknowledged that the production team had initially overlooked the need for an intimacy coordinator.
He admitted they had “totally dropped the ball,” explaining that the actors barely knew each other when they filmed their first kissing scene.
Reid recalled that both performers appeared uncomfortable between takes. He later discussed the experience with Osment, who confirmed that the situation had felt awkward for both of them.
Co-creator Steve Molaro supported the actress’s decision, saying she had every right to request an intimacy coordinator.
Osment ultimately felt more comfortable as filming progressed, and the two actors developed the on-screen chemistry audiences came to recognize.
Young Sheldon concluded in 2024 after seven seasons, but their characters’ story continued in the spinoff Georgie & Mandy’s First Marriage.
Osment’s comments have now reignited conversations about professional boundaries, consent, and the importance of making actors feel safe during intimate scenes.
Her decision also highlights an important point about Hollywood productions: even scenes that appear simple on screen can require thoughtful planning and clear communication behind the scenes.
