Kit Harington talks his nude scenes on Industry, and his problems with objectification

August 13, 2024

Kit Harington talks his nude scenes on Industry, and his problems with objectification

As a gamer who has lived through several decades of popular culture, I can’t help but feel a sense of admiration for Kit Harington and his evolving perspective on sexualization in Hollywood. Back in 2015, when Game of Thrones was at its peak, I remember the backlash he faced for expressing discomfort with being objectified as a “hunk” or “heartthrob.” It seemed like people were quick to dismiss his feelings, but looking back now, it’s clear that Harington was ahead of his time in acknowledging the dehumanizing effects of sexualization.

2015 found me right smack in the midst of the Game of Thrones craze, with its influence and popularity at an all-time high. As Jon Snow, Kit Harington, I opened up about some peculiarities that came with my newfound fame. One such oddity was the uncomfortable feeling of being so openly objectified. “To be constantly elevated as a hunk,” I admitted then, “feels slightly degrading.” It’s not unlike what women experience. When an actor like me is solely reduced to physical attractiveness, it can be downright offensive.

Well, it’s not just men that can be inappropriate sexually; women can be as well. I’m in a successful TV show in a kind of leading man way and it can sometimes feel like your art is being put to one side for your sex appeal. And I don’t like that. In this position you get asked a lot, ‘Do you like being a heartthrob? Do you like being a hunk?’ Well, my answer is, ‘That’s not what I got into it for.

2015 remark by Harington, sparking criticism due to its tone, as people found it odd for someone in his position to express discomfort about being admired for his looks. Remarks like these have since been viewed with a sense of discomfort as societal discourse surrounding the sexualization of celebrities has evolved. The conversation around the objectification of women was particularly prevalent, reaching a boiling point in 2017 with the rise of the #MeToo movement. However, there was also a “show me your abs” culture for men that continues to be addressed. In response to the backlash, Harington humorously declared he would keep quiet about the issue on Good Morning America.

Kit Harington’s evolving perspective on nudity, sex appeal and Hollywood

Since then, Harington has experienced significant personal growth; he tied the knot with his “Game of Thrones” co-star Rose Leslie, started a family, and bravely confronted substance abuse challenges. He now embraces himself and his professional standing more confidently, even agreeing to bare all in the latest season of “Industry” on HBO, where he portrays a kinky tech CEO named Henry Muck. In an interview with GQ, Harington spoke candidly about his nude scenes in “Industry”, stating, “That was my own choice. I go to the gym for mental health reasons anyway. But when I knew it was my backside on display, I thought, alright, this week is all about squats.”

Despite having reservations about being portrayed in a stereotypical manner, Harington firmly defended his personal brand, advocating to Industry writers Mickey Down and Konrad Kay that he should be permitted to maintain his beard. “One of the initial things I shared with Mickey and Kon was, ‘You two are running a show centered around sexiness here. Naturally, you’ll want me to shave because it boosts ratings, right? But honestly, without a beard, I look like an exhausted child. Nobody will buy that Marisa would find me attractive.'” Fortunately, they agreed with him.

Despite the situation where he’s now known for baring his physique on “Industry,” Harington still expresses reservations about being stereotyped as merely sex appeal or good looks. He is no longer comfortable with being labeled a “hunk” and staying silent about it. In simpler terms, he thinks the term “hunk” is foolish and believes that using it to describe young male actors reduces them to their physical appearance. He feels strongly that this practice should not be applied to women or men alike.

If you’ve been the young male lead in something [like Thrones], and you could argue that I got given that opportunity because of my appearance, the worry is that that’s all your worth is. And for me, the older I get, the more that drops away. The more I get to accept [that] no, I’m an actor. And I’ve been around for a while. And I’m still working. And so at some point, I have to accept that might have something to do with my talent as well.

Essentially, in Hollywood, stardom often equates to being viewed as a symbol of fantasy and attractiveness, leading to an increased likelihood of objectification by the public. It appears that Harington has developed a balanced outlook on this issue and is making efforts to foster discussions aiming for progress.

Every Sunday evening, you can catch new installments of the series “Industry“, which follows a group of individuals as they maneuver through the complex realm of finance, on both HBO and Max.

Read More

2024-08-13 19:42