Katie Basinger, the iconic actress celebrated for her compelling performances, recently opened up about her current relationship with ex-husband Alec Baldwin and shared her views on intimacy coordinators, offering fans a rare glimpse inside her life almost two decades after their tumultuous divorce.
During an interview with Variety, Basinger, 71, reflected on the relationship she maintains with Baldwin, whom she married in 1993 and divorced in 2002. The former couple shares one daughter, Ireland Baldwin, now 29, and Basinger revealed, "Alec and I have a great relationship. I have great respect for where he is today, and his family." She acknowledged their emotional distance, saying, "You know, we don’t spend Christmases and holidays or see each other very much. But we talk." This candid admission signals the couple has succeeded in overcoming their earlier challenges, especially during their highly publicized custody battles over Ireland.
Basinger’s supportive remarks extended to Baldwin's wife, Hilaria, who married Alec Baldwin in 2012 and is the mother of seven of his children. "Hilaria seems to have a great handle on it. So more power to her," Basinger said, subtly indicating her respect for Hilaria's role in Baldwin's life, especially following the tragic events surrounding the shooting of cinematographer Halyna Hutchins on the set of Baldwin's film Rust. Baldwin faced serious legal challenges stemming from this incident, which was dismissed last year due to procedural errors, yet, as Basinger noted, he has "been through a lot lately."
Throughout the interview, Basinger's thoughts on parenting shone through as she expressed her concern for Ireland's well-being. Reflecting on their joint experiences as parents, she acknowledges the struggles they've faced, sharing, "We’ve had our challenges,” referencing Ireland’s past mental health struggles.
Transitioning from personal reflections, Basinger also addressed the contemporary film industry practice of employing intimacy coordinators on set. With regard to this trend, she expressed skepticism, stating, "I don’t see all of this need for supervised visits." Basinger, who collaborated with Mickey Rourke on the iconic erotic film 9 1/2 Weeks, added, “That’s just another person in the room. Either we work it out or we don’t.” Her perspective provides insight not only from her unique experiences but also challenges the intrusive nature she associates with having additional personnel present during intimate scenes.
While sharing her own experiences, Basinger elaborated on the challenges involved with filming intimate scenes, stating, "It's a very hard thing to shoot a beautiful love scene. You think it’s just lay down with a bunch of baby oil. It’s not. It can really work your nerves.” This insight conveys the emotional labor involved with such performances, evidencing her depth of experience and encouraging her peers to rely on their instincts rather than external guidance.
The heart of Basinger's dialogue centers around finding balance. After years of battling personal and public struggles, she appears proud of the amicable dynamics she has cultivated not just with Baldwin but within their extended family. She stated, "We have a very genuinely cordial and I think loving relationship in a lot of ways, just because we share a daughter, and I don’t wish him anything but everything good." This sentiment underlines the growing mutual respect between them, shedding light on how they safeguard their relationship for the benefit of their daughter.
Looking forward, Basinger maintains her focus on privacy and maintaining boundaries within her life. "Your anonymity is like a helium balloon. It slips out of your hand, and that's it," she remarked, hinting at the difficulties of staying out of the public eye and how her past shaped her current views. Despite her icons and accomplishments, it seems Basinger values detachment from the spotlight, illustrating her desire to keep personal and family matters more private.
Although the interview focuses on her insights about Baldwin and the practice of intimacy coordinators, Basinger’s reflections tackle larger themes about family, respect, and emotional boundaries. Her observations resonate deeply, especially as Hollywood continues to evolve and redefine working norms. With her wealth of experience, Basinger has the ability to inspire future generations to forge personal and ethical paths through the film industry.
Basinger’s comments provide both insight and wisdom, blending her personal history with her outlook on industry practices. With this rare return to the spotlight, audiences have come to appreciate her honest and reflective nature, establishing her presence not just as an actress but also as someone who contributes to conversations about the intersection of family dynamics and industry standards.