HOME / NEWS / HUMAN INTEREST

‘Take Me Out’ theater calls Jesse Williams' VIRAL leaked nudes 'gross, unacceptable'

Jesse Williams became the victim of a nude photo leak after somebody broke the 'no phone' policy of his show 'Take Me Out'

Jesse Williams became the victim of a nude photo leak after somebody broke the 'no phone' policy of his show 'Take Me Out'. Williams, 40, appears fully naked in one scene of the play. The pictures soon spread across social media like wildfire.

Williams appeared on Bravo's 'Watch What Happens Live With Andy Cohen' on May 9, where he said of the leak, "It's a body, once you see it, you realize it's whatever, it's a boy! I just have to make it not that big of a deal."

READ MORE

Jesse Williams strips it ALL OFF on Broadway and Internet says 'this boy's blessed'

Jesse Williams heads back to court to reduce $50,000 child support that he was ordered to pay

Broadway’s Second Stage Theater has now responded to the nude leak. The theater, home to Williams’ 'Take Me Out’ play,  said it was “appalled” that a spectator went to the extent of breaking its sealed-phone policy. " "Second Stage Theater has worked to ensure the privacy of the “Take Me Out” company by creating a phone-free space with locked phone cases at all performances. We are appalled that this policy has been violated and unauthorized footage of our acting company has been posted. It is deeply unfortunate that one audience member chose to disrespect the production, their fellow audience members, and, most importantly, the cast in this manner," the theater said in a statement on its Instagram page. 

"Taking naked pictures of anyone without their consent is highly objectionable and can have severe legal consequences. Posting it on the internet is a gross and unacceptable violation of trust between the actor and audience forged in the theater community. We are actively pursuing takedown requests and ask that no one participates in the distribution of these images. Second Stage is also adding additional staff at the theater to enforce the policy," the statement added. 

Williams portrays center fielder Darren Lemming in 'Take Me Out', who comes out as a homosexual while at the peak of his powers on the field for the fictional New York Empires. The official website for the play contains a disclaimer, which says, "'Please note: Take Me Out includes adult situations and nudity." Williams is the only actor who is seen appearing nude on stage.

In the interview with Cohen, Williams opened up about the reactions he has received for appearing nude on stage. "A non-reaction [from the audience] is a really interesting reaction. The quiet," he said. When asked about his preferred audience reaction, he responded, "I don't like any of it."

In the theater, audience members have their phones placed in pouches and locked. Their pouches are taken care of by patrons. The phones are unlocked in the theater lobby after the show. The leak, however, reveals that at least one person refused to follow the disclaimer.