John Cena made a memorable appearance at the 2024 Oscars, seemingly baring it all onstage as part of a skit about the infamous streaker incident from the 1974 Academy Awards. However, what appeared to be a bold move was actually a clever use of a modesty garment, a common accessory in the world of film and television.
While Cena sported what looked like a flesh-colored sling, he was, in fact, wearing a modesty pouch, designed to discreetly cover intimate areas. Jessica Steinrock, an intimacy coordinator in Hollywood, explains that there are typically two types of modesty garments: one resembling a drawstring bag and the other resembling a strapless thong with adhesive.
The garment Cena wore was likely made to match his skin tone and filled with a soft cup mold, adhered to his skin using grooming tape. While there are various companies producing modesty pouches, their purpose remains consistent: to prioritize actor comfort and dignity during intimate scenes.
Lucia Shapiro, co-founder of Covvier, a company specializing in such garments, notes the rising demand for these products, particularly since the #MeToo era. The industry has long been committed to protecting actors during intimate scenes, with measures ranging from discreet underwear adjustments to the use of fishing wire.
Shapiro emphasizes the cultural shift towards a more respectful approach to intimate scenes in film and television, reflected in the increased demand for modesty garments. Despite the humorous nature of Cena’s Oscars skit, his use of a modesty garment underscores the industry’s ongoing efforts to ensure actor safety and professionalism.
As Cena and The Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences have yet to comment on the specifics of his ensemble, the use of modesty garments continues to be a discreet yet vital aspect of on-screen intimacy.
