Just two days after being announced as an executive producer, Laverne Cox is giving up on Sarah Jones’ Sell / Buy / Date documentary about the sex industry.
The documentary will be based on the critically acclaimed play by Jones of the same name, with Meryl Streep and Rashida Jones also on board as executive producers.
As news of the documentary started to spread, however, fans started calling out to her, with one claiming that the project represented ‘everything you are supposedly against’, prompting her to give up on the project, citing ‘outrage’ ‘about your involvement and the need to protect your mental health.
Stepping back: just two days after being announced as an executive producer, Laverne Cox is giving up Sarah Jones’s documentary on the sex industry Sell / Buy / Date
Cox accessed Twitter on Wednesday night to post an official statement about why she is giving up, which she also used to respond individually to many of the fans who called her.
“When I agreed to be an executive producer for Sell / Buy / Date, I did it because I was deeply moved by Sarah Jones’ brilliant piece and her incredible and undeniable talent as an artist, as an actor,” began Cox.
‘I signed up to support his incredible talent. I have a lot of love for her as a human being, ‘she added, before revealing why she was retreating.
Stepping back: Cox accessed Twitter on Wednesday night to post an official statement about why she is stepping back, which she also used to individually respond to many of the fans who called her
“But I am not moved to deal with the indignation of some regarding my participation in this project. So I decided to leave. To be clear, I am no longer involved in any role in [‘Sell/Buy/Date.’] I have to take care of my mental, physical and emotional health ”, concluded Cox.
Fans also commented on Rashida Jones’ involvement in two Netflix sex worker projects, a documentary entitled Hot Girls Wanted and a docuseries entitled Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On.
During the premiere of the series, several sex workers came forward and claimed they were doxxed and exposed for their profession without their permission, say filmmakers Jill Bauer and Ronna Gradus, denied, citing allegations of fair use.
Involvement: Fans also commented on Rashida Jones’ involvement in two Netflix sex worker projects, a documentary entitled Hot Girls Wanted and a docuseries entitled Hot Girls Wanted: Turned On
Jones herself responded to the criticism with a statement on Twitter on Wednesday night.
“As a black feminist artist, I have always focused on the stories of traditionally marginalized people, especially women and femmes who struggle for liberation and self-determination. My sex industry sisters are no exception, ‘said Jones.
“I am committed to deeply listening to people with lived experience, not only in my interviews, but also in those we hire behind the scenes,” he added.
Sarah’s response: Jones responded to the criticism with a statement on Twitter on Wednesday night
She also responded to Cox’s statement on Twitter, stating, ‘I’m very grateful to you, Laverne, for coming on the journey with me so far, and I’m looking forward to continuing my work on the film, and I just ask everyone to give Laverne their space, keeping an open mind about the project before judging it. ‘
Sell / Buy / Date will explore ‘inequality (criminal justice, race, sexism, poverty) through the lens of the debate around the sex industry’.
The film will explore the central question: ‘Is sex work exploitative or empowering?’ while examining the sex industry ‘hidden from everyone’ and those who support sex work and who argue that sex workers are ‘essential workers’.
Grateful: She also responded to Cox’s statement on Twitter, stating, ‘I am very grateful to you, Laverne, for coming on the journey with me so far, and I look forward to continuing my work on the film, and I just ask that everyone give Laverne your space, keeping an open mind about the project before judging it ‘
Documentary: Sell / Buy / Date will explore, ‘inequality (criminal justice, race, sexism, poverty) through the lens of the debate around the sex industry’
Explorer or trainer: the film will explore the central question: ‘Is sex work an explorer or trainer?’ in examining the sex industry ‘hidden from everyone’ and those who support sex work and who argue that commercial sex workers are ‘essential workers’