Amanda Seyfried Opens Up About Nudity and the Challenge of Portraying Linda Lovelace

Amanda Seyfried’s striking almond-shaped eyes carry much of the emotion in the biographical drama Lovelace. The film tells the story of 1970s adult film star Linda Lovelace, born Linda Susan Boreman. Seyfried portrays Linda’s pain, humiliation, and heartbreak after starring in the infamous 1972 film Deep Throat. Many online searches for amanda seyfried nude scenes often connect back to this performance.

Deep Throat, centered on a woman with unusual sexual talents, became the first scripted pornographic feature to achieve mainstream notoriety. The movie earned hundreds of millions of dollars, yet Lovelace reportedly received only $1,250 for eight days of filming. That experience remained a painful chapter in her life.

Directed by Rob Epstein and Jeffrey Friedman, Lovelace presents a disturbing look at abuse and exploitation. Seyfried’s character endures violence and manipulation from her husband Chuck Traynor, played with chilling intensity by Peter Sarsgaard. According to Lovelace’s autobiography Ordeal, Traynor forced her into pornography and prostitution.

The film features a strong supporting cast. Hank Azaria brings humor as Deep Throat director Gerry Damiano. Sharon Stone, then 55 and in excellent form, plays Linda’s stern and deeply religious mother. Debi Mazar appears as a fellow adult performer who befriends Linda. Adam Brody portrays co-star Harry Reems with a comic touch, while Chris Noth plays a shady producer. James Franco also appears briefly as a young Hugh Hefner.

The cast and filmmakers gathered at the Mandarin Oriental in Columbus Circle ahead of the movie’s August 9, 2013 theatrical release to discuss the project.

When asked how she approached portraying the real Linda Lovelace, Seyfried said she had to put aside her natural cynicism. She explained that her role required her to validate Linda’s experiences and present her honestly.

Seyfried described the biggest challenge as portraying a real person for the first time. She felt a strong responsibility to do justice to Linda’s life, especially since Lovelace’s children supported the film. She added that the task would have been even more difficult if Linda were still alive.

The actress moved directly from Lovelace into filming Les Misérables, where she played Cosette. She joked that switching from Lovelace to an innocent 18-year-old virgin made the transition easier. Still, she noted surprising similarities between Linda and Cosette, particularly their innocence and vulnerability. Seyfried said she became so immersed in the role that she felt, for the first time, like a “real actor.”

Director Rob Epstein explained that the film aimed to tell a universal story about a young woman trapped in circumstances beyond her control. He said Linda’s struggle to reclaim her voice and power remained the film’s central theme, even amid the darkness of domestic violence and exploitation.

Sharon Stone made a memorable late entrance to the press conference in a bright tangerine dress. In the film, however, she looks nearly unrecognizable, wearing little makeup and modest clothing. Stone said she felt fortunate to land the role and did extensive research to prepare.

She also drew from her own upbringing in Pennsylvania, saying she knew many women like Linda’s mother hard-working, practical women doing their best to support families through difficult lives.

Much of the media attention focused on Seyfried, who was repeatedly asked how she connected with Linda. She said many women could relate to someone who feels trapped and makes poor choices while trying to escape even worse situations.

Seyfried admitted that before joining the film, she knew little about Linda’s life and viewed her in the same shallow way many people did. But after studying the role, she discovered a more complex woman searching for identity and stability. That deeper humanity inspired her to take the part.

“She was always trying to figure out who she was,” Seyfried said. “Like everyone else.”

The actress also acknowledged early fears about how the role might affect her public image. However, after meeting the directors and trusting their vision, she committed fully to the project. She said the film offered the emotional challenge she needed.

While the nude scenes made her uneasy, her main concern was much more personal. Seyfried joked that she did not want her father seeing her naked on screen during the premiere at the Museum of Modern Art. Laughing, she said she planned to cover his eyes during those scenes.