Emily Atack has ‘new relationship with sex’ as she admits to painful past

Rivals star Emily Atack revealed she’s developed a healthier relationship with sex after past trauma and says fiancé Dr Alistair Garner helped rebuild her confidence

Emily Atack has opened up about developing a “new relationship with sex” after years of painful experiences and feeling pressured to please other people.

The Rivals actress admitted intimacy had once felt like “a painful, sad, lonely thing” but says fiancé Dr Alistair Garner has completely changed the way she views sex, love and beauty. Emily, 36, revealed she now feels more confident and empowered than ever, both in her personal life and while filming steamy scenes for screen.

Speaking to Grazia, the actress explained: “I feel like Al has taught me that sexiness and beauty and love are very different things from what I had known in previous relationships. And sex comes into that hugely. I have always had a very complicated relationship with sex.”

The TV star, who plays glamorous Sarah Stratton in Disney+ hit Rivals, said she feels totally comfortable filming intimate scenes as long as the atmosphere on set feels safe and professional.

“I love playing bombshells,” Emily said. “When it comes to sex scenes, if I’m on a set where I’m being looked after, where the men are perfectly gorgeous and well behaved and everyone’s professional, I’m absolutely fine. I will do whatever it takes to get the scene right.”

Emily even joked she became so relaxed during Rivals’ infamous naked tennis scene that crew members struggled to get her dressed again afterwards.

“With the naked tennis scene you couldn’t get my clothes back on me at the end of the day because I was so comfortable,” she laughed.

The actress admitted she sees similarities between herself and her character Sarah, especially when it comes to relying on sexuality and appearance to succeed.

“There are so many things about Sarah that I identify with, and not all the good stuff,” she explained.

“I’m talking about having to lean on certain things to get what you want… your blonde hair, your flirtatious eyelashes, your sexuality, even if you’re so uncomfortable doing it.”

Emily, who previously spoke about being sexually assaulted as a child and suffering cruel trolling online over her appearance, said she now feels she is reclaiming her sexuality for herself.

“In the past I’ve felt powerless because you are just having to mould yourself for the male gaze,” she said.

“But this was powerful because it was all for me, taking ownership of a sexuality that has been ripped from me over the years.”

The former Inbetweeners star also admitted she has had to work through trauma within relationships. “It’s something I’ve had to learn is not a painful, sad, lonely thing that I’m having to do to please whoever I’m with,” she said.

“I have to really go somewhere away from the pain I’ve experienced. That’s something we work on.” Emily added: “Life is good. It doesn’t get much better than where I am now.”

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