Best recognized for his work on Grey’s Anatomy and The Cabin in the Woods, actor Jesse Williams is now winning over audiences as the lead role, Darren Lemming, in the Broadway production of Take Me Out.
Social media went haywire this week after a leaked video of Jesse Williams nude in a scene from the Tony Award-winning play by Richard Greenberg made headlines. The viral video, which circulated rapidly, captures Darren going through a heated moment with Shane Mungitt (played by Michael Oberholtzer) as both characters are fully nude in the locker room showers.
The leak triggered Gay Twitter into a frenzy, but not many are aware of the greater meaning behind this moment. To completely know the context, it’s necessary to be familiar with the background story of Take Me Out and the feud between Darren and Shane.
The Story Behind Take Me Out
The play traces the story of Darren Lemming, a biracial baseball star for the made-up Empires team, who chooses to be openly gay. Davey Battle, Darren’s best buddy (portrayed by Brandon J. Dirden), a teammate for a competing team, supports Darren in accepting himself. Yet, Darren’s friend and teammate, Kippy Sunderstrom (played by Patrick J. Adams), does not approve and warns him not to come out.
As the season continues, the Empires lose several times, prompting the introduction of a new team member, Shane Mungitt. Shane has had a disastrous past with his mother’s murder, his father’s suicide, and a life spent in orphanages. Even with this negative history, Shane’s introduction to the team causes a winning streak. Nevertheless, he is also racist and homophobic and particularly bullies Darren. Shane expresses his unease over showering with a “f*ggot” following games, and the stage is thus set for a forceful confrontation.
The Viral Jesse Williams Naked Scene Explained
The since-notorious leaked video of Jesse Williams nude features the climactic moment when Darren at last stands up to Shane’s bigotry. With a bold and defiant gesture, Darren enters the shower where Shane is, hugs him from the back, and kisses him—a brazen confrontation of Shane’s prejudices. The scene builds when Darren manhandledly throws Shane on the floor, observing how he runs away from the locker room in humiliation and terror.
Most viewers who do not know the storyline of Take Me Out probably misunderstood this dramatic exchange. The scene could, at first sight, be taken to depict Jesse Williams naked and involved in unwarranted physical contact with what appears to be a frightened teammate. The scene is, however, symbolically rich, signifying Darren’s refusal to be intimidated by Shane’s racism and homophobia.
Jesse Williams Reacts to the Leaked Video
After the video’s release on social media, Jesse Williams spoke out on the hype surrounding his nudity while appearing on Watch What Happens Live. The actor didn’t flinch, brushing off the public reaction to his nudity on stage.
“Everyone makes such a big deal. It’s a body,” Williams stated. “Once you see it, it’s like, whatever.”
Despite the leak, the Broadway production continues to draw attention, with many now even more curious about the play’s powerful themes and narrative. Jesse Williams naked on stage might have caused a viral stir, but Take Me Out delivers a much deeper message about identity, prejudice, and resilience. Whether it’s for the acting, the storyline, or the controversy, one thing is clear—Jesse Williams is the name on everyone’s lips this week.
