The internet basically went into a collective meltdown in August 2023. When Prime Video finally dropped the film adaptation of Casey McQuiston’s bestselling novel Red, White & Royal Blue, people weren't just talking about the political intrigue or the chemistry between the leads. They were talking about one specific, very vulnerable moment. Specifically, the Taylor Zakhar Perez butt shot that occurs during a pivotal scene between Alex Claremont-Diaz and Prince Henry.
It wasn't just mindless thirst. Well, maybe a little. But mostly, it represented a shift in how Hollywood handles male nudity in romantic comedies.
For years, the "male gaze" dominated cinema. Women were the ones frequently bared for the camera while men stayed safely tucked behind strategically placed sheets or conveniently timed camera cuts. But director Matthew López took a different path. In the scene where Alex (Perez) and Henry (Nicholas Galitzine) finally consummate their long-simmering tension in a Paris hotel room, the camera doesn't shy away. It captures a moment of raw, physical intimacy that felt grounded and real.
The Reality Behind the Taylor Zakhar Perez Butt Scene
Let’s be real: filming these scenes is anything but sexy. Taylor Zakhar Perez has been refreshingly open about the logistics involved in that specific sequence. During the press cycle and subsequent interviews, it came out that the production utilized an intimacy coordinator—Robbie Taylor Hunt—to ensure everyone felt safe.
Intimacy coordinators are the unsung heroes of modern sets. They treat sex scenes like stunts. Every move is choreographed.
Perez actually joked about the "grooming" process involved. He mentioned in an interview with GQ that he had to be very conscious of how he looked from behind, given the camera's positioning. It wasn't just about showing skin; it was about the vulnerability of the character. Alex is a guy who is usually in total control. He’s a fast-talking, high-achieving political scion. In that moment in Paris, showing the Taylor Zakhar Perez butt on screen was a visual shorthand for Alex stripping away his defenses. He was literally and figuratively exposed to the man he loved.
The "cheeky" shot—pun absolutely intended—wasn't just a random insert. It served the narrative. It showed the transition from the frantic, suit-wearing public personas of these two men to their private, unadorned selves.
Why the Internet Can't Stop Talking About It
Social media is a weird place. Within minutes of the movie's release, screenshots and GIFs were everywhere. Twitter (now X) was a literal minefield of spoilers and "appreciation posts."
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But there’s a deeper conversation here about the "thirst trap" vs. "artistic choice."
When we talk about the Taylor Zakhar Perez butt scene, we’re talking about the democratization of the "body reveal." For a long time, queer cinema was either tragic or extremely chaste to avoid offending mainstream audiences. Red, White & Royal Blue refused to play that game. It’s a big-budget, glossy rom-com that treats a gay sex scene with the same reverence and "hotness" usually reserved for straight leads in movies like How to Lose a Guy in 10 Days.
Perez himself is a former swimmer. He’s athletic. He’s built like, well, a romantic lead. Seeing that reflected on screen without the usual "shame" or "darkness" associated with LGBTQ+ intimacy was a big deal for fans. It felt celebratory.
The Logistics of a "Nude" Scene
You might think it's just a guy standing there. It's not.
There are modesty garments involved.
There's body makeup to ensure the skin tone is even under the harsh studio lights.
There's the lighting crew, the sound tech, and the director all watching.
Taylor actually mentioned that the "Paris" scene was filmed on a closed set, but even then, you're surrounded by professionals. He had to trust Nicholas Galitzine. He had to trust Matthew López. Most importantly, he had to trust that the audience would see the love in the scene, not just the anatomy.
Honestly, the chemistry is what sold it. If the actors hadn't been so clearly in sync, a shot like that might have felt exploitative or like "cheap heat." Instead, it felt like a natural extension of their relationship. People weren't just looking at a body; they were looking at Alex Claremont-Diaz finally letting someone in.
Breaking Down the "Gym Routine" Expectations
Whenever a male actor has a nude or semi-nude scene that goes viral, the first thing people ask is: "What was the workout?"
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Taylor Zakhar Perez didn't just wake up looking like that. He’s a naturally active guy—he loves hiking, surfing, and outdoor sports. But for Red, White & Royal Blue, the stakes were higher. He was playing the "First Son of the United States." He needed to look like someone who spent time in the White House gym but also had the youthful energy of a college grad.
He didn't go for the "Marvel Superhero" look. You know the one. Dehydrated, veins popping, looking like a Greek statue that hasn't eaten a carb in six months.
Instead, he went for a more "attainable" (I use that word loosely) athleticism. It made the Taylor Zakhar Perez butt scene feel more human. He looked like a guy in his 20s who takes care of himself, not a CGI creation. This groundedness is part of why the scene resonated. It didn't feel "fake."
The Impact on Career Trajectories
Let’s be honest: a viral moment like this can either pigeonhole an actor or skyrocket them.
For Taylor, it seems to be the latter. He proved he could handle the "leading man" mantle. He showed he could handle the physical demands of a role while maintaining the emotional core. Since the movie came out, his following has exploded. He’s become a fashion week staple and a sought-after name for major brands.
It’s interesting to compare this to other actors who had "the scene." Think of Theo James in The White Lotus or even the early days of Brad Pitt. There is a specific kind of fame that comes from being the subject of the "internet's obsession."
The key is how the actor handles it. Taylor has been incredibly cool about the whole thing. He doesn't shy away from the fact that he's a sex symbol, but he also focuses heavily on the craft and the importance of the representation in the film. He knows the Taylor Zakhar Perez butt discourse is part of the package, but it's not the whole story.
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Misconceptions About the Shot
There was some weird speculation online that it was a body double.
It wasn't.
Perez confirmed it was him.
In an era of deepfakes and AI, people are naturally skeptical, but the authenticity of that scene is what makes it stand out. Using a double would have disconnected the physical vulnerability from the emotional performance. By doing it himself, Taylor committed 100% to the character's journey.
Also, some people thought the scene was "too much" for a PG-13 or "light" rom-com. But the movie is Rated R for a reason. It wanted to be honest about adult relationships. It didn't want to fade to black the second things got interesting.
Actionable Takeaways for Navigating Modern Fan Culture
If you're a fan or just someone curious about why this became such a huge SEO trend, there are a few things to keep in mind about how we consume celebrity content in 2026.
1. Respect the boundaries of the actors.
Even though the scene is public, remember that these are people. Taylor Zakhar Perez chose to share that part of himself for a specific artistic project. Engaging with the work is great; harassing actors in their personal lives or DMs is not.
2. Support the use of intimacy coordinators.
The reason that scene looked so good and felt so safe is because of the professional standards on set. If you like seeing high-quality, respectful intimacy on screen, support the productions that prioritize these roles.
3. Look for the narrative, not just the visual.
The next time a scene like the Taylor Zakhar Perez butt moment goes viral, ask yourself what it's saying about the character. Is it about power? Vulnerability? Freedom? Usually, the best "viral moments" are the ones that actually mean something to the story.
4. Diversify your "leading man" expectations.
The success of Red, White & Royal Blue shows that audiences are hungry for different types of stories and different types of leading men. We don't always need the "macho" stereotype. We can have leads who are sensitive, funny, and comfortable with their physicality in a way that isn't just about dominance.
The conversation around Taylor Zakhar Perez isn't slowing down. Whether he's hitting the red carpet or starring in his next big project, that moment in the Paris hotel room will always be remembered as the time a romantic comedy decided to be a little more daring, a little more honest, and a lot more memorable.
Check out the "Making Of" features on Prime Video if you want to see more about the technical side of the production. It's actually fascinating to see how they built the sets to allow for those long, sweeping shots that captured the actors so naturally.