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Mahershala Ali is an exceptional actor, but he draws the line in the sand when it comes to sex scenes.

The Oscar-winning actor is a Muslim and he will not engage in anything that may disrespect his religion.

During a recent convo on Common‘s “Mind Power Mixtape” Podcast, the Oscar-winning actor revealed he was going to turn down his role in The Curious Case of Benjamin Button because the role called for a sex scene with Taraji P. Henson.

So my old agent called me and said, ‘Mahershala, you got the part.’ And I said, ‘There’s just one thing… There is that one sex scene where they kiss… If there’s a sex scene, I can’t do it.’

I don’t do simulated sex.

He went on to share how he was able to do the scene because the director, David Fincher, was respectful of his wishes.

Taraji and I begin to kiss, and we fall out of the frame… It wasn’t clear if [Fincher] was trying to have like some bumping and grinding … which I doubt he was…But for me even … at that time, 15 years ago, I was still like, ‘OK, I can only go up to this point,’ just because of — just trying to hold a space of respect for my religion.

I totally respect Mahershala Ali and his honorable decision to refrain from simulated sex.

Am I a heathen because I am a tad disappointed? ?

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