Lala Kent Says She Was “Terrified” to Have Sober Sex For the First Time

Lala Kent is redefining her relationship with sex. The 32-year-old actress joined Meghan King’s “Intimate Knowledge” podcast and opened up about her first time having sex while sober.

Kent, who was previously engaged to film producer Randall Emmett, said, “I got into a relationship when I was in my alcoholism, and then I got sober with this person, so I was already comfortable.” But she wasn’t used to having sex without “some liquid courage,” she told King.

Acknowledging that the experience was new to her, Kent said, “I was so terrified to have sex sober because I had never done it before.”

Many people use alcohol to ease social and sexual interactions. The CDC reported that in 2018, 66 percent of people 18 and over had consumed alcohol in the past year and adults who regularly felt worried, anxious, or depressed were more likely to engage in heavy drinking in the past year. And because alcohol use is often so normalized — it’s at most parties, celebrations, and even work events — it can be easy to develop a dependency. In fact, a recent study found that 4.3 million American adults are regular presex drinkers, which can lead to unintended consequences like unprotected sex and STI transmission.

For Kent, who earlier this year was honored with the Spirit of Sobriety Award from the Brent Shapiro Foundation, sobriety is about staying present for her daughter, Ocean. Kent recently celebrated four years of sobriety, writing on Instagram, “Today marks 4 years of sobriety. The weekend was full of love & support. Being present for my daughter… that part is priceless. I’m grateful, & extremely humbled by each birthday that passes. But y’all, I am proooooud! Hell yessss, Lala. You better work, girl.”