Nicole Kidman has shared countless passionate on-screen kisses throughout her decades-long career in Hollywood. But one actor nearly ruined the moment – thanks to a surprising “deal breaker” the actor says she simply cannot tolerate.
Nicole Kidman, 58, recently admitted that filming a kiss with one co-star became unexpectedly difficult – not because of nerves or lack of chemistry, but because of one thing she simply cannot tolerate.
The surprising confession came during a recent podcast appearance, when the actor recalled an awkward moment on set involving one of her well-known co-stars.
‘Extraordinary to work with Nicole’
The incident happened while Kidman was filming HBO’s hit drama Big Little Lies, where she starred alongside Alexander Skarsgård.
The series, which follows the lives of several women in Monterey, California, featured some of the most intense scenes of Kidman’s television career.
Her character, Celeste Wright, is trapped in a violent and psychologically complex relationship with Skarsgård’s character, Perry.
The filming process required both actors to push themselves emotionally and physically.
Speaking on KISS FM’s Kyle and Jackie O Show, Skarsgård later reflected on the demanding nature of those scenes.
“I mean, it was extraordinary to work with Nicole. She’s not only an incredible actress but she’s also like the most lovely and generous and sweet woman. So of course, shooting those scenes were horrible. Absolutely horrible,” he said.
Skarsgård explained that the violent nature of many scenes meant the actors had to build a strong sense of trust before filming.
“Nicole and I had some time together to build up that trust before shooting those scenes which was crucial to have.”
The foul falafel
While Big Little Lies is remembered for its emotional and dramatic scenes, one behind-the-scenes moment took a surprisingly humorous turn.
During an appearance on the Las Culturistas podcast, Kidman recalled an awkward moment while filming a kissing scene with Skarsgård when his breath suddenly became impossible to ignore.
“I’m like, ‘No, no, no, Alex,’” she joked.
“’I’m meant to be into you and kissing you – put away the falafel now because the bad breath does not turn me on,” Kidman recalled, explaining that a co-star’s breath can quickly ruin the illusion of a romantic scene.
For Kidman, bad breath is an absolute deal-breaker.
“I don’t think so honey, if you have bad breath,” she said. “I cannot stand bad breath. This is a deal-breaker for me. You could be the most gorgeous, gorgeous guy, and you came at me with bad breath, I’m like, no.’”
Kidman joked that the incident may have permanently changed Skarsgård’s eating habits on set.
“I’m sure [Skarsgård] did not eat a falafel ever again,” she said.
She even offered a simple rule for actors preparing for romantic scenes: “‘No more falafel. Not before you kiss, not before you make love.’”
Kidman reflects on life after her split
The light-hearted anecdote comes as Kidman has also been speaking publicly about her personal life.
After nearly two decades with country singer Keith Urban, the actress recently addressed how she has been coping following their separation.
In an interview with Variety published March 11, she said she is focused on moving forward.
“I’m always going to be moving toward what’s good,” she said when asked if she was “doing all right” in the months following the split.
Kidman filed for divorce from Urban in September 2025, and their separation was finalized on Jan. 6, 2026. The former couple share two daughters, Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 15, and Kidman said that through it all, her focus remains firmly on family.
“What I’m grateful for is my family and keeping them as is and moving forward. That’s that,” she explained. “Everything else I don’t discuss out of respect. I’m staying in a place of, ‘We are a family,’ and that’s what we’ll continue to be. My beautiful girls, my darlings, who are suddenly women.”
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