Nicole Kidman reveals her worst on-screen kiss: “I can’t stand bad breath”

Nicole Kidman opens up about the most uncomfortable on-screen kiss of her career and explains why bad breath is a complete deal-breaker.

Across more than four decades in the film industry, Nicole Kidman has shared romantic scenes with some of Hollywood’s most admired actors. From intense dramas to major television productions, the Australian actress has built a filmography filled with memorable moments. Yet not all of those memories are particularly glamorous. In a recent interview, Kidman revealed which on-screen kiss she would rather forget, and the reason is as unexpected as it is human: bad breath.

The confession came during her appearance on the popular podcast Las Culturistas, where the actress spoke with humour and striking honesty about some of the less glamorous details of acting. During the conversation, she recalled a scene filmed with Alexander Skarsgård in the acclaimed HBO drama ‘Big Little Lies’, which she starred in alongside Reese Witherspoon, Laura Dern, Shailene Woodley and Zoë Kravitz.

Kidman explained that, just before filming a romantic scene, her co-star made a small mistake that did not go unnoticed. Skarsgård had eaten a falafel sandwich minutes before the take, something that immediately disrupted the atmosphere of the scene.

“When Alexander Skarsgård ate a falafel before filming our scenes in ‘Big Little Lies’, I said: ‘No, no, no, Alex’,” Kidman recalled, laughing. “I’m supposed to feel attracted to you and kiss you, so put the falafel away right now, because bad breath does not excite me at all.”

The actress joked that after that moment she told her colleague he might want to avoid falafel before romantic scenes. “I’m pretty sure he never ate falafel again before filming,” she added with irony.

Beyond the anecdote, Nicole Kidman made it clear that a co-star’s breath can be a crucial detail when filming intimate moments. “The taste and smell of someone’s mouth are very important,” she explained. “I don’t think I could do it if someone had bad breath. For me, it’s a real deal-breaker.”

The actress was even more direct about how she reacts in those situations. “You can be the most handsome man in the world, but if you come towards me with bad breath, it’s over,” she said. “If I say ‘breathe on me’ and I have to pull away… then no. There isn’t enough money to convince me.”

The story reveals a more everyday side of the entertainment industry, where actors must build convincing chemistry on camera while working through long and demanding shooting schedules. Although audiences often imagine these scenes as romantic or seductive moments, performers know that behind them lies a precise choreography, repeated takes and practical details that can completely change the experience.

In the case of Kidman and Skarsgård, their work together in ‘Big Little Lies’ was widely praised by critics. Created by David E. Kelley and based on the novel by Liane Moriarty, the series became one of the most influential television productions of the past decade, exploring themes such as domestic violence, power dynamics and the complexities of family life.

Kidman’s comments also arrive during a significant personal moment. After nearly twenty years of marriage, Nicole Kidman and musician Keith Urban confirmed their divorce in January 2026, following a separation that had begun several months earlier. The couple, who met in 2005 and married the following year, share two daughters: Sunday Rose, 17, and Faith Margaret, 15.

In a recent interview with Variety, the actress spoke for the first time about the end of the relationship. “I was very quiet. There were many other things happening in my life. I was quite closed off within myself,” she said while reflecting on what she described as a particularly difficult year in 2025.

According to the terms of their divorce agreement, both committed to maintaining a respectful relationship and avoiding negative public comments about each other. The document also states that all decisions regarding their daughters will be made jointly.

“They will not speak negatively about each other or about members of the other parent’s family,” the legal agreement specifies. “They will encourage each child to continue loving the other parent and to feel comfortable within both families.”

While navigating this new personal chapter, Nicole Kidman continues to maintain an active professional schedule. The actress is currently preparing the release of ‘Scarpetta’, a new television series based on the novels by Patricia Cornwell, further consolidating a career that, even after decades in the industry, continues to evolve with the same curiosity and commitment that have defined her work from the very beginning.