35+ Celebrity Who Hated Kissing Their Co-Stars On Screen
Twilight – A legit love-triangle
The Twilight saga didn’t just ignite a global fan frenzy—it also sparked some real-life drama. While Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson were romantically involved off-screen, Kristen also had intimate kissing scenes with Taylor Lautner, who portrayed the third point in the saga’s iconic love triangle. What unfolded wasn’t just great for the cameras—it added layers of celebrity relationship drama that blurred the lines between fiction and reality. It’s a rare case where on-screen tension mirrored the behind-the-scenes vibe, making the Twilight love triangle feel a little too legit for comfort.
Filming those scenes came with plenty of on-set awkwardness—not because of jealousy, but because the whole situation felt surprisingly unnatural. Fortunately, the cast kept things light, and Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner reportedly laughed their way through the weirdness. Still, it remains one of those rare Hollywood moments where real-life romance stirred up more tension than the actual script. The result? A celebrity love triangle that felt all too real, both on and off screen.
Public Enemies – Nervousness stole the scene
In the gritty crime drama Public Enemies, Johnny Depp and Carey Mulligan were meant to share a powerful romantic moment—but nerves had other plans. According to reports, Carey Mulligan was so anxious about kissing Johnny that the scene had to be reshot 16 times. Despite all the effort, the kiss still didn’t make the final cut. It’s a classic case of awkward celebrity kisses derailed by Hollywood nervous moments, and one of those fascinating deleted movie scenes that prove even top actors can get flustered when the pressure’s on.
According to insiders, the chemistry just never clicked. Carey Mulligan’s nervous energy made the scene feel stiff and unnatural, and despite multiple takes, it never quite hit the emotional mark. Ultimately, the filmmakers made the call to cut the kissing scene altogether. It’s a prime example of how a lack of actor chemistry can impact even the most anticipated moments on film—and how those seemingly effortless romantic scenes often require way more than just star power to succeed.
I Love Trouble – They couldn’t even do it for real
The romantic tension in I Love Trouble between Julia Roberts and Nick Nolte may have looked convincing on screen, but behind the scenes, it was anything but. Their notorious off-screen feud created so much friction that the actors reportedly couldn’t even finish their own kissing scenes—forcing the studio to use body doubles instead. It’s one of the most extreme examples of celebrity behind-the-scenes drama, where the dislike between co-stars was so intense, they couldn’t even pretend to like each other for the cameras.
Julia Roberts reportedly made some harsh remarks about Nick Nolte in a New York Times interview—comments that didn’t go unnoticed. In response, Nolte fired back publicly, stating, “She’s not a nice person.” This high-profile celebrity drama is a prime example of how deep-seated Hollywood tension can spill far beyond the set, turning an on-screen romance into a full-blown off-screen feud that left a lasting mark on both their careers—and the film itself.
Passenger – Kissing a married man
In the sci-fi romance Passengers, Jennifer Lawrence and Chris Pratt shared a steamy, high-stakes love story that lit up headlines with their undeniable on-screen chemistry. But behind the scenes, things weren’t quite so simple. In a candid celebrity interview, Jennifer revealed that filming their kissing scenes wasn’t easy—not because of Pratt himself, but because he was married to Anna Faris at the time. She admitted to feeling guilt and discomfort, making it one of those rare moments where kissing a married co-star raised real Hollywood ethical boundaries that actors don’t often talk about.
Jennifer Lawrence later admitted she was overwhelmed with guilt and anxiety during the filming process, calling it one of the most uncomfortable things she’s ever had to do as an actress. It’s a powerful example of the moral dilemmas in Hollywood, where celebrity kissing scenes aren’t just about performance—they can carry unexpected emotional challenges for actors, especially when real-life relationships are involved. Sometimes, it’s not just the scene that’s complicated—it’s the conscience behind it.
Blade Runner – The ‘hate scene’
The 1982 sci-fi masterpiece Blade Runner gave us a moody, futuristic romance between Harrison Ford and Sean Young, but off-screen, the story was far less romantic. Their tension was so obvious that their love scene was jokingly renamed the “hate scene” by those on set.
Despite their characters sharing intense, emotional moments, Harrison Ford and Sean Young reportedly disliked each other deeply, making every intimate scene a challenge to film. It’s a textbook example of on-screen vs. off-screen tension, where compelling acting had to mask the uncomfortable reality behind the camera. This celebrity co-star feud serves as a reminder that even in iconic films, filming challenges in Hollywood can run deeper than most fans ever realize.
Scary Movie – Signing a waiver
In Scary Movie 5, Lindsay Lohan and Charlie Sheen teamed up for a hilariously chaotic bedroom scene that included a kiss—but the behind-the-scenes drama was even more absurd than what made it into the film. According to reports, Lindsay Lohan demanded last-minute script changes she wasn’t happy with, but when those were denied, things took a turn. She allegedly refused to kiss Sheen unless he signed a legal waiver ensuring he was free of cold sores. Yes, really. It’s one of the most bizarre cases of celebrity contract demands and a top-tier entry in the hall of fame for awkward kissing scenes in Hollywood.
Before filming, both stars reportedly signed a legal waiver stating they were free of cold sores. This odd behind-the-scenes requirement became one of the most bizarre examples of Hollywood kissing scene precautions, and one of the most unusual entries in celebrity gossip headlines.
The Pelican Brief – Taking a stand
In The Pelican Brief, Denzel Washington and Julia Roberts led the charge in a high-stakes political thriller filled with suspense and intrigue. While many fans anticipated a romantic moment between the two stars, a kiss never happened—and that was no accident. Denzel Washington reportedly declined to film a romantic scene with Julia, not due to any personal issue, but as a deliberate choice. His decision was rooted in a desire to avoid perpetuating stereotypes and to maintain the support of his core fan base, particularly among Black female audiences. It’s a powerful example of celebrity integrity influencing on-screen romance decisions, showing that sometimes what doesn’t happen on screen speaks volumes.
In later interviews, Denzel Washington explained his reasoning: he wanted to avoid alienating his core audience—Black women, who were already underrepresented in romantic lead roles. His bold choice wasn’t just personal—it was a statement. It brought attention to the importance of representation in Hollywood and sparked meaningful conversations about race, casting, and audience perception. This moment remains one of the most powerful examples of celebrity film ethics, where an actor’s personal values reshaped a story and made a lasting impact on influential casting decisions in the industry.
Martin – Filing a lawsuit
The hit ’90s sitcom Martin gave viewers a hilarious and heartfelt portrayal of love between Tisha Campbell and Martin Lawrence, whose chemistry made them one of TV’s most memorable couples. But behind the scenes, things were far from comedic. Tisha Campbell eventually filed a lawsuit against Martin Lawrence, alleging inappropriate behavior and harassment on set. What began as an on-screen love story turned into a deeply troubling case of off-screen controversy, highlighting one of the more serious examples of Hollywood harassment cases and celebrity lawsuits that rocked the entertainment world.
According to reports, Tisha Campbell alleged that Martin Lawrence forced an unscripted kiss on her during filming—an incident that escalated to the point where she left the show temporarily. What unfolded became one of the most disturbing and high-profile celebrity lawsuits involving co-stars, shedding light on serious Hollywood misconduct hidden beneath the laugh tracks. It’s a stark reminder that not all on-screen romance reflects reality—and sometimes, the truth behind the scenes is far more troubling than what plays out on camera.
Modern Family – Was it because of Eric?
In the award-winning sitcom Modern Family, Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Eric Stonestreet brought heart and humor to their roles as Mitchell and Cameron, quickly becoming one of TV’s most beloved couples. But as the show progressed, fans couldn’t help but notice something odd—a noticeable lack of kissing scenes between the two. While straight couples on the show regularly displayed affection, Mitch and Cam’s on-screen intimacy was often toned down or absent altogether. This sparked debate about same-sex representation in TV and raised questions about whether it had anything to do with Eric Stonestreet, who, despite his convincing performance, is straight in real life.
Despite their strong on-screen chemistry, the show faced criticism for avoiding more intimate moments between the two, leading to discussions about LGBTQ+ representation in mainstream television. While no clear reason was ever confirmed, many wondered if it was because Eric Stonestreet, unlike Jesse, is not gay in real life. Whatever the cause, the absence of physical affection became a surprising point of contention in an otherwise progressive show.
The Mosquito Coast – Opening up about the past
In the 1986 drama The Mosquito Coast, Helen Mirren and Harrison Ford—two of Hollywood’s most iconic stars—shared a series of intense and emotional romantic scenes that had audiences intrigued. But behind the cinematic heat, things were a little cooler. In a candid BBC interview, Helen Mirren later confessed that Harrison Ford wasn’t exactly the world’s greatest kisser. Her brutally honest celebrity kiss confession added an unexpected twist to what many assumed was flawless chemistry. It’s a perfect example of how even the most seasoned Hollywood legends can deliver a little awkward romance when the cameras stop rolling.
Though Helen Mirren praised Harrison Ford as a kind and lovely person, she didn’t sugarcoat the truth—his kisses, both on and off screen, left something to be desired. Her refreshingly honest take has since become one of the more unexpected Hollywood kissing scene critiques in recent memory. It’s yet another reminder that celebrity chemistry doesn’t always translate into real-life passion, and that even the most iconic pairings can fall flat when it comes to those close-up romantic moments.
Camille – Call the dentist
In the offbeat romantic comedy Camille, James Franco and Sienna Miller played a quirky pair of newlyweds, yet surprisingly, the film featured just one kissing scene. When asked about it in a celebrity interview, Franco casually brushed it off, saying the moment “wasn’t all that intense.” His lukewarm response quickly turned into one of those awkward celebrity interview moments that had fans raising eyebrows. It’s a classic on-screen romance letdown, and with a title like Camille, many expected a bit more heat—and a little less need to, as some joked, call the dentist.
As it turns out, Sienna Miller was quietly battling tooth pain during filming and had even consulted a dentist before shooting the scene. That behind-the-scenes detail may just explain the missing spark. It’s a perfect reminder that even the most basic Hollywood romantic scenes can be completely derailed by unexpected real-life filming issues—because nothing kills the mood quite like a toothache during a close-up.