35+ Celebrity Who Hated Kissing Their Co-Stars On Screen
The Suite Life of Zack and Cody – Not yet practiced
On Disney Channel’s hit teen sitcom The Suite Life of Zack & Cody, Selena Gomez made a memorable guest appearance that turned into a major career milestone—and a personal one too. During her episode, Selena shared her first on-screen kiss with Dylan Sprouse, marking a big moment in her journey as a young actress. But like many firsts, it didn’t exactly go off without a hitch. The scene, meant to be sweet and innocent, turned into one of those classic Disney Channel awkward moments that lives on in celebrity coming-of-age stories.
Years later, Selena Gomez looked back on the moment with humor during a celebrity interview, admitting she “missed half of his face” during the kiss. It was her first, after all! This sweet yet slightly cringey moment ranks high among celebrity first kiss stories, proving that even future global pop stars have their fair share of awkward teen memories. It’s a relatable reminder that no matter how famous someone becomes, everyone has their own version of a Disney Channel blooper moment.
Pirates of the Caribbean – Choosing her favorite
In the swashbuckling Pirates of the Caribbean saga, Keira Knightley found herself in the enviable position of sharing steamy on-screen kisses with both Orlando Bloom and Johnny Depp. The passionate moments sparked fan debates over which pairing had the better on-screen chemistry. But years later, Keira settled the score—sort of. In a playful InStyle interview, she gave a cheeky but telling answer when asked to choose her favorite kissing co-star. Her coy response added fuel to the fire of celebrity kiss rankings and showed that even in Hollywood, people love a good co-star comparison.
While trying not to play favorites, she coyly said, “Johnny Depp certainly wasn’t bad.” Ouch, sorry Orlando! When it comes to celebrity kiss rankings, it looks like Depp walked away with the win in this epic Hollywood triangle.
Some Like It Hot – Wasn’t actually very hot
Some Like It Hot may be a timeless rom-com classic, complete with glam, comedy, and the legendary Marilyn Monroe—but not all of the on-screen heat translated behind the scenes. Tony Curtis, who shared several intimate moments with Marilyn, later shattered the illusion with a now-infamous comment. Despite the film’s steamy moments, he claimed that kissing Marilyn Monroe was far from magical. In one of the most iconic classic Hollywood kiss confessions, Curtis quipped that kissing her was “like kissing Hitler.” Whether said in jest or frustration, the remark became a legendary piece of celebrity behind-the-scenes drama.
In a now-infamous celebrity interview, Tony Curtis was quoted as saying that kissing Marilyn Monroe was “like kissing Hitler.” Though he later attempted to walk back the remark, the damage was already done. The comment instantly became one of the most jaw-dropping awkward Hollywood kiss confessions of all time—and decades later, it still pops up in romantic movie trivia circles. Whether taken seriously or as an offhand joke, it’s a reminder that even the most iconic screen kisses can come with a side of controversy.
No Strings Attached – It’s all awkward
In No Strings Attached, Ashton Kutcher and Natalie Portman brought serious steam to the screen, playing two friends tangled up in a no-strings-attached relationship. But behind the flirty banter and passion-packed plot, things weren’t quite as smooth. In a candid celebrity kissing confession, Natalie Portman admitted that filming the film’s many intimate scenes was anything but fun. She described them as “awkward,” revealing just how unnatural it can feel to stage romance under bright lights and in front of a full crew. It’s a perfect example of how even the sexiest Hollywood romantic scenes can be pure behind-the-scenes discomfort.
In an interview with E! News, Natalie Portman admitted that kissing scenes—no matter who the co-star is—are just plain awkward. With a full crew watching, bright lights overhead, and multiple takes required, she explained that it feels anything but romantic. It’s a refreshingly honest and relatable entry in the long list of behind-the-scenes kiss confessions, and proof that even Oscar-winning actors aren’t immune to those painfully awkward Hollywood moments.
An Officer and a Gentleman – Negative comments all round
The 1982 romantic drama An Officer and a Gentleman delivered one of cinema’s most iconic love stories, with Debra Winger and Richard Gere sweeping audiences off their feet. But behind the scenes? It was anything but a fairytale. In later interviews, Debra Winger didn’t hold back, describing Gere as “a brick wall” when it came to their on-screen chemistry and kissing scenes. Her brutally honest take became one of the most talked-about awkward celebrity kiss confessions, adding a layer of real-life tension to what was supposed to be a sweeping Hollywood romantic drama.
And that’s not all—Debra Winger also referred to the film’s director as “an animal,” adding even more tension to an already rocky production. Her no-holds-barred honesty quickly earned her a place in celebrity gossip history as one of the most candid actresses in Hollywood. It left fans and critics alike wondering how An Officer and a Gentleman managed to look so romantic on screen despite all the off-screen animosity and behind-the-scenes drama bubbling beneath the surface.
American Hustle – Crushing her dream
Jennifer Lawrence makes yet another appearance on the list—because apparently, she’s had more than her fair share of awkward celebrity kisses. In American Hustle, she finally got the chance to kiss Christian Bale—an actor she once admitted was a major crush. But the dream quickly fizzled. According to Jennifer, by the time the scene rolled around, reality crushed the fantasy. Bale had gained weight for the role, and Jennifer joked that the experience wasn’t quite what she imagined. It’s another classic Hollywood kiss confession, reminding us all that sometimes, kissing your crush on camera is way less sexy than you’d think.
For his role in the film, Christian Bale had to gain a significant amount of weight to fully embody his character. And while he still ranks as a heartthrob to millions, Jennifer Lawrence later confessed that the extra pounds made their kissing scenes a little less thrilling than she had once imagined. It’s a perfect case of expectation vs. reality in Hollywood, proving that even your dream co-star can fall short when the cameras start rolling. Just one more tale in the never-ending saga of celebrity kiss confessions and behind-the-scenes letdowns.
Mallrats – Not a lovely co-star
In the cult-favorite comedy Mallrats, Jason Lee and Shannen Doherty played a snarky on-screen couple whose sarcastic banter kept audiences laughing. But behind the scenes, the vibe was far less lighthearted. In candid celebrity interviews, Jason Lee didn’t mince words when talking about his co-star, calling Shannen Doherty “abrasive and brattish.” Their off-screen tension made for a challenging experience—especially during their romantic scenes. It’s another standout example of celebrity co-star drama, where the awkwardness behind the camera seeped right into the performances, leaving viewers to wonder what was real and what was just really good acting.
Jason Lee even went so far as to say he didn’t enjoy working with Shannen Doherty at all, hinting at serious on-set tension that stood in stark contrast to their playful chemistry on screen. It’s one of those classic cases where actor chemistry issues behind the scenes made filming a real challenge—even if audiences were none the wiser. Proof that sometimes, the biggest performances aren’t in the script—they’re in holding it together long enough to finish the take.
Multiple movies – Numerous invitations
Kevin Hart has built an empire with his breakout performances in comedies like Ride Along, Central Intelligence, and Night School. With his quick wit, energetic charm, and massive box-office appeal, he’s firmly cemented his status as one of the most bankable stars in Hollywood. But despite his comedic range, Hart has made one thing clear in multiple celebrity interviews—he has boundaries. Specifically, he’s turned down roles that involve kissing scenes with male co-stars, citing personal comfort levels. It’s a notable case of Hollywood role refusals, and a reminder that even in an industry built on performance, stars still draw the line on what they’re willing to portray.
Kevin Hart revealed that he’s been offered roles involving kissing scenes with men, but has consistently turned them down, explaining that he has “insecurities about myself trying to play that part.” His candid response sparked ongoing Hollywood casting conversations, especially around the topics of representation and personal choice in acting. Still, Hart has remained firm in his stance, proving that not every actor is comfortable with every role—regardless of the paycheck. It’s a clear example of how celebrity role boundaries and actor comfort zones still play a major role in shaping what we see on screen.