Nicole Kidman revealed a surprising requirement she once made of a co-star: no falafel before kissing scenes. The actress shared the story on the podcast Las Culturistas, explaining she asked Alexander Skarsgård to avoid the chickpea-based snack due to her strong aversion to bad breath.
“I’m very intolerant of bad breath,” Kidman stated. “It’s a complete dealbreaker for me. Even if you’re the most handsome, most charming man in the world, if you have bad breath, I will not… I’ll just say no.” She elaborated on how dire the situation would be if she had to turn her head away during a kiss, adding, “I’m out. I don’t care how much money you pay me.”
The incident occurred while filming Big Little Lies, when Skarsgård reportedly ate a falafel sandwich before a scene. Kidman immediately protested, saying “No! No! No!,” and insisted he “put that falafel away” before they filmed an intimate moment. “I’m pretty sure he never ate a falafel again,” she joked. “I said, ‘You cannot have falafel before a kiss, and definitely not before sex!’”
Despite this on-set quirk, Kidman and Skarsgård received critical acclaim for their performances in the first season of Big Little Lies, earning an Emmy Award. Kidman returned for a second season, with Skarsgård appearing in a guest role. A third season of the popular drama is currently in development, with the first two seasons available to stream on HBO Max.
The revelation offers a glimpse into the often-unseen demands and sensitivities that can occur during film and television production. The story quickly gained traction on social media, highlighting the lengths actors will go to ensure a believable on-screen connection.
