Nicole Kidman Reveals Kissing Dealbreaker: Lousy Breath

Nicole Kidman has shared a firm boundary when it comes to on-screen intimacy: good breath is non-negotiable. The 58-year-old actress revealed in a recent interview on “The Bodybuilders” podcast that she “cannot stand bad breath,” calling it a “dealbreaker” for potential romantic partners.

“You want me to lean in? Smell good,” Kidman stated. “You could be the most gorgeous, gorgeous guy, and you come at me with bad breath, and I’m like, ‘No, no, no.’ It’s like, if I say ‘breathe on me’ and I have to recoil? Yikes. I’m out. I am out. You could not offer me enough money.”

Kidman emphasized the importance of oral hygiene, adding, “The taste of the mouth and the smell of the mouth is very important to me.”

Falafel and On-Set Scolding

The actress recounted a specific incident while filming intimate scenes with Alexander Skarsgård in the HBO series “Big Little Lies.” She revealed she directly addressed Skarsgård on set after discovering he had eaten a falafel sandwich before a kissing scene.

“I’m like, ‘No, no, no, Alex. I’m meant to be kissing you and into you. Put away the falafel now. Due to the fact that the bad breath does not turn me on,'” Kidman recalled. “I said, ‘No more falafel. Nope. Not before you kiss. Not before you make love. No more falafel. Put the falafel away.'” She joked that she believes Skarsgård hasn’t eaten a falafel since.

“Big Little Lies” and Deeper Themes

“Big Little Lies,” in which Kidman and Skarsgård played a husband and wife, explored the dynamics of abusive relationships. Kidman received critical acclaim for her performance, winning a Critics Choice Award, an Emmy Award, and a Golden Globe Award. She dedicated these awards to honoring real-life victims of domestic abuse, acknowledging the shame and secrecy surrounding the issue.

Current Role and Personal Connection to “Scarpetta”

Kidman is currently starring in the Amazon Prime series “Scarpetta,” portraying Dr. Kay Scarpetta, a forensic pathologist investigating a serial killer. In an interview with USA Today, Kidman discussed the character’s motivation to control death, stemming from the loss of her father at a young age, a sentiment she personally relates to.

“I almost relate to that. I lost my father [in 2014] and my main thing was finding out why,” she explained. “I lost him very suddenly to a heart attack, but I wanted to know why, and it became an obsession. So I acquire why Kay chooses to do the job, because it gives her a sense of control over something that is completely uncontrollable.”

“Scarpetta” also features Jamie Lee Curtis and Ariana DeBose, playing Kidman’s sister and daughter respectively, alongside Bobby Cannavale and his son Jake.