Kirsten Dunst Opens Up About Uncomfortable Experience Kissing Brad Pitt at 11 Years Old

In the glitzy and often challenging realm of Hollywood, young talents encounter unique challenges while making their mark in the entertainment industry.

From Judy Garland's struggles during The Wizard of Oz to Brooke Shields' early media sexualization, the journeys of young female stars unveil the intricate hurdles they confront.

Kirsten Dunst, known for her childhood stardom, is no stranger to the hardships faced by child actors in Hollywood and the broader media landscape.

Rising to fame for her role in Interview with the Vampire, Dunst candidly shared her unease about having to kiss Brad Pitt when she was just 11.

Her remarks spark discussions on consent, boundaries, and the treatment of young actors within the industry.

For those unfamiliar with Anne Rice's novel Interview with the Vampire's film adaptation, Dunst portrayed Claudia, a 10-year-old girl transformed into a vampire by two adult vampires, Lestat de Lioncourt (Tom Cruise) and Louis de pointe du Lac (Brad Pitt).

The acclaimed movie includes a controversial scene where an 11-year-old Dunst shares a kiss with a 31-year-old Pitt.

Discussing the experience in a recent Vanity Fair interview from 2021 that resurfaced, Dunst expressed, “That was the worst thing I did and also having obviously to kiss Brad Pitt at that point.

I was a little girl, and he was like a brother to me, and it was very weird even though it was a peck.

I was very not into it,” noting, “other than that, I was treated like a total princess on set.”

This isn't the first time Dunst has highlighted the discomfort she felt while filming the kiss scene with a man 20 years her senior.

She had previously raised concerns as a child during press events for the movie.

“I hated [the kiss] so much because Brad was like my older brother on set, and it's kind of like kissing your brother.

It's weird because he's an older guy, and I had to kiss him on the lips, so it was gross,” she shared with Entertainment Tonight.

She also questioned a reporter who asked if she enjoyed kissing Brad Pitt for a shot during promotions for Little Women a year later, stating, “I mean, I'm 12.

And he's, like, 31, and it's like, he's a man.

So why would I enjoy kissing him?”

Although Dunst's uncomfortable encounter happened almost three decades ago, her narrative remains relevant today.

Former child stars from the 2010s, including Jennette McCurdy and Bella Thorne, have come forward about their mistreatment in the industry, where their boundaries were disregarded.

By sharing their stories courageously, figures like Dunst contribute to raising awareness about the darker sides of the entertainment industry, fostering safer and age-appropriate environments for young actors.