When Kirsten Dunst was merely 6 years old, she entered the world of acting through the Woody Allen short film “Oedipus Wrecks.”
Her journey in the industry soared rapidly from thereon.
She graced screens alongside renowned figures such as Tom Hanks and Bruce Willis, achieving a breakthrough role at the tender age of 11 in 1994.
Dunst landed the role of Claudia in the film adaptation of Anne Rice's novel “Interview with the Vampire.”
Portraying a 10-year-old transformed into a vampire, she shared a controversial scene with Brad Pitt, who played Louis de Pointe du Lac.
The moment captured them locking lips, marking Dunst's first kiss at the age of 11.
Reflecting on this experience in 2021, Dunst disclosed to Vanity Fair that kissing Pitt was one of her least favorite aspects of filming.
Despite being treated like royalty on set, she grappled with this specific script segment.
During a recollection of an intense scene involving biting a sweaty actor's neck, Dunst expressed her discomfort towards the kiss with Pitt, citing their brotherly bond and the awkwardness of the situation due to their age gap.
Dunst had been vocal about her aversion to the kiss even during promotional events for the movie.
In interviews following the film's release, she candidly shared her distaste for the scene, describing it as akin to kissing a brother and deeming it unpleasant.
A resurfaced 1994 interview circulating on TikTok showcased Dunst being questioned about the kiss during the promotional tour for “Little Women.”
The interaction drew attention to the interviewer and Dunst's co-star Samantha Matthis, prompting admiration for Dunst's assertiveness despite her young age.
In the clip, Dunst struggles with the discomfort of the kiss, highlighting the significant age difference between her and Pitt.
Matthis's response, contrasting Dunst's sentiments by expressing willingness to kiss Pitt, further emphasized Dunst's unease.
Viewers commended Dunst for her sensible demeanor in the interview, criticizing the adult figures for expecting a different reaction from the young actress and invalidating her feelings by suggesting she might not be interested in boys yet.
While some debated the age appropriateness of the scenario, Dunst's handling of the situation garnered universal praise for her courage in voicing her discomfort and standing her ground.
The impact of Dunst's encounter on “Interview with the Vampire” extended to her future roles, as she declined an offer to play a teen character involved with Kevin Spacey in “American Beauty” due to the discomfort she felt after her prior experience.
Instead, the role was taken up by Mena Suvari.
Dunst's ordeal shed light on the complexities faced by young actors in navigating uncomfortable situations within the industry, emphasizing the importance of respecting their boundaries and acknowledging their perspectives.
