Will Smith’s Decision Not to Kiss Co-Actor in ‘Six Degrees of Separation’

Will Smith, a prominent figure in the film industry, played a memorable role in the 1993 movie ‘Six Degrees of Separation'.

During the filming, he made a noteworthy choice by declining to engage in a kissing scene with his co-star, sparking curiosity among viewers.

The list of successful films featuring Will Smith at the box office is extensive.

Despite his involvement in numerous projects, one film that particularly resonated with both critics and audiences was the romantic drama ‘Six Degrees of Separation', released in 1993.

An intriguing aspect of this movie is that Will Smith, portraying the character Paul, refused to kiss his co-star Anthony Michael Hall, who portrayed Trent Conway, just moments before the scene was to be shot.

Directed by Fred Schepisi, ‘Six Degrees of Separation' delves into the lives of an art-dealing couple and an African-American man.

A pivotal moment in the storyline required Will Smith's character, Paul, to share a kiss with Anthony Michael Hall's character, Trent.

Initially willing to proceed with the scene, Smith had a change of heart shortly before filming commenced.

According to information from IMDb, Will Smith's reluctance stemmed from concerns about the potential impact of kissing another man on screen on his public image and career trajectory.

As a result, the kissing scene in ‘Six Degrees of Separation' was cleverly filmed using camera angles that obscured the actors' faces, emphasizing the back of their heads instead.

Will Smith also revealed that renowned actor Denzel Washington advised him against participating in the kissing scene, cautioning that such actions could be misinterpreted by other industry professionals and jeopardize his future opportunities.

Smith acknowledged that Washington's guidance significantly influenced his decision-making process.

In a subsequent interview with a popular entertainment outlet, Will Smith expressed regret over his past choice, recognizing it as a product of youthful immaturity.

Looking ahead, Smith is set to star in the lead role of the upcoming Hollywood biopic ‘King Richard', directed by Reinaldo Marcus Green and scheduled for release in 2021.