Resurfaced Interview Shows 12-Year-Old Kirsten Dunst Talking About Her ‘Weird’ Onscreen Kiss With 31-Year-Old Brad Pitt

Aug 15, 2023

Trigger Warning: This article contains mentions of sexual themes involving minors that may be troubling for some readers.

Kirsten Dunst has acted in Hollywood since she was a child. She started out in television commercials, and earned her first role in the short film “Oedipus Wrecks.” She made other film and TV appearances, but it wasn’t until 1994, when she was just 12 years old, that she had her breakthrough role in "Interview with the Vampire." 

Throughout the '90s and '00s, she was a leading lady in many teen films, including "The Virgin Suicides" and "Bring It On.” She also starred opposite Tobey Maguire in Sam Raimi's "Spider-Man." Since then, she has successfully transitioned to adult roles with parts in "Melancholia," "Fargo," and "On Becoming a God in Central Florida," among several others.

Brad Pitt needs no introduction. The award-winning actor started his foray into acting in 1987 with uncredited parts in three movies, including, “No Way Out,” “No Man's Land,” and “Less than Zero.” Pitt continued to feature in big and small screen projects until he got his breakthrough role in “Thelma and Louise.” Since then, the actor has built a solid foundation in the industry, winning the Academy Awards, Golden Globe Awards, and Primetime Emmy Awards, among others.

In 1994, Dunst and Pitt crossed paths when they starred in the critically acclaimed horror film “Interview with the Vampire.” Dunst played the role of 10-year-old Claudia, who was turned into a vampire by Louis de Pointe du Lac, portrayed by Pitt. Although the movie was good for their careers, Dunst still carries an unforgettable memory from the scene when she had to kiss then-31-year-old Pitt. On Aug. 2, 2023, an old interview where the actress spoke about the kiss resurfaced online. Keep reading to know what Dunst said about the kiss.

Dunst's personal life is even more interesting than her life on screen. While the world may know Dunst as an incredible actress, it's not so well known that she has a strong interest in and a great eye for interior design. Before she moved into the ranch house that she now shares with Jesse Plemons and their two sons, Dunst had previously lived in Toluca Lake for 18 years. 

The Toluca Lake home was a Cape-Cod style abode that featured five bedrooms and 4.5 bathrooms. The 4,333-foot house also had a flourishing garden, while in the back, it featured a quaint lakeside porch with a semicircular dock. After living there for over 18 years, Dunst sold the property for $4.7 million in 2019.

When Dunst moved to start a family with Plemons, she let herself revel in her love for interior design. Dunst made sure the house was designed and furnished to her taste. What's so special about it is that Dunst has a penchant for antiques, and every item seems to have a touching backstory, including items that remind her of previous film roles. 

Outside of her apparent love for beautiful interiors, Dunst is also popular for her relationship life. She dated actor Jake Gyllenhaal for two years until 2004, when their relationship ended on friendly terms. She moved on in 2012 to actor Garrett Hedlund. The former lovebirds were together for four years and were engaged for a short while before they broke up in 2016. In the same year, she started dating Plemons after they both starred in “Fargo.” The two got engaged in 2017, welcomed two children in 2018 and 2021, respectively, and got married in 2022.

Dunst had her first kiss when she was barely 12 years old on the set of “Interview with the Vampire.” At different times, including in chats with ET, Bobbie Wygant, and Vanity Fair after starring in the movie, Dunst spoke about how awkward sharing a kiss with the much older actor was. She called it "weird" and "gross."

The 1994 interview with Bobbie Wygant, which resurfaced on TikTok, was labeled uncomfortable. The interview, which was conducted during the promotional tour for “Little Women,” featured Dunst and her costar Samantha Matthis. Dunst bared it all out when she was quizzed about kissing Pitt.

“Did you really hate kissing Brad Pitt?” the reporter asked.  

“Yeah because, well, y’know what, I love Brad, he’s so nice… it was just, like, it feels awkward,” she shared.

“I mean I’m 12,” she went on. “And he’s, like, 31 and it’s like, he’s a man. So why would I enjoy kissing him?”

Dunst’s uncomfortable giggle mirrored her response, but the reporter simply laughed and proceeded to ask the then 24-year-old Matthis what she would do if she had a chance to kiss Pitt.

“Oh, I don’t think I’d turn it down!” Matthis replied. “I mean, he’s a wonderful actor too though, but I understand.” 

“Maybe you’re not into kissing boys yet, so I can relate,” she continued, referring to Dunst.

The reporter proceeded to ask Dunst if the kiss would have been better if she were 15 years old. “Yeah,” Dunst awkwardly agreed. “There we go!" Matthis reacted.

“Well, especially because Brad is 31,” Dunst refusted. “I mean, he’s not exactly a boy.”

In reaction to the interview, TikTok users took to the comment section to applaud Dunst for insisting that it was awkward to kiss the older actor.

“She’s so well spoken at that age and pretty fearless,” commented one user. “It’s amazing she voiced her concerns,” commented another.

What do you think of the resurfaced interview? What do you think of how Kirsten Dunst held her ground? Let us know — and pass this article on to friends, family members, and Kirsten Dunst fans.

If you or anybody you know has experienced sexual assault, please visit HelpGuide.org to find your local hotline. The hotlines provide confidential support for you or your loved ones, and best practices for professionals.