The legendary kiss in the 1999 film "Never Been Kissed" between Drew Barrymore and Michael Vartan has become a rom-com staple, but Vartan recently revealed that there was more to that moment than meets the eye.
During a cast reunion for the romantic comedy on The Drew Barrymore Show, Vartan, now 52, joined Barrymore and their co-stars Molly Shannon and David Arquette on stage. As the clip of their famous kiss played, Vartan was visibly moved, confessing, "I've got to say I haven't seen that clip in years." He added, "This movie has been a huge part of my life. Every time I am stopped, it's always, 'Never Been Kissed.' That's a pretty amazing thing to be a part of, and this reunion is just wonderful."
When Barrymore asked him about any special memories from filming, Vartan recalled a behind-the-scenes story that few people knew about. He admitted that during the passionate kissing scene, he experienced unexpected feelings and got nervous. Not even Barrymore was aware of his predicament at the time. Vartan shared, "I was not ready for it in the least, and I'm a man, I was a very young man back then, and I had uh, feelings."
Realizing he was in a "bad spot," Vartan quickly took action. He yelled "cut" and pretended to have back pain to end the scene prematurely, fearing that the loose slacks he was wearing would cause a wardrobe disaster. Once composed, they continued filming, and the subsequent scenes went smoothly.
Barrymore playfully teased that she went for it because Vartan was single at the time, and they shared a passionate kiss, exactly as she had wanted. Vartan later dated his "Alias" co-star Jennifer Garner and was married to Lauren Skaar from 2011 to 2014.
The reunion also brought up memories of a wrapped gift Barrymore gave Vartan, a small plant, which he revealed he still has after more than 20 years. He keeps a picture of the now 15-16 feet tall plant on his phone, just in case he ever runs into her.
Barrymore described the gift as a "perfect metaphor" for the cult classic "Never Been Kissed," which not only left a lasting impact on viewers but also helped launch the careers of several stars, including James Franco, Octavia Spencer, Jessica Alba, and John C. Reilly.
Barrymore is thrilled to revisit her character, Josie Geller, in season 2 of The Drew Barrymore Show. She plans to send Josie to film premieres to conduct celebrity interviews. For Barrymore, the character of Josie Grossie is deeply personal, representing a journey of self-acceptance that resonates with audiences. "Never Been Kissed" is not just another rom-com for her; it's a story that embodies the struggle and eventual triumph of embracing oneself.
