Austin Nichols has opened up about the "bizarre" and "unsettling" experience of kissing a 15-year-old Mary-Kate Olsen during their film collaboration. In the 2001 movie, "Holiday in the Sun," Nichols portrayed Griffen Grayson, the romantic interest of Olsen's character, Madison Stewart. During a recent episode of the "Drama Queens" podcast, hosted by his former "One Tree Hill" costars Sophia Bush, Hilarie Burton Morgan, and Bethany Joy Lenz, Nichols reflected on his role with a poignant candor.
"I was incredibly nervous," he confessed. "Mary-Kate was just 15, while I was probably 18, 19, or maybe even 20—I can't recall exactly, but I was undeniably older. It felt odd, it felt inappropriate." By the time the film hit theaters, Nichols had turned 21.
He went on to describe his own youthful appearance, suggesting that the age gap might not be immediately apparent to viewers. "I'm tall, lanky, and somewhat nerdy, so I didn't think the age difference would be that noticeable," he mused. "But in my mind, I kept thinking, 'She's 15. This is not right. This is strange.'"
Nichols recounted his anxieties, sharing, "I remember discussing it with the producers and even her father who was on set. I asked, 'Is this okay with you guys?' And they all brushed it off, saying, 'Don't worry about it.' No one else seemed concerned, but I was deeply troubled. Fortunately, everything remained very G-rated."
Bush commended Nichols for addressing the situation head-on. "That really speaks volumes about your character," she said. "Olsen sisters have been acting since they were kids. It's not as if a 15-year-old girl was experiencing her first kiss with a man five years her senior. But the fact that, as the older actor, you were concerned enough to ask, 'How do we handle this? Yes, it's our job, but we also need to acknowledge what's happening here,' speaks volumes. I have immense respect for you for that."
