Billy Baldwin Says He Pleaded with Producers ‘Don’t Make Me Kiss Her’ amid Tension with Sharon Stone on 1993’s “Sliver”

In a recent revelation, actor Billy Baldwin has shed light on the turbulent dynamics between him and fellow star Sharon Stone while filming the 1993 erotic thriller *Sliver*. Baldwin’s comments follow a series of claims made by Stone regarding suggestions from producer Robert Evans that the two actors engage in intimate relations to improve their on-screen chemistry.

Baldwin, now 63, recalled the challenges he faced during production on the *Lisa Guerrero’s Unleashed* podcast, where he described a notable level of tension between him and Stone. Their film portrays a complicated romance between a video game designer, portrayed by Baldwin, and a book editor played by Stone. Initial reports have indicated that their off-screen relationship became increasingly strained as filming progressed.

In her memoir penned in 2021, Stone, who is now 68, alleged that she felt coerced into having sexual relations with Baldwin to enhance his performance in the film. This assertion was echoed in a 2023 podcast episode with British journalist Louis Theroux, where she revealed that it was Evans who suggested that they sleep together as a means to “break the ice.”

Baldwin confirmed this claim, recounting how Evans, a powerful figure in Hollywood, made the proposition without sensitivity to the cultural context of the time. Reflecting on the infamous producer’s advice, Baldwin said, “He was like, ‘Just f— him and get it over with. Like, break the ice and let’s get the chemistry going.’” This directive, according to Baldwin, exacerbated the unease between him and Stone, leading to an even more awkward filming environment.

The actor noted that as a result of the mounting pressure, Stone cut off casual conversations with him altogether. Baldwin then related his attempt to address the issue directly with Evans, suggesting a change in how their final love scene would be filmed. He candidly stated, “I said to Evans, ‘I can’t do the last love scene,’” revealing a hesitance to engage in any intimate contact with Stone. Ultimately, they managed to choreograph the scene without requiring a kiss, which Baldwin described as being “really effective.”

Interestingly, neither actor was fully aware of the previous conversations held between Baldwin and Evans regarding their on-screen interactions. Baldwin remarked that Stone would only discover the reasoning behind the final scene’s choreography in light of his recent admissions.

Stone had previously indicated that Evans suggested a similar rationale to her. In her recollections, she described a meeting in which Evans, while wearing his sunglasses, insisted that her sleeping with Baldwin was essential to improve his performance, claiming that “if I slept with Billy Baldwin, Billy Baldwin’s performance would get better.” This suggestion, drawn from his own experiences in the industry, highlighted a deeply troubling aspect of Hollywood culture at the time.

The fallout from these revelations adds complexity to the narrative surrounding Baldwin and Stone. After Stone aired her grievances, Baldwin took to social media, questioning her motivations for repeatedly mentioning him in recent years. In his post on X, he wondered whether she still harboured feelings for him or if past rejections were still a point of hurt after all these years.

As Baldwin and Stone continue to navigate their professional legacies, these candid admissions remind audiences of the sometimes difficult realities behind the camera. The rekindling of their past tensions showcases how the interplay of personal relationships and professional expectations can shape the experiences of actors in the industry.

For now, with Baldwin’s latest remarks igniting further discussion, it remains to be seen how Stone will respond. A representative for the actress has yet to issue a statement regarding Baldwin’s remarks or the ongoing narrative surrounding their time together on *Sliver*. The entertainment world is watching closely as these stories of complexity, tension, and the shifting nature of personal interactions continue to unfold.