Austin Nichols recently opened up about his experience filming the 2001 movie Holiday in the Sun, where he starred alongside Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen. During a conversation on the Drama Queens podcast, the actor reflected on how uncomfortable and strange it felt to kiss a young actress, given the age gap between them at the time.
Nichols, who was around 18 or 19 (or possibly 20) while Mary-Kate was only 15, admitted feeling anxious during the scene. He shared, “I was definitely nervous because Mary-Kate was 15, and I was, I think, 18 or 19 — maybe even 20. I don’t remember, but I was too old. It felt weird, and it felt wrong.”
Despite looking young himself at the time, Nichols said the age difference was something that weighed on him. “She’s 15. This is not… this is weird,” he recalled thinking while filming. The actor even mentioned that he spoke to the producer and Mary-Kate’s father to ensure that everyone was comfortable with the scene, as he was concerned about how it might be perceived.
Interestingly, the adults involved didn’t seem to share his level of concern. “Nobody seemed concerned, and I was very concerned, but it turned out fine. It was all very G-rated,” he added, reflecting on the situation.
Sophia Bush, his co-star from One Tree Hill, noted that Mary-Kate had been in the industry for a long time by then, which likely made her more accustomed to such on-screen moments. However, Nichols remained firm in his view, commenting, “They’re children.”
While the film itself remains a nostalgic favorite for many, Nichols’ candid recollection offers a deeper look at the complexities of being a young actor in the industry, especially when it involves such an age difference.
