It’s an iconic cinematic moment – plucky Cecile is given a sultry lesson in lip-locking from her devious prep school classmate Kathryn – and now more than 20 years later, actresses Selma Blair and Sarah Michelle Gellar have reunited for the 2020 MTV Movie & TV Awards to recreate the infamous Cruel Intentions scene.
The pair starred in a video message to accept the award for ‘Legendary Lip Lock’ as part of the ceremony’s Greatest Of All Time theme. Reflecting on the significance of the on-screen moment, Blair said, “I think the reason the kiss has resonated with people so long is not just for the initial shock value, but because it was a catalyst for so many young people to help them realize certain aspects of their sexuality and help make people comfortable to be who they really are.”
Gellar added, “It also represented a paradigm shift to a new dynamic towards acceptance in pop culture – well, also it was super hot.”
Will @SarahMGellar and @SelmaBlair recreate their iconic 'Cruel Intentions' kiss tonight? 👀
See for yourself during the #MTVAwards: Greatest of All Time, TONIGHT at 8p on MTV! 💋 pic.twitter.com/Nf8J2tX3Dv
— MTV (@MTV) December 6, 2020
After thanking MTV for the award, the pair then proceed to ‘recreate’ the kiss, before being stopped by a pane of glass between them – because 2020.
The only way to safely kiss your crush in 2020 💔 #MTVAwards pic.twitter.com/0Wev6h87e5
— Movie & TV Awards (@MTVAwards) December 7, 2020
Blair and Gellar have remained firm friends since they starred in the 1999 flick, with Gellar supporting Blair through her multiple sclerosis diagnosis over two years ago. Since then Blair has become an advocate for MS, using her platform to speak out about her challenges.
Blair also chose to wear a piece of her own sartorial history to commemorate the moment – a one-shoulder black Marc Jacobs mini dress, as she shared on her Instagram Stories.
Vanessa Hudgens and Lily Collins were among the other red carpet attendees at the socially-distanced ceremony, with the latter opting for a decidedly un-Emily In Paris latex Saint Laurent number.
In summation – an eventful year for the MTV Movie & TV Awards, indeed.
