Gillian Anderson has finally addressed the long-standing curiosity surrounding her kiss with David Duchovny at the 1997 Emmy Awards. The moment has been a topic of discussion among fans of “The X-Files” for nearly three decades, and Anderson’s recent comments shed light on the playful yet complex dynamics of their relationship.
In a TikTok video, Anderson, now 55, humorously recounted the incident that took place during the 49th Primetime Emmy Awards. After winning the award for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Drama Series, she turned to kiss Duchovny, who played her on-screen partner Fox Mulder, before leaning over to kiss her then-boyfriend Rodney Rowland, who was seated beside her.
“OK, so I’ve been told that you guys want some information about when I won the [Emmy] back about a century ago and I kissed David first and why did I not kiss my boyfriend Rodney,” she began, setting the stage for her explanation.
Anderson jokingly remarked, “The fact is that David and I were actually living together and Rodney was my beard,” before quickly clarifying, “I’m joking, that’s just a joke. Is that really mean?”
The actress reflected on the close bond she shared with Duchovny during their time on the show, which aired from 1993 to 2002, and later returned for two additional seasons in 2016 and 2018. “I don’t know why I kissed him first,” she admitted. “I guess because he was on the show with me and we were practically married because we spent more time with each other than we did with our loved ones. We were there to celebrate the series and so yeah. Maybe? Maybe that’s what it was?”
Anderson also spoke fondly of Rowland, describing him as “a great guy” and expressing that she didn’t think the kiss bothered him. “He understood. It was complex,” she concluded, leaving fans with a sense of the intricate relationships that often develop in the world of television.
Duchovny, now 63, has previously shared his thoughts on the chemistry he felt with Anderson during their auditions for “The X-Files.” He recalled, “I think immediately, when we were reading together on the stairs to go in to audition, we knew that we could work together. There was an immediate connection through the work that we could do, and that lasted for a long, long time.”
Their friendship has remained strong over the years, much to the delight of fans. In 2021, the two reunited for lunch, and a selfie they shared on social media went viral. Duchovny remarked, “I was told there was a big reaction to it! I never get that stuff, but it’s really cool that people are interested after all these years.”
Reflecting on their enduring friendship, Duchovny explained, “When you share a seminal kind of experience in your life — this huge success with the show that we had — only we know what it’s like to be in the center of that. It’s almost like being in the same family. We know what it was like to be raised in that time. There’s a certain kind of shared experience, knowledge, and past that never goes away.”
The kiss at the Emmys has become a memorable moment in television history, particularly because of the romantic tension between their characters, Mulder and Scully. Fans have often speculated about the nature of Anderson and Duchovny’s relationship, hoping for a real-life romance to mirror the on-screen chemistry.
However, both actors have consistently maintained that their relationship is strictly platonic. Duchovny addressed the speculation in a 2015 interview, stating, “The whole thing about Gillian and I dating is so weird. It’s never happened, it’s not going to happen, we’re friends. I don’t want to rain on anybody’s parade, but no, it’s not gonna happen. It hasn’t happened.”
The kiss at the Emmys was not the only time the two shared a moment that sparked fan interest. At a concert in New York City, Duchovny kissed Anderson as a friendly greeting, which reignited speculation among fans. He explained, “I see Gillian, I kiss her hello. She’s my friend. If somebody gets a picture of that, if it’s on stage and she comes up to sing with me, I’m going to kiss her hello.”
Anderson’s recent comments have provided a lighthearted take on a moment that has puzzled fans for years. The playful banter and camaraderie between the two actors have only added to the allure of their on-screen partnership.
As Anderson concluded her TikTok video, she acknowledged the complexity of the situation, saying, “That’s all I got.” The kiss remains a cherished memory for fans, encapsulating the unique bond that developed between two actors who spent years working closely together.
In the end, the kiss at the Emmys serves as a reminder of the deep connections formed in the world of television, where on-screen relationships can often blur the lines of reality. Anderson and Duchovny’s friendship continues to thrive, and their shared experiences on “The X-Files” will forever hold a special place in the hearts of fans.
Source: PEOPLE, Today, Entertainment Weekly
