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NCIS: Origins Star's Pre-Kiss Ritual Revealed!
8 Jun
Summary
- Molino and Stowell shared a nervous moment before filming a key kiss scene.
- The actors relieved tension with a cigarette and Diet Coke break.
- Molino hopes for more action scenes, including knife fights, in future roles.
Mariel Molino, speaking on the 2026 Tony Awards red carpet, disclosed the unique method she and her NCIS: Origins co-star Austin Stowell used to ease nerves before filming a significant kiss. Molino, 33, described the atmosphere as akin to "the first day of camp," with everyone, including herself, Stowell, and the crew, feeling a palpable tension before the long-awaited embrace between their characters, Lala and Gibbs.
To break the ice, Molino humorously shared that she and Stowell, 41, stepped away for "a cigarette and a fridge cigarette" along with a Diet Coke. This shared moment helped them collectively cut the tension before filming the scene. Molino also looked ahead to her acting aspirations, expressing a desire for more challenging action sequences, particularly a knife fight, after having recently completed her first complex action scene.
Regarding her character, Lala, Molino hopes for a "fun romantic dynamic" with Gibbs in the upcoming season, potentially exploring a secret relationship. She anticipates the writers will continue to introduce unexpected plot twists, keeping viewers engaged with the characters' developing romance.
