The Co-Star Julia Roberts Once Called “Disgusting”

Hollywood has seen its fair share of on set squabbles. Every now and then, one small comment becomes the headline that follows a movie for years. Julia Roberts once dropped a blunt word that still sparks curiosity today.

The story goes back to a romantic comedy that paired two big names in the mid nineties. The production looked charming on paper. Behind the scenes it was another matter. Rumors swirled about clashing styles and simmering tempers that outlasted the film’s press tour.

The actor in question was Nick Nolte. During the movie’s rollout, Roberts was asked about their working relationship and she did not sugarcoat it. She labeled her co star “disgusting.” That single word became the tagline for a feud that has never fully faded from pop culture memory.

Years later, Nolte admitted it was mostly his fault, but also a bit of Julia Roberts’. The exchange painted a picture of two stars who could not get in sync, even as their characters were supposed to fall for each other on-screen. Industry chatter said the atmosphere on set was strained, and that stand-ins were sometimes used to keep the peace.

Their film, ‘I Love Trouble,’ arrived with high expectations. Audiences got a breezy newsroom romance. Critics focused on the lack of spark and the off screen drama that had already taken over the narrative. When fans think of that title today, the first thing many remember is the war of words rather than the plot.

Looking back, it is easy to see why the moment stuck. Roberts was in the middle of a run that made her one of the most bankable stars in the world. Nolte was known for rugged intensity and a streak of offbeat choices. Put them together and sparks were inevitable. Just not the kind the studio wanted. One sharp adjective and one sharp rebuttal turned a workplace mismatch into a lasting Hollywood legend.

There is also a cautionary note in the way the story has been retold over time. A single quote can overshadow months of work by hundreds of people. The supporting players, the writers, and the crew put in the hours. Still, the conversation keeps circling back to that one word. It shows how a candid comment can outlive a movie’s run and become a cultural bookmark.

Neither star has spent much time revisiting the dust up in detail. Both kept moving, taking on roles that fit their strengths and their evolving careers. The film sits in the catalog as a reminder that chemistry is unpredictable. Sometimes it lights up the screen. Sometimes it sparks headlines. In this case, one cutting description and one quick response were enough to leave a mark that still gets people talking.