Nicole Murphy Explains Why She Kissed Married Director Antoine Fuqua

Rumors are swirling about Nicole Murphy, 51, and “Training Day” director Antoine Fuqua, 53.

On Monday, Nicole and Antoine were spotted kissing while enjoying cups of coffee or tea at the Regina Isabella hotel in Ischia, Italy.

They were seen smooching more than once as they showed off their beach bodies near the hotel pool.

They are in town for the Ischia Global Festival, where he will be honored with the Director of the Year Award.

Nicole has addressed the PDA photos, telling B. Scott, “Antoine and I are just family friends. I ran into him in Italy and we exchanged a friendly hello and that was it.”

A source told People magazine, “It’s known that they’ve been close friends for a long time and travel in the same circles.”

A few months ago, they posed at the Los Angeles premiere of “What’s My Name: Muhammad Ali” premiere. He is credited as an executive producer on the documentary.

Fuqua has been married to actress Lela Rochon, 55, for 20 years. They have two kids, Asia, 16, and Brandon, 15.

A source recently told People magazine, “[Antoine and Lela] were both together a few weeks ago at their son’s basketball game and looked like a happily married couple.”

“She was wearing her ring and they seemed perfectly happy,” the insider added.

As rumors swirl, Rochon has deleted her Twitter and Instagram.