Billy Dee Williams Says He Never Dated Diana Ross — ‘But I Loved Kissing Her On-Screen’ (Exclusive)

When it comes to his movie lover Diana Ross, Billy Dee Williams isn’t afraid to kiss and tell.

Ahead of the February 13 release of his upcoming memoir, What do we have here?: Portraits of a lifeWilliams, 86, reflected on his (strictly on-screen!) relationship with the music icon for this week’s issue of PEOPLE.

In his debut on the big screen, in 1972 Lady Sings the Blues79-year-old Ross played the legendary singer Billie Holiday, while Williams played her third husband Louis McKay. And, according to Williams, their love scenes were made uncomfortable by Ross’ real-life relationship with one of his producers, Berry Gordy.

When asked how he and Gordy handled the situation, Williams tells PEOPLE, “Well, Berry is… I love Berry.”

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Billy Dee Williams and Diana Ross in ‘Lady Sings The Blues’.

Paramount Pictures/Getty

The founder of Motown Records — who signed Ross’ legendary girl group, The Supremes — would often intervene to prevent stars from kissing during rehearsals, Williams recalls in his book.

“He’s very moody,” Williams tells PEOPLE of Gordy. “He might argue against something, but he does it in such a way that you find yourself laughing at it because he’s laughing at it.”

to show Star Wars the actor recalled the moment on set when he got involved while Gordy and the cameraman were talking about a scene. The producer turned to him, leaned in and said, “This is my film. Do not worry. It’s nice that you have an opinion. It is OK. I got this.”

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Billy Dee Williams and Diana Ross in ‘Mahogany’.

Courtesy of the Everett Collection

“Even when he cast me for Louis McKay, I mean, he saw the chemistry between me and Diane when I was doing the rehearsal,” Williams recalls. “And he got so excited.”

“He is like a little child,” he adds.

Recalling Gordy’s reaction to his and Ross’s screen test—which immediately landed him the 1972 role—Williams says, “He was very clear about what was going on between me and Diana.”

“And he’s really good at that kind of thing, judging by all the people he’s discovered,” the actor adds.

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And while his and Ross’s chemistry — which they reprized in 1975 Mahogany — was electric, Williams says he and the “I’m Coming Out” singer’s relationship never translated into real life.

“We never had anything,” he tells PEOPLE. “We’ve never had them, although I love kissing on screen. It was really nice.”

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Source: HIS Education