Harry Styles playfully addressed “queerbaiting” accusations by a kiss with SNL’s Ben Marshall
In Harry Styles' home and on Saturday Night Live, anything can be practicable. After all, by kissing SNL cast member Ben Marshall, the Grammy winner—who served as host and musical guest for the sketch comedy show's March 14 episode—addressed persistent rumors about his sexual orientation.
Reflecting on his solo career during which he produced “songs about fruit that people think are about sex,” in his introductory narration, Harry, 32, described how “people seemed to pay a lot of attention to the clothes I was wearing, and some people accused me of something called ‘queerbaiting.’”
However, the One Direction alum never intended to engage in queerbaiting, which is defined by the Oxford English Dictionary as the "practice of trying to appeal to and capitalize on LGBTQ audiences or customers in a deceptive or superficial manner."
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In jest, he continued, “But did it ever occur to you that maybe you don’t know everything about me, Dad?”
Based on the title of his most recent album, "Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally," which Harry said he came up with after searching for "the most Italian phrase to ever exist" on ChatGPT, the "Watermelon Sugar" hitmaker revealed that he doesn't really enjoy being caught up with just anybody.
“What’s better than kissing all the time?” prior to SNL standout Chloe Fineman enthusiastically emerged behind him onstage, Harry inquired, “Which I don’t actually do. I don’t want to kiss all the time.”
Chloe seemed unhappy as she left the stage, seeing it as a sign of the times.
“Sometimes, kissing can be great,” Harry went on as Sarah Sherman, a member of Chloe's cast, approached the stage. “If you’re really good at it, and you’re a good person.”
Sarah decided she didn't live up to his expectations either, so she left the stage to make room for a candidate who had what the singer of "Adore You" called "a tight little bum." As the audience cheered, Ben arrived on stage at precisely the right moment.
“Hi Ben. What are you doing up here?” Harry inquired before Ben responded, “Well, you said tight little bum…so where’s my kiss?”
Harry joked that there's "nothing little about that thing," but he later succumbed to Ben's seduction and said, "Whatever, come here," before grabbing him by the face and kissing him.
"Now that's queerbaiting," Harry winked as he turned to face the camera.
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