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Harry Styles Addresses Queerbaiting on SNL With On-Air Kiss of Ben Marshall

The gesture served as a wry rebuttal tied to his March 6 album rollout, not a declaration of sexual identity.

Overview

  • During his opening monologue, Styles referenced years of accusations that he engages in so‑called queerbaiting.
  • He playfully rebuffed Chloe Fineman and Sarah Sherman before kissing comedian Ben Marshall on the mouth.
  • Immediately after the kiss, he looked into the camera and said, "That's called queerbaiting," framing the moment as a joke.
  • Coverage describes the bit as a deliberate, performative response that also advances promotion for his new album.
  • He performed new tracks from 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally,' released on March 6, and he continues not to label his sexuality.