Singer Harry Styles addressed long-running accusations of queerbaiting during his hosting appearance on Saturday Night Live, turning the debate into a punchline before sharing an on-stage kiss with cast member Ben Marshall.
Styles acknowledged the discourse surrounding his public image and fashion choices, joking, 'Did it ever occur to you that maybe you don’t know everything about me, Dad?' He later joked about his new album titled 'Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.'
Cast members Chloe Fineman and Sarah Sherman briefly appeared during the bit and expressed mock disappointment. When Ben Marshall then walked onto the stage, Styles leaned in and kissed him on the lips.
According to USA Today, the label 'queerbaiting' has sometimes been applied to public figures who embrace gender-fluid fashion or queer-coded imagery while not explicitly identifying as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
Styles has previously faced such accusations due in part to his bold fashion choices, including a widely discussed 2020 cover for Vogue in which he wore a lace ballgown.
