Harry Styles shares gay kiss with SNL star in wild opening monologue as he addresses ‘queerbaiting’ claims

Fans were left hysterical when Harry Styles had a gay kiss with Saturday Night Live star Ben Marshall during his final opening monologue on the sketch show.

He was taking a swipe at politically correct fans who berated him for ‘queerbaiting’ with past moves such as wearing gender-bending clothing, playing a gay man in the movie I’m a Cop, and being publicly ambiguous about his own sexuality.

‘Queerbaiting’ refers to a public relations ploy that alludes to same-sex relationships without directly endorsing them, in an attempt to strike a balance between appealing to a gay audience and not turning away homophobic viewers.

The 32-year-old pop star confronted the allegations head-on when she appeared on the show this weekend, reflecting on her previous hosting gig in 2019.

‘At the time people seemed to pay a lot of attention to the clothes I wore, and some people accused me of something called ‘queerbaiting’,’ he said, before adding a funny, melodramatic howl: ‘But has it ever occurred to you that you don’t know everything about me, Dad?’

At the end of the monologue, he grabbed Marshall and crashed his lips with hers, then turned to the camera and said with a wink: ‘That’s gay harassment.’

The kiss came at the end of a flirty chapter on the One Direction alum’s new solo album, Kiss All the Time. Sometimes disco.

He said he ‘loved’ the title because ‘what could be better than kissing all the time?’ – encourages Saturday Night Live star Chloe Fineman to take the stage with hope.

‘I’m not actually doing this. “I don’t want to kiss all the time,” Styles said, apparently ignoring Fineman, who slunk away in frustration.

His co-star Sarah Sherman then took the stage and Styles said “sometimes kissing can be great,” but Styles left embarrassed and explained: “You know, if you’re really good at it and you’re a good person.”

Styles added: ‘Or if you have a small hip.’ At this point Ben Marshall walked onto the stage and was greeted by Styles, who asked: ‘What are you doing here?’

‘Well, you said ‘tight little bum’, so where’s my kiss?’ When he asked Marshall, Styles replied: ‘Come on Ben, everyone knows this thing is no small thing. You’re carrying a fucking wagon there.’

‘Facts,’ Marshall said, and Styles smiled and said, ‘Whatever, come over here,’ pulling Marshall closer and planting a kiss on his lips that drove the audience crazy.

Viewers at home were equally pleased, taking to X, formerly known as Twitter, to receive reactions like “Y’all.” I’M SCREAMING’ and a crying emoji.

At the end of the monologue, he grabbed Marshall and locked lips with him, then turned to the camera and said with a wink: ‘That’s gay harassment.’

The 32-year-old pop artist confronted the allegations head-on when she appeared on the show this weekend, mirroring her previous hosting appearance in 2019.

‘Queerbaiting’ outrage has been based on occasional gender-bending outfits, such as at the ‘Harryween’ event at Madison Square Concert on October 30, 2021.

In early 2021, she attended the Grammys red carpet in this striking outfit with a purple feather boa and deep v-neck.

Viewers at home were delighted by the viral moment, racing to X, formerly known as Twitter, to react: ‘Y’all. I’M SCREAMING’ and a crying emoji

‘HE DROPPED THE QUEERBAITING CHICKS VERY QUICKLY,’ one gushed, while another joked: ‘One of the things Ben Marshall will do is get her a handsome man to kiss.’

‘I can’t believe you’re talking about queerbaiting,’ marveled one fan, while another squealed: ‘HOW MANY PEOPLE CAN SAY THAT BEN KISSED HARRY?’

Overheated observers screamed: ‘Did HARRY STYLES AND BEN MARSHALL JUST KISSED?’ and: ‘Oh My God Oh My God That Kiss IT MUST BE ME.’

Styles was pulling double duty that evening; she acted as both host and musical guest, performing Dance No More from her new album.