Harry Styles returned to the stage at Saturday Night Live on March 14, pulling double duty as host and musical guest. The Grammy-winning artist used his opening monologue to directly address long-standing accusations of “queerbaiting,” delivering a comedic response that culminated in a kiss with cast member Ben Marshall.
Styles, who previously hosted SNL in 2019, reflected on his time since the conclusion of his “Love On Tour” in 2023, joking about finding himself “tremendously boring” in his downtime. He playfully suggested that people only feigned interest in his newfound hobbies due to his celebrity status. The monologue then pivoted to the criticism surrounding his fashion choices and perceived ambiguity regarding his sexuality.
After a series of playful exchanges with SNL cast members Chloe Fineman and Sarah Sherman, who both expressed interest in kissing him, Styles was joined onstage by featured player Ben Marshall. He then leaned in and shared a brief kiss with Marshall, delivering the punchline: “Now that’s queerbaiting!”
The moment quickly went viral, sparking conversation across social media platforms. The term “queerbaiting” refers to the practice of hinting at LGBTQ+ representation without actually following through, often used to attract and engage queer audiences without genuine commitment to inclusivity. Styles has faced these accusations for years, particularly following a 2020 Vogue cover where he wore a lace ballgown.
Beyond addressing the controversy, Styles’ SNL appearance included surprise cameos from Ryan Gosling and Paul Simon. Gosling introduced Styles’ first musical performance, reciprocating a playful interruption Styles made during Gosling’s own monologue the previous week. Simon, a significant musical influence on Styles, introduced his second performance of the night.
Styles performed two songs from his recently released fourth studio album, Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, which dropped on March 6. He opened with “Dance No More” and closed with “Coming Up Roses,” performing the latter at the piano – a nod to Simon’s influence, as Styles has previously cited Simon’s Graceland as inspiration for One Direction’s “Walking in the Wind.”
The 12-track album was produced by Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson. Styles is currently supporting the album with the “Together, Together Tour,” a 50-display residency across seven cities including Amsterdam, London, Novel York, Melbourne, and Sydney.
This marked Styles’ eighth overall appearance on Saturday Night Live and his second time serving as both host and musical guest. He has earned three Grammy Awards, including Best Pop Solo Performance for “Watermelon Sugar” in 2021 and both Best Pop Vocal Album and Album of the Year for Harry’s House in 2023.
As Styles continues his tour and promotes his latest album, the conversation surrounding his artistic choices and public persona is likely to persist. The SNL monologue offered a lighthearted, yet direct, response to the queerbaiting allegations, leaving audiences to interpret his intentions and the future direction of his artistry.
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