In the always-buzzing world of celebrity headlines, it doesn’t take much to set the internet on fire. One kiss—just one friendly smooch on the lips between actress Scarlett Johansson and her co-star Jonathan Bailey—has ignited widespread chatter, and now, her husband, comedian Colin Jost, is stepping in to add some much-needed levity and perspective.
In a recent interview with Entertainment Tonight, Jost, the longtime “Saturday Night Live” star and co-anchor of the show’s iconic “Weekend Update” segment, finally addressed the public’s fixation on the kiss that happened not once, but twice, during the promotional events for Johansson and Bailey’s new film, Jurassic World Rebirth. And as expected, Jost did not disappoint with his trademark humor, calm demeanor, and mature handling of the situation.
The first moment that sparked a flurry of attention occurred on the red carpet at the Jurassic World Rebirth premiere in London on June 17. Scarlett Johansson, now 40, greeted her 37-year-old co-star Jonathan Bailey with a kiss on the lips—a move that might have seemed innocuous to some, but quickly became the subject of social media speculation and tabloid headlines. Just a few days later, at the movie’s New York premiere, the two actors shared another friendly kiss, this time further fueling the gossip mill.
To some, it was simply a spontaneous moment between co-stars who had clearly developed a strong bond while working on set. To others, it seemed to signal something more controversial—especially given Johansson’s high-profile marriage to Jost.
But if anyone expected the SNL star to respond with jealousy or indignation, they were sorely mistaken.
“People really blow it out of proportion that someone kisses their friend hello,” Jost, 43, told Entertainment Tonight. “It’s pretty nuts.”
With those few words, Jost managed to cut through the noise and remind everyone that not every interaction between a man and a woman needs to be sensationalized. His tone, a mix of disbelief and amusement, emphasized just how overblown the entire situation had become.
Jost also joked, with his signature dry wit, that out of all the potential “threats” to his marriage, Jonathan Bailey was the last person he expected to be at the center of attention. “Of all the threats out there,” he laughed, “I wasn’t thinking it was Jonathan.” He even sarcastically added, “It’s going to be OK,” while pointing out that Bailey is “an out gay man”—a fact that many tabloids conveniently glossed over while spinning their salacious narratives.
His light-hearted response stood in stark contrast to the feverish speculation from some corners of the internet. While many were busy dissecting lip angles and body language, Jost and Bailey were apparently joking amongst themselves about the whole ordeal.
“We were like, ‘I guess we have to kiss now? Is that what happens? Close the loop?’” Jost shared, again proving that he’s not just unfazed—he’s got a sense of humor about the whole thing.
For her part, Scarlett Johansson didn’t seem too troubled by the buzz, either. When asked about the kisses during an appearance on the Today show, the Black Widow actress shrugged off the attention with a smile.
“Jonathan is a lovable guy,” Johansson said. “We’re friendly people. I’ve got a lot of love to give. What can I say?”
That simple, heartfelt response echoed what many in Hollywood already know: not every kiss is romantic. In fact, Johansson’s warmth and openness seem to be exactly what endeared her to Bailey during the filming of their dinosaur-packed adventure.
Their bond may be strong, but it’s also platonic. Bailey, best known for his role in Bridgerton, is openly gay and has often spoken about the importance of authentic representation in Hollywood. His own take on the kissgate saga was refreshingly wholesome.
“Life’s too short not to be able to show your friends true love,” Bailey told Access Hollywood. “Embrace kissing the friends, I say!”
In a world where performative gestures often dominate red carpets and promotional tours, perhaps it was just a rare and genuine moment of affection between two actors who actually like each other as people.
Still, Jost knows all too well that the kiss may follow him back to work in the fall—specifically, into the ever-witty, ever-merciless world of Saturday Night Live.
“SNL is on summer break,” Jost explained, “but I sense that perhaps with Michael Che, it might come back. I don’t need to get back into it, but he finds a way. Life finds a way.”
The “life finds a way” remark—a cheeky callback to the Jurassic Park franchise’s most iconic quote—wasn’t just a clever pun. It was Jost once again demonstrating that he knows exactly how these things play out in the media and comedy circuit.
Michael Che, Jost’s co-host on “Weekend Update” and real-life close friend, is known for his mischievous humor and for poking fun at Jost during live segments. And if there’s anyone who wouldn’t hesitate to make light of the situation with a hilarious jab or two, it’s Che.
But Jost seems ready for it, almost amused by the inevitability. After all, it’s the job of “Weekend Update” to satirize current events—and when your wife kisses her co-star on camera and it becomes a trending topic, you’re fair game.
Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson tied the knot in 2020 during the height of the pandemic in an intimate ceremony. Their love story began a few years earlier when Johansson appeared on Saturday Night Live, and sparks flew behind the scenes.
Despite being one of Hollywood’s most famous women, Johansson has always kept her personal life as private as possible. Marrying someone like Jost—a grounded, witty, and calm presence—seemed to offer a kind of balance.
In 2021, the couple welcomed their first child together, a son named Cosmo. The name, like much of their personal life, became the subject of memes and media curiosity, but they both handled it with the same grace and humor they’ve now shown with the “kiss” situation.
Their relationship appears to be built on mutual respect, laughter, and the ability to weather public scrutiny without letting it interfere with their bond.
This entire situation raises a broader question about how society views affection, especially between friends, in the public eye. In Hollywood, where relationships are constantly under a microscope, moments like these often become exaggerated.
But perhaps it’s time to normalize platonic intimacy—especially when both parties involved have made it clear that it’s just that: platonic. The assumption that a kiss always signifies something more is outdated, and in many ways, it reflects a cultural discomfort with ambiguity.
Johansson and Bailey’s kisses were spontaneous gestures of affection—moments of celebration during a press tour. If anything, they’re indicative of the chemistry and joy that emerged from filming a project they clearly care about.
And Jost’s response is a masterclass in how to react when the internet turns a molehill into a mountain. His humor, honesty, and unwillingness to play into the drama are admirable—proof that not everything needs to be taken so seriously.
As the press tour for Jurassic World Rebirth continues and the chatter surrounding the kisses begins to fade, one thing becomes abundantly clear: Colin Jost and Scarlett Johansson have something real—and not even a friendly smooch between co-stars can rattle that.
Whether Jost ends up being roasted by Michael Che on SNL this fall or not, it’s safe to say he’ll take it all in stride—probably with another sarcastic grin and a perfectly timed punchline.
And if anything, his response has only solidified what many already knew: Colin Jost is not just a funny man—he’s also a class act.