Harry Styles: SNL Kiss Controversy With Ben Marshall and 'Queerbaiting' Response

Liputan6.com, Jakarta - Global singer Harry Styles returned to the public spotlight after his stunning performance on “Saturday Night Live” (SNL) on March 14, 2026.

In the episode, Styles served not only as host but also as musical guest, a dual role he had previously performed.

The performance generated a lot of buzz, particularly due to an unexpected incident that occurred during his opening monologue.

The most attention-grabbing moment was when Harry Styles kissed SNL cast member Ben Marshall on stage.

This action immediately sparked a wave of discussion and speculation about his sexual orientation, and reignited accusations of “queerbaiting” that have long plagued his career.

The incident occurred just a week after the release of his highly anticipated fourth studio album, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally,” on March 6, 2026, intensifying public attention on the star.

Reactions to the kiss varied, from shock to laughter, but the moment went viral and dominated social media conversations.

Styles himself seemed to deliberately use this opportunity to directly confront the narrative surrounding his sexuality and public image, making a bold statement on national television.

Harry Styles returned to the “Saturday Night Live” stage on March 14, 2026, serving as both host and musical guest.

This was Styles’ second time performing this role on SNL, following a similar appearance in November 2019.

Styles’ return to SNL coincided with the release of his fourth studio album, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.” The album officially launched on March 6, 2026, just a week before his appearance on the sketch comedy show.

The album, produced by his longtime collaborators Kid Harpoon and Tyler Johnson, was recorded in 2024 and 2025 in various locations such as the UK, Germany, and the United States.

With two lead singles, “Aperture” and “American Girls,” the album features 12 diverse and engaging tracks.

During his opening monologue, Harry Styles created a shocking moment by kissing SNL cast member Ben Marshall.

The kiss came after Styles joked about the title of his new album, “Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.”, and interacted with several SNL cast members.

After Marshall appeared on stage and a brief conversation ensued, Styles kissed him and then bluntly declared, “Now that’s queerbaiting!”

The kiss was described as a “surprise” and “a moment that took the audience by surprise,” prompting laughter and unexpected reactions from the audience.

The incident quickly went viral, amplifying the already-existing debate surrounding Harry Styles’ image and sexual orientation.

In his monologue, Harry Styles directly addressed the long-standing accusations of “queerbaiting” against him.

He stated, “People used to pay a lot of attention to what I wore, and some people accused me of something called ‘queerbaiting,’” and added, “But has it ever occurred to you that maybe you don’t know everything about me, Dad?”

Accusations of “queerbaiting” have followed Styles for several years, primarily due to his gender-fluid fashion style, his use of accessories like pearl necklaces and painted nails, and his reluctance to publicly define his sexuality.

Some critics argue that his style and demeanor create ambiguity that some audiences interpret as intentionally suggestive.

The kiss on SNL was seen by some as Styles’ way of directly addressing the debate surrounding his image and sexuality.