Jonathan Bailey Shuts Down Buzz After Playful Smooch with Scarlett Johansson: 'If You Can't Kiss Your Friends, What's the Point?'

Jonathan Bailey and Scarlett Johansson sparked buzz online after sharing a quick kiss on the lips during the New York premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth on Monday, 23 June. The affectionate moment was captured on the red carpet, where the co-stars were joined by fellow cast members Mahershala Ali and Rupert Friend.

Bailey Addresses Viral Kiss

Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, Bailey addressed the brief kiss that lit up social media:
'I believe in being able to show love in all different ways. And if you can't kiss your friends... life's too short not to,' he said.

In a separate interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Bailey reflected on his experience co-leading a major blockbuster as an openly gay actor.
'There are moments where, yes, you have to be excellent to prove that you can do it. It's not like I haven't felt that. There's the weight of history,' he said.

He added: 'There are endless brilliant people who have come before who have changed the way sexuality is perceived. Any prejudice against sexuality is something to fight against. And what better way to do that than to play any kind of character?'

Bailey also noted the industry shift: 'Historically, you wouldn't be cast to play straight as an openly gay actor. There weren't even gay roles to play. That has obviously changed massively.'

Prior Instance

This isn't the first time the pair turned heads with a red carpet kiss. Bailey and Johansson also shared a peck at the London world premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth on Tuesday, 18 June. The gesture once again drew social media reactions, particularly because Bailey is openly gay and Johansson has been married to Saturday Night Live comedian Colin Jost since 2020.

Johansson and Jost made a joint appearance at the New York premiere wearing coordinated white ensembles. Jost opted for a relaxed white linen suit paired with a white shirt and sneakers. Johansson stunned in a white floral-accented gown featuring a corseted bodice, soft draping around the hips and legs, and a subtle mermaid silhouette.

About Jurassic World Rebirth

As per the official movie's description, the film takes place five years after the events of Jurassic World Dominion (2022). It follows Zora (portrayed by Johansson) as a covert operations expert while she leads her team on a top-secret mission. Her main goal is to secure genetic material of the world's three largest dinosaurs.

En route to the 'isolated equatorial environment', or dinosaur habitat, Zora's mission 'intersects with a civilian family whose boating expedition was capsized by marauding aquatic dinos, where they all find themselves stranded on an island where they come face-to-face with a sinister, shocking discovery that's been hidden from the world for decades.'