Harry Styles returned to Saturday Night Live for the first time since 2019 on March 14
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During his opening monologue, the singer addressed "queerbaiting" claims and shared a kiss with SNL's Ben Marshall
As well as hosting the show, Styles performed two songs from his fourth studio album, released on March 6
Live from Studio 8H — it'sHarry Styles.
The singer, 32, hostedSaturday Night Liveon March 14, while also performing as musical guest, "Dance No More" and "Coming Up Roses," from his new studio album,Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally.
During his opening monologue, Styles addressed past "queerbaiting" claims before sharing a kiss withSNLstarBen Marshall. Queerbaiting refers to the "practice of trying to appeal to and capitalize on LGBTQ audiences or customers in a deceptive or superficial manner," according to theOxford English Dictionary.
The "Aperture" singer began his monologue by reflecting on hosting the comedy sketch series in 2019, saying, "Back then, people seemed to pay a lot of attention to the clothes I was wearing and some people accused me of something called 'queerbaiting.' But did it ever occur to you that … maybe you don't know everything about me, Dad?""I ran it past him. He was fine with it," joked Styles.
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Styles went on to speak about what he's been doing in the years since he last appeared on the show. He joked that he's "tremendously boring," as he said he's taken up "jogging" and "found a new home in a small, old Italian village," while also working on new music.
The singer said of his new album,Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, "Some people have asked me, 'Where I got that title from?' ...I did a prompt on Chat GPT that said, 'Give me the most Italian phrase that ever exists.' And it came back with…," Styles then shouted out the album title in a loud Italian accent as the audience laughed.
"And I loved it because what's better than kissing all the time?" Styles said asSNLstarChloe Finemanappeared behind him onstage, eagerly waiting for a kiss.
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"Which I don't actually do — I don't want to kiss all the time," Styles continued, as Fineman, 37, walked offstage looking disappointed.
"Sometimes, kissing can be great, if you're really good at it, and you're a good person," said Styles, asSNL'sSarah Shermanthen appeared onstage, before storming off.
"Or if you have a tight little bum," said Styles as Marshall, 30, showed up. "Hi Ben. What are you doing up here?" Styles asked him.
"Well, you said tight little bum … so where's my kiss?" Marshall responded.
"...Whatever, come here," Styles said before pulling Marshall in for a kiss.
Styles then turned to the camera and said, "Now that's queerbaiting," with a wink.
Later in the show, Styles performed two songs from his fourth studio album,Kiss All the Time. Disco, Occasionally, which was released on March 6.
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