David Corenswet and Jonathan Bailey sat down for Variety‘s Actors on Actors series, and there’s one part of their conversation getting attention.
While the two garnered praise for their silly back and forth about Jonathan‘s Sexiest Man Alive title, the Internet was less pleased with David’s comments about Jonathan‘s Wicked: For Good kissing scene performance.
During the conversation, David said to Jonathan he was amazed at how “masculine” Jonathan appeared during the scene where Elphaba levitates herself and Fiyero for a kiss.
Keep reading to find out more…
“You had the bigger challenge. You are carried by Cynthia. She’s levitating you,” he explained.
“Every man out there would think, There’s no way you can look masculine and powerful and in control when you’re being levitated by a woman,” he continued, to which Jonathan responded, “My greatest privilege.”
“You somehow, in that moment, when she’s lifting you by your arms…You somehow maintain your masculinity,” David said, calling it “amazing.”
“Well done, mate. ‘Cause it’s a lot easier when you get to carry the girl,” he went on to explain.
Jonathan paused and then said, “Oh my God, yeah. It was a total honor. And also, I mean, listen. I’d be carried by both Cynthia and Ari for the rest of my life if I could be. What a treat to be able to come and do my bit, but also to share a moment like that.”
Social media quickly erupted with debate about whether David‘s comments were appropriate.
“Yeah I get what he was trying to say but the way he said it-,” said one user.
“why does everything have to be turned into a masculine vs feminine, man vs woman, it’s MOVIE with magic holy sht relax and just enjoy the movie without beating everything down to politics and wokeness and man vs woman , ‘how could you retain your masculine’ …… just stop,” one commented.
“jonny trying to redirect david from the weird masculinity comment by saying it was his greatest privilege and he would gladly be carried by both cynthia and ari and then david doubling down is painful to watch ngl 😭😭,” another noted.
“aybe he didn’t mean anything negative or misogynistic. He probably just chose the wrong choice or words 🤷🏻♀️ I’m just saying,” a user said.
“the fragile masculinity here is in HELL lord have mercy,” another added. Watch above at the 6:45 mark.
See what other moment from the interview is gaining attention.