Two Hollywood heartthrobs were paired for Variety's "Actors on Actors" series: Jonathan Bailey and David Corenswet. The pair quickly bonded over their shared love for each other's projects: Corenswet's portrayal in Superman, and Bailey's role as Fiyero in Wicked: For Good. They also bonded over the fact that they both had kissing scenes while levitating in the air, to which Corenswet complimented Bailey for being able to preserve his "masculinity" while being lifted up by a woman.
"You had the bigger challenge. You are carried by Cynthia. She’s levitating you,” he said in the video. "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." To this, Bailey said that it was his "greatest privilege." Corenswet continued, "You somehow, in that moment, when she’s lifting you by your arms…You somehow maintain your masculinity. It was amazing. Well done, mate. ‘Cause it’s a lot easier when you get to carry the girl."
Bailey was quiet for a brief moment as his seeming discomfort was written all over his face before responding, saying, "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."
This part of the interview was clipped and then uploaded to social media, which immediately drew backlash from fans who felt that Corenswet's comments were regressive. "The concept of spewing a 1950s perspective on masculinity at a gay man who was in an adaptation of a musical based on a book which was also written by a gay man," one person wrote in a quote tweet of the clip.
" Jonathan Bailey wanting to queen out about both of them having a levitating kiss and david corenswet ruining the moment by making a strange comment about masculinity," someone else wrote.
The actors also gained attention for the end of their interview when they were saying bye to one another and Corenswet asked, "Should we kiss?" And then Bailey jokingly responded, "Just make out."
