We Should All Be Loving Our Friends As Affectionately As Scarlett Johansson and Jonathan Bailey Love Each Other

When Scarlett Johansson, 40, sat down on Today to talk about her new film, Jurassic World Rebirth, host Craig Melton asked the question that seems to have puzzled many people on the internet in the days prior: Why does the actress keep kissing her costar, Jonathan Bailey?

“There’s been a lot of talk about this kissing thing that you and Jonathan have been doing all over the world,” Melton began. Noting that Bailey, who is gay, “seems to transcend sexuality” and is just downright “attractive,” Melton pressed on, “Is that why [you] keep planting lips on him?”

It’s true that Johansson and Bailey have been noticeably affectionate on their Jurassic press tour over the last few weeks. They have shared not one, but two kisses one the lips — one at the London premiere of Jurassic World Rebirth, and the second at the New York premiere — they’ve been snapped meaningfully gazing into each other’s eyes and they never miss a chance to lock arms or hold hands when they can.

“[He’s] a lovable guy. What can I say? We’re friendly people,” Johansson told Melton. He then asked if she was “surprised” that so many people were talking about their affectionate behavior, and she simply replied, “Nothing surprises me these days.”

Well, unlike ScarJo, I was surprised. I was surprised that people were surprised. Why did a pair of pals who were so excited to see each other during the chaos of a press event that they hugged, kissed, and wanted to remain close to each other set the internet ablaze? Why did a moment of connection between two friends create such widespread confusion?

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As a single woman living in New York City — the metropolitan equivalent of a chaotic red carpet — I reject the notion that physical acts of affection should be reserved for romantic relationships alone.

I’m with Johansson and Bailey and I believe more platonic friends should kiss. I’m not saying go for in-depth make-out sessions (unless that’s your thing), but a simple peck on the lips to show your pal that you’ve missed them and you’re happy to see them isn’t such a big deal.

My friends are at the center of my life and have proven to be more important to me than, if I’m being honest, most of the people I’ve kissed romantically.

So why shouldn’t we show each other that small affection? If everyone involved consents, I think we should normalize the idea that physical touch can absolutely be a love language for platonic relationships just as much as it is talked about for romantic ones.

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This idea is proven beautifully by a group of queer friends I’ve been hanging out with recently. They sit on each other’s laps, they walk hand-in-hand, they lie on each other’s shoulders.

Recently, one of them texted me, “Carly, if you come out tonight, I will kiss you on the mouth.” It may be too much for some, but for me, it was a welcome balm in a world of nonchalant, “Yeah, you can come if you want,” messages.

Some commenters expressed confusion over the fact that Bailey is gay and that Johansson is married, but I challenge us all to expand our ideas of what is possible. Two friends, regardless of their sexual orientation and marital statuses, kissing shouldn’t cause this much uproar.

Bailey, of course, put it perfectly when he was asked about all the lip action: “I believe in being able to show love in all different ways,” he told Entertainment Tonight. “And if you can’t kiss your friends … life’s too short not to.”

And if your friends were the Scarlett Johansson or the Jonathan Bailey, wouldn’t you kiss them too?

Source People.com