Summary (tl;dr)

Ben Marshall is trending after sharing a viral kiss with Harry Styles during Styles' opening monologue on Saturday Night Live on March 14, 2026, where Styles jokingly addressed "queerbaiting" allegations.

Essential Background

Saturday Night Live (SNL) is a renowned American late-night live television sketch comedy and variety show, known for its live broadcasts from New York City. Harry Styles is a globally famous singer, songwriter, and actor, formerly of the band One Direction, recognized for his flamboyant fashion choices and often subject to public discussions about his persona. Ben Marshall is an American comedian, writer, and actor who first joined SNL as a writer in 2021 as part of the comedy trio Please Don't Destroy, and was promoted to a full-time featured cast member for Season 51, which began in September 2025.

The Full Story

On March 14, 2026, Harry Styles returned to Saturday Night Live to take on both hosting and musical guest duties. During his opening monologue, Styles addressed the persistent "queerbaiting" allegations he has faced concerning his fashion and public image. In a comedic segment, after playfully interacting with fellow cast members Chloe Fineman and Sarah Sherman, Styles engaged with Ben Marshall, who joined him on stage. Styles complimented Marshall and then proceeded to kiss him on the lips, immediately quipping, "Now that's queerbaiting." This on-air moment quickly went viral, prompting extensive discussion across social media platforms and contributing to the trending status of "Ben Marshall" alongside "Harry Styles SNL." Other SNL cast members, including Jane Wickline, also appeared in promotional material and sketches with Styles during the episode.

Why It Matters

The trending of "Ben Marshall" underscores the significant impact of Saturday Night Live's live broadcasts and their capacity to generate viral pop culture moments, especially when involving high-profile celebrities such as Harry Styles. The on-screen kiss has fueled widespread online conversation, contributing to broader dialogues about celebrity identity, public perception, and the use of humor to address sensitive topics like "queerbaiting." For Ben Marshall, this high-profile interaction as a relatively new featured player on SNL offers a substantial increase in public visibility and further establishes his role on the iconic sketch comedy show.

Geographic Location

• Studio 8H, 30 Rockefeller Plaza, New York City, New York, United States (filming of Saturday Night Live episode)