NEW YORK – "Saturday Night Live" star Colin Jost has broken his silence on the viral red carpet moments that have captivated social media, involving his wife, Scarlett Johansson, and her "Jurassic World Rebirth" co-star, Jonathan Bailey. In a move characteristic of his comedic persona, Jost addressed the chatter during the most recent "Weekend Update" segment, effectively steering the narrative with a well-timed joke.

The online discussion ignited last month during the international promotional tour for the highly anticipated blockbuster. Johansson and Bailey were photographed sharing friendly kisses on the lips at multiple premiere events, from London to Tokyo. The images quickly spread across platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram, with fans and commentators dissecting the nature of their palpable chemistry.

Speculation ranged from theories of a savvy marketing campaign designed to generate buzz for the film to simple admiration for a close friendship between co-stars. Regardless of the intent, the moments successfully kept "Jurassic World Rebirth" at the forefront of entertainment news cycles.

Jost's "Weekend Update" Quip

Addressing the topic head-on during the Saturday, July 12th broadcast of SNL, Jost delivered a punchline that both acknowledged the public's focus and gently defused any serious relationship gossip.

"This week, the internet was abuzz after my wife, Scarlett Johansson, was seen kissing her co-star Jonathan Bailey on the red carpet," Jost began, looking directly into the camera. He paused before adding, "And I'd just like to say, I totally get it. Honestly, if I had to spend two months running from a genetically engineered Giganotosaurus, I'd probably want to kiss Jonathan Bailey, too."

The joke was met with laughter and applause from the studio audience. Sources close to the production, cited by HuffPost, confirm that Jost was well aware of the online conversation and opted to address it in a public, light-hearted forum he controlled.

The Power of Promotional Chemistry

The phenomenon of leveraging on-screen chemistry for off-screen promotion is a long-standing tradition in Hollywood. Public displays of affection, whether genuine or staged, can significantly boost a film's profile by creating a compelling narrative that extends beyond the movie itself. In the case of "Jurassic World Rebirth," a tentpole film with a massive budget, maintaining public interest is paramount to its box office success.

Media analysts note that the interaction between Johansson and Bailey, best known for his role in "Bridgerton," created an organic storyline that appealed to both of their fanbases. Bailey's charm combined with Johansson's star power made for an effective, if unconventional, promotional tool.

Jost's response is now being viewed as the final, clever piece of this public relations puzzle. By turning the situation into a self-deprecating gag, he not only demonstrated confidence in his own relationship but also added another humorous, shareable moment to the film's promotional campaign. His comment has since been widely reported, extending the news cycle and ensuring that "Jurassic World Rebirth" remains a topic of conversation ahead of its release. The film, directed by Gareth Edwards, is set to be one of the summer's biggest cinematic events.