Even in 2024, men showing affection still triggers misguided cries of “gay.”
During the vibrant chaos of this year’s Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, a candid moment between pop icon Justin Bieber and his long-time pal Jaden Smith caught the eyes of many. Captured in a heartwarming clip, the scene unfolds with Smith sneaking up on Bieber and initiating a playful dance from behind. This friendly jig quickly turned into a social media spectacle after Bieber planted a cheeky kiss on Smith’s cheek as they mingled with friends.
The moment was initially caught by @daydayred_ on Instagram.
Smith and Bieber go Viral
This simple gesture of friendship ignited a flurry of comments online. Some fans celebrated the affection, while others hurled homophobic critiques, absurdly questioning the masculinity of such an act. Comments ranged from baffled to downright harsh, with phrases like, “When did grinding on each other become the new greeting between men?” flooding social media feeds.
Few seem to recognize that the video simply shows two longtime friends greeting each other. The two first collaborated in 2010 on Bieber’s track and music video for “Never Say Never.”
However, some users came to the comment section to call out the haters. “Those with a problem… Should question themselves.”
“Are they Gay?”
Celebrities are under constant surveillance nowadays and face constant criticism, especially when it comes to their sexuality. Stars like Harry Styles, Taylor Swift, Nicholas Galitzine, and Cardi B. have all been accused of queerbaiting throughout their careers.
Jaden Smith, while a staunch ally to the LGBTQ+ community and an experimenter with gender-fluid fashion, has never identified himself within the queer spectrum. Bieber, married to Hailey Bieber since 2018, has also never labeled his sexuality.
Related | Is Jaden Smith Gay? Putting the Rumors To Rest
These choices, however, do not box them into any specific category, reflecting the fluid nature of modern celebrity personas.
Viral Moments and Vocal Homophobes
The viral nature of their Coachella interaction highlights a persistent issue: even in 2024, a simple act of male affection can still stir up homophobic comments. This incident serves as a reminder of the ongoing challenges that face even the most well-known figures when expressing friendship and support in unconventional ways.
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