Tuesday 6 September 2022 11:11 PM Don't Worry Darling: Karl Stefanovic's theory on Harry Styles, Chris Pine ... trends now
Today host Karl Stefanovic has weighed in on the 'spit heard round the world'.
The Channel Nine presenter said he does not believe Harry Styles meant any harm when he allegedly spat at his co-star Chris Pine at the premiere of their movie Don't Worry Darling at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday.
Sources close to Styles have denied he spat on Pine, after footage of the moment went viral on Twitter this week. Meanwhile, a representative for Pine has gone on the record to refute the 'ridiculous story', dismissing the video as an 'online illusion'.
Today host Karl Stefanovic (left, with Allison Langdon) has weighed in on the 'spit heard round the world'
Speaking on the Today show on Wednesday, Stefanovic offered his take on the clip, which has been viewed millions of times and is being touted by fans as evidence the critically panned film was plagued by behind-the-scenes tensions.
He shared his thoughts after Brooke Boney's entertainment news bulletin at 6am, dismissing the alleged spit as a 'boy joke' between the actors - who both insist they have a good professional relationship.
'I reckon it looks like a boy joke,' he said. Meanwhile, his co-host Allison Langdon didn't look quite so convinced as she studied the footage.
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Boney also didn't seem to agree with Stefanovic, noting the expression on Pine's face. 'Do you reckon?' she said. 'But he looks genuinely annoyed, that's the thing.'
The Today hosts' speculation comes after Pine, 42, vehemently denied Styles, 28, spat on him at the Venice Film Festival, despite rampant Twitter speculation.
A video shared online showed the former One Directioner bend over Pine before sitting down, a motion which some speculated was Styles spitting on the Star Trek actor.
Immediately after, Pine - who was clapping as Styles took his assigned seat next to him - seemed to stop in his tracks, look down at his leg and stick out his tongue in disbelief.
The laughing actor then shot an amused look back at the pop star, who was too busy adjusting his jacket and smiling around the room to notice Pine's reaction.
Fans said it appeared as though Styles spat on Pine in the short clip, amid ongoing controversies surrounding their film Don't Worry Darling.
A video shared online showed the former One Directioner bend over Pine before sitting down, a motion which some speculated was Styles spitting on the Star Trek actor
Immediately after, Pine - who was clapping as Styles took his assigned seat next to him at the Venice Film Festival on Sunday - seemed to stop in his tracks and look down at his leg
Stefanovic shared his thoughts after Brooke Boney's (pictured) entertainment news bulletin at 6am, dismissing the alleged spit as a 'boy joke' between the actors
But a representative for Pine told DailyMail.com: 'This is a ridiculous story... a complete fabrication and the result of an odd online illusion that is clearly deceiving and allows for foolish speculation.'
'Just to be clear, Harry Styles did NOT spit on Chris Pine,' she continued.
'There is nothing but respect between these two men, and any suggestion otherwise is a blatant attempt to create drama that simply does not exist.'
DailyMail.com has also reached out to Styles' representatives for comment.
Another video from the so-called 'Spitgate' incident, filmed by Variety's co-editor-in-chief Ramin Setoodeh, shows a different angle and seems to last a few seconds more.
It appears to show Pine and Styles chatting briefly after the apparent incident, though it is unclear what was said during the interaction.
Styles seems to be having a relatively polite conversation with his co-star, which would be unlikely if he had just spat on him.
Meanwhile, separate footage has gone viral of Pine appearing to zone out as Styles, a relative newcomer to the film industry, rambles about the craft of film acting next to him on an interview panel.
Again, fans are speculating this is more proof of alleged tensions between the pair.
The clip, which has been viewed millions of times, is being touted by fans as evidence the critically panned film was plagued by behind-the-scenes tensions. (Left: director Olivia Wilde)
After much anticipation, Olivia Wilde's Don't Worry Darling finally had its world premiere at the Venice International Film Festival.
Before the film, hundreds of screaming Styles fans swarmed the edges of the red carpet trying to get a glimpse of him.
His rapturous reception made the Timothée Chalamet mania seen on Friday seem modest in comparison.
Lead actress Florence Pugh also made a movie star entrance on the Lido donning a sparkling, off-the-shoulder Valentino dress and, like Styles, stopping to talk
