The internet can’t seem to agree on what to make of David Corenswet‘s recent remarks about Jonathan Bailey during their Variety Actors on Actors conversation (watch below). What started as a compliment between two Hollywood heartthrobs has quickly turned into a full-blown online debate about masculinity, gender roles, and whether the Superman star’s comments were actually as problematic as some claim.
During the wide-ranging chat, David Corenswet and Jonathan Bailey bonded over something pretty unique—they’ve both filmed levitating kiss scenes in their blockbuster films. While Corenswet carried his co-star in the new Superman movie, Bailey found himself in a different position entirely in Wicked. In the musical’s romantic number “As Long As You’re Mine,” Cynthia Erivo‘s Elphaba actually lifts Jonathan Bailey’s Fiyero into the air.
That’s when things got interesting. David Corenswet decided to give his fellow actor some props for the scene, telling him, “You had the bigger challenge. You are carried by Cynthia. She’s levitating you.” He continued, “Every man out there would think, There’s no way you can look masculine and powerful and in control when you’re being levitated by a woman.”
The Superman star didn’t stop there. “You somehow, in that moment, when she’s lifting you by your arms…You somehow maintain your masculinity,” David Corenswet said, adding, “It was amazing.” He then concluded with, “Well done, mate. ‘Cause it’s a lot easier when you get to carry the girl.”
Meanwhile, Jonathan Bailey handled the moment with his trademark grace. After a brief pause, he responded, “Oh my God, yeah. It was a total honor. And also, I mean, listen. I’d be carried by both Cynthia and Ari for the rest of my life if I could be. What a treat to be able to come and do my bit, but also to share a moment like that.”
Naturally, the exchange went viral, and reactions came pouring in from all corners of social media. “I get what he was trying to say but the way he said it,” one person tweeted, summing up the divided response. Another user observed, “jonny trying to redirect david from the weird masculinity comment by saying it was his greatest privilege and he would gladly be carried by both cynthia and ari and then david doubling down is painful to watch ngl.”
However, not everyone saw David Corenswet’s comments as problematic. Several users jumped to his defense, with one writing, “Being carried and vulnerable isn’t what society would deem as masculine at all, so David, as a man, is complimenting Jonathan. Men are allowed to have opinions on their shared experiences, that doesn’t make it anti woman/feminity.”
Another supporter pointed out, “he literally says that SOCIETY AND ESPECIALLY MOST MEN would see that as emasculating??? which is true??” One more user echoed this sentiment, noting, “isn’t he quite literally saying that the movie does a good job conveying how he can still appear masculine despite the woman character being the one with much greater power and in control of him, he seems to be complimenting the movie for not adhering to toxic masculine roles.”
The Actors on Actors conversation also touched on other topics, including Jonathan Bailey’s recent title as People‘s first openly gay Sexiest Man Alive and the physical transformations both actors underwent for their respective roles in Wicked and Superman. Both stars, who began their careers as theater kids, expressed amazement at how their paths have led them to become leading men in major Hollywood productions.
At the end of the day, whether you think David Corenswet was being supportive or perpetuating outdated gender norms probably depends on your perspective. What’s clear is that the conversation has sparked an important dialogue about how we talk about masculinity in 2025, especially when it comes to scenes that flip traditional gender dynamics on their head.
