In a world where tumultuous romantic relationships often dominate public attention, celebrities are increasingly showcasing the enduring power of friendship through a distinctive ritual: the platonic "gal-pal kiss." This week, This Morning presenter Cat Deeley playfully smooched her best friend Charlie Brear on the lips in a birthday tribute, joining a growing list of public figures like Hannah Waddingham, Gigi Hadid, and Madonna who have publicly planted pecks on their closest companions.
The Evolutionary Roots of Non-Sexual Kissing
Communications coach and body language expert Judi James, speaking to the Daily Mail, explains that these displays are far from random acts of affection. "This ritual is closer to the idea of showing off strong ties," she notes. "The friendship bonds will be reassuringly enduring and stable, while the nurturing aspect might feel supportive and help to reduce stress." James describes it as a sweet and proud "flaunting" of platonic connections, offering a counterpoint to the often volatile nature of celebrity romances.
From Maternal Love to Social Bonding
James delves into the evolutionary purpose behind such kisses, challenging the common perception that lip kisses are inherently sexual. "We tend to see a kiss on the lips as something sexual, often a form of sensual foreplay leading to sex," she observes. "But mouth kissing has also evolved from a completely different and non-sexual origin, that has more to do with nurturing than lust."
She points to animal behavior, where feeding young mouth-to-mouth signifies maternal love or affectionate sharing. Primates, for instance, use kissing to display social bonding as a symbol of strong ties. This act can be calming, triggering emotions of security and love reminiscent of infancy. "The ritual would normally involve what's called a 'Guppy kiss', mimicking the kind of non-sexual and rather sweet kiss that children exchange with their friends, siblings, and parents," James adds.
Hollywood's Embrace of Platonic Affection
This phenomenon is particularly prevalent in Hollywood, where non-sexual kisses are becoming a common way to celebrate friendship. Recent examples include:
- Gigi Hadid and Kendall Jenner sharing a friendly kiss in 2023.
- Juno Temple and Hannah Waddingham's sweet platonic kiss at the Critics Choice Awards in 2022.
- Angela Bassett and Regina King exchanging a platonic peck at the Governors Awards in 2024.
- Kate Winslet and Allison Janney enjoying a friendly smooch at the Hollywood Film Awards in 2017.
James notes that these kisses often involve an open-eyed, mirrored pose with lips lightly touching, distinct from the closed-eye intensity of romantic kisses. Even romantic couples may engage in non-romantic smooches to show affection without sexual connotations.
Red Carpet Reactions and Defenses
The trend has sparked both admiration and curiosity. During the summer, Scarlett Johansson and her openly gay co-star Jonathan Bailey raised eyebrows with tender kisses at premieres for their film Jurassic World: Rebirth. Bailey defended their display, telling ET, "I believe in being able to show love in all different ways. And if you can't kiss your friends? Life's too short not to!"
Johansson's husband, Colin Jost, dismissed concerns, noting that Bailey's sexuality made him a non-threat. "People really blow it out of proportion when someone, like, kisses their friend hello. That's pretty nuts," he remarked. Johansson and Bailey even joked about the attention, with Johansson quipping, "I guess we have to kiss now? Is that what happens? Close the loop?"
As celebrities continue to normalize these gestures, they highlight a broader cultural shift towards valuing and visibly celebrating platonic bonds in an era where friendship can be as powerful and public as romance.
