Sources close to Harry Styles have denied that the singer-actor spat at co-star Chris Pine at the premiere of his film, Don’t Worry Darling, at the Venice Film Festival on Monday.
Speculation dominated sections of the internet overnight and into Tuesday after video footage emerged that appeared to show Styles depositing saliva on Pine’s lap as he took his seat for the world premiere.
“That’s not true,” sources close to Styles said Tuesday. Pine’s rep later released a statement saying, “This is a ridiculous story – a complete fabrication and the result of a strange online illusion that is clearly misleading and allows for stupid speculation. 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.”
The suggestion of such behavior was fueled by what appears to have been a tense press push for the film thus far. Pine appeared detached at Monday’s press conference, during which Olivia Wilde, the film’s director, tried to play down rumors of a rift between her and the film’s star, Florence Pugh.
Pugh did not appear at the press conference, but did appear at the premiere, in which he appeared to consciously avoid eye contact with Wilde.
A subsequent question during the press conference about Shia LaBeouf’s exit from the film was shut down before Wilde had a chance to respond.
Don’t Worry Darling is a thriller set in a seemingly perfect American suburb. Styles and Pugh play a couple whose marriage is put under strain when Pugh’s character uncovers a secret about a neighbor’s disappearance.
Reviews of the film have been generally unfavorable, with critics praising Pugh but suggesting that Styles’ acting prowess may be lacking.
“I have no idea what I’m doing,” Styles said at Monday’s press conference.