When you think of viral moments in pop culture, one that stands out from the 2017 Golden Globes is the unexpected kiss between two of Hollywood’s most beloved actors: Ryan Reynolds and Andrew Garfield. At the time, the moment was an instant sensation, with fans and media outlets buzzing about their impromptu kiss on stage.
Fast forward to today, and both stars have expressed some regret over the now-infamous moment. But why do they feel this way, and what exactly went down that night? Let’s dive into this fascinating reflection on one of the most talked-about events of the decade.
The 2017 Golden Globe Awards were a memorable night for many reasons. Held on January 8, 2017, the event was a star-studded affair that honored the best in television and film. Among the many exciting moments, one instance truly took everyone by surprise: Ryan Reynolds and Andrew Garfield’s kiss.
The moment occurred during the presentation of the award for Best Actor in a Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy, which Reynolds was nominated for, thanks to his portrayal of Deadpool in the film of the same name.
Andrew Garfield was also present, nominated for his performance in the film Hacksaw Ridge. The two actors, who are known for their playful and charismatic personalities, had the audience on their toes when they shared a quick but passionate kiss in front of millions of viewers.
It all started when the two actors exchanged a lighthearted banter on stage. At one point, Reynolds made a joke about Garfield’s new role in the upcoming film Spider-Man: No Way Home, suggesting that the “Spider-Man kiss” was overdue.
The joke turned into a spontaneous kiss, and the crowd roared with excitement. Fans and media outlets immediately labeled it as the “Golden Globes kiss of the year.”
The kiss quickly became one of the most talked-about moments from the ceremony. Social media exploded with reactions, memes, and gifs. The image of Reynolds and Garfield locking lips was shared across platforms, making it one of the most iconic moments of the 2017 Golden Globes.
For both stars, the kiss sparked widespread media attention. Ryan Reynolds, known for his witty humor and often sarcastic remarks, joked about the moment on Twitter, saying, “If I could give that kiss an award, I would.” Meanwhile, Andrew Garfield took a more introspective approach, thanking Reynolds for his “unbelievably beautiful” kiss.
The moment garnered praise for its lightheartedness and humor, but it also caught the attention of critics. The kiss was perceived as a playful and unexpected gesture in an industry where things can often feel overly rehearsed.
It was a refreshing moment of spontaneity and brotherhood between two men in Hollywood, which led to a wave of support for both stars.
Despite the overwhelming positive response and media frenzy that followed, both Reynolds and Garfield have since reflected on the kiss with a sense of regret. In recent interviews, both actors have opened up about how they feel about the moment now, several years later.
Ryan Reynolds has always been known for his humor, often playing the role of the joker in his public persona. However, during a recent conversation with Vanity Fair, Reynolds admitted that the kiss was a “spur-of-the-moment thing” and that, in hindsight, it may not have been the best idea.
“I wasn’t thinking about the ramifications. It was one of those things where you just kind of do it, and then you wake up the next morning and think, ‘What did I just do?’” Reynolds said.
He went on to explain that while he doesn’t regret the kiss itself, he does regret the way it overshadowed his professional achievements that night. The moment quickly became the focal point of his entire Golden Globes experience, and he felt that it distracted from his work as an actor.
Ryan added that the kiss, while innocent and playful in nature, became “the joke” of the evening rather than a moment of true celebration for the film industry.
“It became this funny thing, and I don’t think I realized at the time how much it would become the defining image of the night.” For Reynolds, it became a reminder of how unpredictable the spotlight can be.
On the other hand, Andrew Garfield has expressed a different type of regret regarding the kiss. Garfield, who is often lauded for his introspective and thoughtful nature, revealed in a later interview with The Hollywood Reporter that the kiss was something he wasn’t completely comfortable with.
“I have so much respect for Ryan, but looking back, I realize I was just caught up in the moment,” Garfield explained. “
It was fun at the time, but I’ve never really been someone who likes to do things for the sake of attention. I wasn’t thinking about how it would come across to others.”
Garfield went on to discuss how the kiss might have unintentionally reinforced a certain expectation of “performing” for the audience rather than simply being genuine.
As an actor who has often sought depth and authenticity in his work, Garfield admitted that the kiss was a moment where he felt he had gone against his natural instincts. “It’s hard to know how to feel about it now, but I wish I had thought it through more,” he said.
In the years following the kiss, both Reynolds and Garfield have realized the weight that comes with being in the public eye. While the kiss was playful and humorous in nature, the viral reaction created a kind of pressure that neither actor expected.
Fans and critics alike had their own interpretations, some of which were far from flattering. The kiss became more than just a funny moment; it became a symbol of Hollywood’s obsession with sensationalism.
Garfield and Reynolds have both expressed how that attention felt like it had overshadowed their careers in a way that felt uncomfortable and out of their control.
The actors both acknowledged that while they were certainly not ashamed of the moment, they regret the way it overshadowed their professional work. The kiss became a symbol of how fleeting moments in Hollywood could easily become twisted into something larger than life, whether they intended for it to be or not.
Though both actors had already established themselves as household names by the time of the 2017 Golden Globes, the viral kiss undeniably added to their celebrity status. However, the question remains: Did the kiss have a lasting effect on their careers?
In the years following the kiss, Ryan Reynolds went on to further success with the continued popularity of Deadpool, as well as starring in blockbuster films like The Hitman’s Bodyguard and Free Guy.
He later became a major voice for brands like Aviation Gin and even launched his own production company, Maximum Effort. However, despite all these accomplishments, Reynolds’ viral kiss at the Golden Globes is still something that follows him to this day.
Meanwhile, Andrew Garfield has experienced a more nuanced career trajectory. After the kiss, Garfield returned to critical acclaim with his roles in films like Hacksaw Ridge and his Tony Award-winning performance in Angels in America on Broadway.
But even Garfield’s recent return as Spider-Man in Spider-Man: No Way Home didn’t escape the shadow of the kiss. Many fans and critics continued to bring it up, despite his notable acting achievements.
Both stars, however, have used their experiences to further define themselves beyond viral moments. While the kiss may have defined their Golden Globe appearance, both actors have since shown their versatility and depth in a wide range of roles and projects.
The viral kiss between Ryan Reynolds and Andrew Garfield at the 2017 Golden Globes will always be remembered as one of the most unexpected and entertaining moments in recent Hollywood history.
While both actors admit to some regret, they have also used the moment to reflect on their careers and the impact of living in the public eye.
In the end, the kiss was a lighthearted and spontaneous moment that showed the human side of two major Hollywood stars. Though both men now view it with a degree of regret, the fact remains that it helped them connect with audiences in a way that only a viral moment can.
As they continue to evolve as actors and public figures, Ryan Reynolds and Andrew Garfield will always have that unforgettable Golden Globes kiss in their history, a moment that, despite their feelings about it now, will never be forgotten.