Harry Styles Spit On Chris Pine / Spitgate

About

Harry Styles Spit On Chris Pine, also known as Spitgate, refers to a viral debate inspired by a viral video of what appeared to be Harry Styles spitting on actor Chris Pine during the screening of their 2022 film Don't Worry Darling. Twitter speculated that he did spit on Pine due to the ongoing drama involving the film's cast, however, others tried to slow-mo the video to show no spit being emitted from Styles' mouth. This led to multiple Chris Pine memes throughout early September 2022.

Origin

On September 5th, 2022, Twitter^[1] user JZMaclin posted a video taken at the premiere screening of Don't Worry Darling. In the video, it appeared that former One Direction member, musician and Don't Worry Darling actor Harry Styles spat in the lap of fellow actor Chris Pine as he sat down in the seat next to him. JZMaclin captioned the video, "#HarryStyles appears to spit on Chris Pine i won't sleep until i know the truth," and in less than 24 hours, the video received roughly 11.9 million views and 102,000 likes (shown below).

#HarryStyles appears to spit on Chris Pine i won't sleep until i know the truth pic.twitter.com/wLXjIHTYgU

— JZMaclin (@Mac70J) September 6, 2022

Spread

As the video gained engagement in the hours that followed its posting, a viral debate ensued regarding whether or not Styles actually spit on Pine. For instance, on September 5th, 2022, Twitter^[2] user wtchusmokedrink replied with a different video showing a different angle of the alleged spit, originally tweeted by Twitter^[3] user RaminSetoodeh hours prior. Wtchusmokedrink wrote in their reply, "wtf why would he spit on him?😭 at this point you guys are just doing everything you can to make him look bad like its sad," and received roughly 4,700 likes in less than a day (shown below).

wtf why would he spit on him?😭 at this point you guys are just doing everything you can to make him look bad like its sad pic.twitter.com/LUr7dA5GXG

— getaway car (@wtchusmokedrink) September 6, 2022

Roughly two hours after the original video was posted on Twitter, Twitter^[4] user lexceloml posted a video (since-deleted) that slowed the footage down to reveal no spit actually leaving Styles' mouth. The video received an unknown amount of likes, however, later on September 5th, 2022, Twitter^[5] user TheHSUpdate reposted lexceloml's video, captioning it, "HE IS INNOCENT," and receiving roughly 1.9 million views and 19,600 likes (shown below).

HE IS INNOCENT pic.twitter.com/yGlH52WaxC

— Harry Styles Updates. (@TheHSUpdate) September 6, 2022

Despite the slowed-down video, discourse and memes continued on the topic of whether or not Styles spat on Pine. For instance, on September 6th, 2022, Twitter^[6] user Mac70J tweeted a "Back, And To The Left" meme from the 1991 Oliver Stone film JFK. The tweet received roughly 5,900 likes in less than a day (shown below, left). Also on September 6th, Twitter^[7] user deuxmoiworld tweeted a meme that emphasized Pine was only reaching down for his sunglasses, not looking at the alleged spit that had just landed on him. The tweet received roughly 8,100 likes in less than a day (shown below, right).

Developments

Chris Pine Denies The Harry Styles Spit Accusations

Later on September 6th, Variety^[8] published an article in which they spoke to representatives of both Styles and Pine who ultimately denied the spitting allegations. For instance, Pine's rep. told Variety, "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."

Various Examples

BREAKING NEWS HARRY STYLES THROWS GOAT ON CHRIS PINE AT VENICE FILM FESTIVAL!!!! pic.twitter.com/A8ZzRXwK5B

— ally 🧸 (@bbyonlyangel) September 6, 2022

Search Interest

External References