Representatives for don’t worry darling star Chris Pine said claims that co-star Harry Styles ‘spit’ on him at the Venice Film Festival were a ‘complete fabrication’.
On Monday, September 5, a brief but puzzling interaction between the couple at the Venice Film Festival went viral on social media.
Styles and Pine were at the Venice screening of don’t worry darling with co-stars including the lead actor Florence Poug and director Olivia Wilde when the moment was captured on video.
In the clip, posted by Twitter user JZMaclin, it was claimed that Styles “seems to spit” on Pine while taking his assigned seat next to the actor, who then looks down at his lap and stops clapping.
By Tuesday, September 6, the clip had received over 5.5 million views, with many fans saying Styles “definitely” spit on his co-actor.
Other viewers dismissed the “spitting” allegation and said it was more likely the pair were joking.
Pine’s rep has now released a statement to People,commenting: “It’s a ridiculous story – a complete fabrication and the result of a bizarre online illusion that is clearly misleading and allows for foolish speculation.”
They added: “Just to be clear, Harry Styles didn’t spit on Chris Pine. There is nothing but respect between these two men and any suggestion to the contrary is a blatant attempt to create drama that doesn’t exist at all. just not.
A source close to Styles also said The Independent that the alleged incident was “not true”.
The speculation surrounding the clip was likely fueled by the controversies that bogged down the press for Don’t worry darling, including a dispute over the nature of actor Shia LaBeouf leaving the project, later replaced by Styles.
Prior to the film’s release, Wilde claimed she fired LaBeouf, who was originally cast opposite Pugh, in 2020 to create a ‘safe and trusting environment’ on setclaiming that her acting process “wasn’t conducive to the ethos” she demands in her productions.
However, LaBeouf, who is currently awaiting trial after being sued for “relentless abuse” by his former partner, British musician FKA twigs, has denied being fired. He sent Variety a video he claims to have received from Wilde, which the watch asking him not to leave the project.
Shortly after the Venice Film Festival press conference for don’t worry darlingAlex Ritman confirmed that he “just tried to ask Olivia Wilde about Shia LaBeouf” during the conference but “the festival wouldn’t let me.”
Festival organizers have apparently suggested that Ritman’s question has already been “answered” as part of Wilde’s comments on the alleged feud with Pughwho skipped the press conference.
news that Pugh would not participate in the panel came in the middle reports of a quarrel between her and Wilde which have been in progress since the beginning of this year.
The mid summer The 26-year-old actress walked the red carpet for the film’s premiere, as it was reported she would.
You can read The Independentthe examination of don’t worry darling here.
This story was updated Tuesday, September 6 to include response from Pine’s rep and a source close to Styles.