LOS ANGELES – A viral comedic moment between superstars Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang has found new life, as the Ariana Grande Bowen Yang kiss from a 2024 “Saturday Night Live” sketch became a central topic in a revealing new lie detector test.
The two performers, who co-star in the blockbuster film adaptation of “Wicked,” sat down for a joint “Vanity Fair” polygraph interview released in mid-November 2025. The segment provided a candid, and humorous, post-mortem on the infamous sketch, with Yang ultimately ranking Grande’s kissing abilities against another “SNL” co-star.
The original event occurred during Grande’s “SNL” hosting appearance on October 12, 2024. In a sketch titled “Charades With Mom,” Grande played a competitive mother whose game night with her son (Michael Longfellow) and his new boyfriend, “Josh” (Yang), descends into chaos. The sketch climaxed with Grande and Yang’s characters engaging in a heated argument that unexpectedly and aggressively turned into a passionate, open-mouthed kiss, horrifying the other characters.
The Lie Detector Test: Co-Stars Revisit Viral Moment
During the new “Vanity Fair” segment, Grande, while operating the questions, put her co-star in the hot seat about their on-screen moment. “You kissed me during an ‘SNL’ sketch,” Grande began, prompting Yang to recall the incident.
“Did you enjoy it? The kiss?” Grande pressed.
Yang, visibly amused, responded with a laugh. “It was the only time I’ve kissed someone where a crowd screamed in horror,” he admitted. “So I think I liked it? That’s the only time I’ve gotten, like, exclamatory feedback on a kiss.”
The line of questioning continued. When Grande asked flatly if he thought she was a “good kisser,” Yang replied, “Yeah. You were really good.” The polygraph examiner, however, interjected with a verdict: “Inconclusive.”
Grande immediately provided context, exclaiming, “He’s gay! Pardon me, gay,” which provided a factual basis for the machine’s ambiguous reading on his attraction.
Not letting him off the hook, Grande then produced a photo of actress Sydney Sweeney, whom Yang had also kissed in a separate “SNL” sketch. “Was I better than this woman?” Grande asked. Yang affirmed, “You… were.”
He then provided a detailed justification for his answer, explaining that his sketch with Sweeney was “rushed” and that an intimacy coordinator had specifically instructed them, “Keep the lips closed, no tongue.” He contrasted this with his kiss with Grande, implying it felt more genuine to the chaotic, comedic moment they had built.
Behind the Sketch: The Origins of the ‘SNL’ Kiss
The “Vanity Fair” interview is the latest chapter in the saga of the kiss, which was first deconstructed by the pair on Yang’s “Las Culturistas” podcast on November 6, 2024. During that appearance, they revealed the climactic kiss was not in the original script.
Both performers confessed to having the exact same idea independently after the initial table read.
“I didn’t say anything because I was like, ‘Oh, everyone’s gonna think I’m absolutely insane and too comfortable,'” Grande recalled on the podcast. “But I was like, ‘Oh, how funny would it be if we kissed at the end?'”
Hours later, she received a text from Yang. “Bowen texts me… and was like, ‘It’s totally fine if this is way too crazy, but we were talking, and thought it would be so funny if we kissed at the end,'” Grande continued. “And I was like, ‘Wow. I was thinking that.'”
The co-stars clarified that they opted to perform the kiss for the first time during the dress rehearsal rather than surprising each other—and the live audience—with it. Grande referred to it as a “very grown-up conversation” to ensure they were both comfortable with the comedic beat.
‘I Opened My Mouth Too Much’: Yang’s Apology and Grande’s Reaction
The podcast also served as the venue for Yang’s formal, half-joking apology for his technique during the sketch.
“I really have to apologize to you in person,” Yang stated seriously. “I opened my mouth up too much when we kissed on ‘SNL’.”
Grande immediately burst into laughter, confirming his assessment: “You absolutely did.” She quickly added, “No, no, no, not in a bad way! Just in a disarming way.”
She defended the actor’s choice, placing it within the context of their characters’ heightened emotions. “We were really dropped in,” Grande analyzed. “It felt like what these people needed at that time. It felt like what these characters required. And I’m all for it.”
She concluded her thoughts with a final playful jab, “No, I’m kidding! For the characters, I think it was perfectly open.”A Friendship Forged on ‘Wicked’
This candid, humorous banter is reflective of a close friendship solidified during the demanding production of their two-part film musical, “Wicked,” in which Grande stars as Glinda and Yang portrays Pfannee, a friend of Glinda’s from Shiz University.
Their collaboration extends far beyond a single “SNL” sketch. In 2024, reports surfaced detailing the significant personal support Grande provided Yang during the film’s production in London. Yang was simultaneously flying back and forth to New York to fulfill his “SNL” cast member duties, a grueling schedule he described as taking a psychic toll.
Sources from that period noted that Grande, understanding the pressure, actively reached out to Yang to ensure his well-being, inviting him for quiet nights to “watch a movie” and offering a supportive “ear and a hug.”
This established friendship provides the necessary context for their recent press appearances, which read less as standard promotional obligations and more as a genuine, public display of their shared sense of humor. The “Vanity Fair” segment, in particular, demonstrates a savvy understanding of modern media, leveraging a year-old viral sketch into new, highly engaging content to support their current film project. It transforms a behind-the-scenes anecdote into a newsworthy event, all while reinforcing their authentic off-screen chemistry for audiences.
Frequently Asked Questions
Did Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang actually kiss?
Yes, Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang shared a kiss during a sketch on “Saturday Night Live” on October 12, 2024. The kiss was a scripted comedic moment in a sketch titled “Charades With Mom,” where Yang played the boyfriend of Grande’s son.
Was the kiss between Bowen Yang and Ariana Grande real?
The kiss was a real, physical kiss performed by the actors as part of a comedy sketch. It was not a romantic or personal event. Both stars later revealed the kiss was not in the original script but was an idea they both had and agreed to add after a “grown-up conversation” before the dress rehearsal.
Why did Bowen Yang apologize to Ariana Grande?
During a November 2024 episode of his “Las Culturistas” podcast, Bowen Yang apologized to Ariana Grande, stating, “I opened my mouth up too much when we kissed on SNL.” Grande confirmed this with a laugh, adding that the choice was “disarming” but appropriate for their over-the-top characters in the sketch.
What did Bowen Yang say about kissing Ariana Grande vs. Sydney Sweeney?
In a November 2025 “Vanity Fair” lie detector test, Ariana Grande asked Bowen Yang if she was a better kisser than actress Sydney Sweeney (whom Yang also kissed in an “SNL” sketch). Yang replied, “You… were.” He explained his kiss with Sweeney was “rushed” and guided by an intimacy coordinator to have “closed lips,” implying his comedic kiss with Grande felt more “genuine” to the moment.
Are Ariana Grande and Bowen Yang friends?
Yes, Bowen Yang and Ariana Grande are close friends and co-stars in the “Wicked” film. Reports from 2024 confirmed that Grande provided significant personal support to Yang during a difficult period when he was balancing filming “Wicked” in London with his “SNL” duties in New York.