Jack Harlow says working with Lil Nas X was “one of the best nights of [his] entire life”. (Getty)
Jack Harlow cheekily addressed “rumours” he’s romantically linked to Lil Nas X as he pulled double duties as host and musical guest on Saturday Night Live (SNL).
Harlow took to the stage for his opening monologue Saturday (29 October) to speak about the “rumours” about him circulating online. This included a theory he was “created by the CIA” as well as gossip that he’s in a romantic relationship with Lil Nas X, with whom he recorded the song “Industry Baby”.
“I’ve heard people try to romantically link me and Lil Nas X as an item,” Harlow said. “I’m going to tell you right now: No, everything that happened between us was casual and consensual and one of the best nights of my entire life – working with him, working with him.”
Needless to say, people on social media found it hilarious that Harlow would talk about fans shipping him and Nas on SNL.
Working with him, under him. pic.twitter.com/2xS8MZ9ftC
— Waiting for Holiday Season (@8bitLNXpage) October 30, 2022
jack Harlow saying that he and @LilNasX dicked down is the highlight of this opening monologue
— Ryan (@Morp_Mars) October 30, 2022
jack harlow knows people ship him with lil nas x 👀👀👀 #snl
— rach (@superbatson) October 30, 2022
Ok, now I kinda want @jackharlow & @LilNasX to be a thing lol 😘😜@nbcsnl #SNL
— Andrew Dixon (@AndrewDixon8) October 30, 2022
Now what kind of work? Because there are various jobs and positions to consider here. pic.twitter.com/TgFnsjbMec
— 𝓜ari “𝓣hee 𝓜unch” 𝓠uinn TEE DAY!!! (@ThatMariQuinn) October 30, 2022
Jack Harlow and Lil Nas X have repeatedly shown off their genuine admiration for each other and their friendship since their collaboration on “Industry Baby” and its steamy music video, which saw Nas strip down and dance naked in the prison’s shower room.
After the release of the music video, Harlow explained on Twitter that he “woulda been in that shower scene” if Nas, who he said was the “mastermind cook”, had just asked him to bare it all in the scene.
Lil Nas X quickly responded that he wanted to “shoot it again” with Harlow participating in the iconic scene. Fans jumped in on the discourse on social media, declaring they would “never forgive” Nas for not putting Harlow in the shower scene.
“To the LGBTQ+ community I sincerely apologise,” he tweeted afterwards. “I have failed you. I am embarrassed. I am ashamed. And i will learn from my mistakes.”
Jack Harlow gushed about Nas, who he described as a “hero” and a boundary pusher, in an interview with the Guardian in May. He also slammed the negative reaction to Nas and his work, saying there is still “some homophobia going on” in society.
“The totally inappropriate reaction to him lets you know that we still have some progress to be made,” Harlow said, referring to Nas’ sexuality. “And you hear it in passing; there’s still some homophobia going on.”
He continued: “But he’s taking the hit that artists won’t have to take in the future. That’s what makes him a hero.”