
On July 22, 2025, in Los Angeles, was the world premiere of The Fantastic Four: First Steps introducing Marvel’s original superhero family to cinemagoers played by Pedro Pascal as Reed Richards (Mr. Fantastic) and Vanessa Kirbyas Sue Storm (Invisible Woman). It was a red-carpet affair that was held on Dorothy Chandler Pavilion and was a who’s who of stars that was celebrating MCU’s newest installment. But a 16-second teaser off a blue carpet that was uploaded by Marvel Studios and getting a push from X user @sakotrak stole attention from the film to stars’ off-screen lives. The video, showing Pascal and Kirby holding hands, hugging, and exchanging affectionate gestures, exploded online, amassing over 38.8 million views after a repost by content creator Feared Buck.
The viral clip captured Pascal gently rubbing Kirby’s arm and Kirby playfully touching his face, prompting a polarized reaction. Some fans on X, like @dom_lucre, labeled the interactions as “cheating,” pointing to Kirby’s engagement to former lacrosse star Paul Rabil and her announced pregnancy in May 2025. Comments like “Why are they so touchy?” fueled speculation about inappropriate behavior. Others defended the pair, arguing the gestures reflected a supportive friendship. One X user wrote,
“It’s hilarious how incels are furious every time Pedro touches Vanessa when this is her towards Pedro,”
highlighting Kirby’s reciprocal affection.
Pascal, known for The Mandalorian and Game of Thrones, has been open about his struggles with anxiety, noting that physical touch, like hand-holding, helps ground him during high-pressure events. In a 2024 San Diego Comic-Con interview, Kirby was seen offering reassuring support to Pascal onstage, a dynamic she later praised:
“I’ve never had a male actor as a counterpart who’s been so utterly equal and supportive.”
Kirby, celebrated for The Crown, also credited Pascal and her co-stars for supporting her through her pregnancy, saying,
“I had these three incredible men by my side… they were totally there with me.”
These statements frame their interactions as professional and platonic, rooted in mutual trust.
The scandal surrounding Pascal and Kirby’s chemistry exposes a broader issue: how quickly internet moments become viral with misinformation. Platforms themselves promote engagement more than accuracy, turning doubtful gestures into scandal. This moment also asks for a consideration of professional boundary and public assumption, particularly when mental health scenarios, like Pascal’s anxiety, or personal accomplishment, like Kirby being pregnant, become overlooked.