Finneas O'Connell Faces Backlash Over Stage Kiss

Finneas O'Connell, the Grammy-winning producer and brother of Billie Eilish, sparked controversy after kissing his male guitarist, Ricky Gourmet, during a live concert in Brooklyn. The kiss, which occurred while performing his song '1 True Love', garnered significant attention on social media, drawing both praise and accusations of 'queerbaiting', a term used to describe the suggestion of LGBTQ+ themes without explicit representation. Critics pointed to similar accusations faced by Eilish in the past, suggesting that the siblings engage in such acts for attention. Despite the backlash, many fans defended Finneas, applauding his openness and authenticity. Additionally, Finneas, who has been dating YouTuber Claudia Sulewski since 2018, also kissed her on stage, indicating that the kiss with his guitarist was likely more playful than romantic. The situation highlights ongoing discussions about celebrity expressions of affection and the complexities surrounding perceptions of sexuality in public performances.