Overview

• Pedro Pascal has said he uses touch, including handholding and chest-placing, to ground his anxiety in public appearances.
• Vanessa Kirby told Vanity Fair that their off-screen hand-holding began as a mutual gesture of solidarity during nervous press events.
• Compilation clips of their tactile interactions circulated on July 23–24, racking up millions of views and fueling a wave of ‘hot girl anxiety’ memes.
• Critics described the displays as unprofessional and questioned why Pascal’s anxiety-based touching appears limited to female co-stars.
• Defenders noted the mutual consent and authenticity of their friendship and highlighted the need for empathy around mental health under public scrutiny.