10 Most Awkward Kiss-Cam Moments

The kiss cam is a staple at modern sporting events. And if you don’t know what it is, the name says it all. The camera literally focuses on the couples in the audience and pressures them to share a kiss. And the crowd eats it up!

While most people find it a fun and harmless game, it can lead to some awkward moments, especially when the couples caught on camera aren’t quite on the same page.

No one is off limits: Celebrities, athletes, and everyday fans alike have all been on the kiss cam, delivering some of the most heartwarming or sickening moments over the years. Here are some of the most awkward kiss cam situations, so you can decide for yourself if they’re funny or embarrassing.

Related: 10 interesting kissing customs from around the world

10 keep it in the family

Forget kissing cousins; We’re talking about brothers on the kissing cam. Is there anything more awkward and hilarious at the same time?

You know what I’m talking about: that moment when the camera pans over two people and it’s clear they have absolutely no intention of kissing.

Their facial expressions and body language are priceless as they try to dodge the camera or just burst out laughing. It happens so often that some people come prepared with signs or plan what they will do if they end up in the jumbotron.

On the other hand, some brothers use the spotlight to show off their dance moves or perform a quick skit, leaving everyone laughing. Even if the siblings decide to do nothing, the awkward energy is still fun to watch.

9 celebrity lock lips

You’d think the people who work in front of the camera wouldn’t mind being on the kiss cam, but they’re just like everyone else. We love it when the stadium camera captures that awkward tension between famous faces and their loved ones.

See, the best celeb make-out cam moments are the ones that catch them off guard. Maybe they get caught in the middle of a conversation or carry a mascot head. Whatever the case, it is the unexpected of these moments that catches us.

On-camera make-out moments with celebrities are a good reminder that even the rich and famous can’t escape the discomfort of PDAs.

8 Trouble in paradise

Capturing a lover’s spat between couples is another comedy gem the kiss cam gods have given us. Imagine being in front of thousands of people, all urging you to kiss, only to end up airing out your dirty laundry for the entire arena. Secondhand shame is real here, folks.

Sometimes couples start off playfully bantering…until the argument turns real. You can practically feel the energy change on the screen. And when the couple takes things to the next level and starts a full blown fight right there on the kiss cam? Gold. They end up throwing popcorn or drinks at each other. Bench time!

It really makes me curious how many relationships the kiss cam is responsible for ending.

7 anything for that kiss

They always have so much hope. That person who’s ready and itching to frown leans in for the kiss, only to be met with a turned cheek or (worse) a laugh. There is nothing worse than being rejected by someone who is clearly not sorry.

But things get really awkward when they don’t give up. They will keep trying, making multiple attempts, each one more fun than the last. From goofy faces to a complete immersion in their neighbor, they’ll do whatever it takes to get that coveted kiss. It’s funny when you obviously know each other, but it gets weird when you’re complete strangers.

6 I’m not with them

Kiss-cam operators aren’t perfect, so when the cam ends up on the wrong couple, everyone is confused for a moment. The camera zooms in on two hilariously unlike strangers, leading to a hilariously awkward interaction.

There have even been times when the person struggles to find their partner. They start pointing or gesturing wildly, even running around the stadium, all while the audience laughs and cheers. But what really kills me is when the camera operator duplicates his mistakes and keeps cutting off the weird ones until he finally plants one.

5 Furries need love too

Yes, you read that right. Sometimes the kiss cam pans to a couple about to share a kiss, only to be interrupted by the pet. The pet jumps between the couple, steals a kiss or just stands still. Either way, we love it.

Who would have thought that a giant furry creature would be the one to interrupt a steamy display of affection? The skit that happens in this clip is as funny to me as watching the couple get interrupted. Probably because it combines several things on this list, we count it as one of the best kiss-cam moments to ever happen.

4 Strange! Kiss-Cam Friend Zone

The dreaded friend zone: a place where unrequited love goes to die. And what better place to put your friend zone on display than on the kiss cam?

It’s a story as old as time: the camera zooms in on a couple of friends. One (usually the guy) is clearly interested in something else. They’ll lean in to kiss him, only to be met with an awkward deflection or a quick peck on the cheek.

It’s probably every “good guy’s” dream and nightmare coming together in one awkward encounter. Moments like these can serve as cautionary tales that sometimes love just isn’t meant to be.

3 Love never dies

Nine times out of ten, seeing a couple of seniors on the kiss cam will end with a sweet, tender kiss. You know, the kind every romance novelist tries (and usually fails) to write about. But that tenth time is gold.

It truly is a magical moment when the couple passes the age of shame and embodies the saying, “I’m here for a good time, not a long time.” And these kissing cam moments are a poignant reminder that love is truly everlasting. These couples have been through it all and yet still enjoy sharing a public display of affection.

Hopefully we can all keep the same energy this grandpa has because he has “till death do us part” vibes written all over him.

2 stealing the show

When someone uses the kiss cam as an opportunity to propose in front of thousands of people, it can be an awkward moment if the other person says no or even takes too long to respond.

The best part of kiss-cam proposals is the sheer unpredictability of it all. You never know what’s going to happen, but you can always count on a story to tell your friends later.

And this is one of the moments where it gets more awkward the more you think about it. A fair amount of planning and effort usually goes into a proposal, so if the answer isn’t what you expected, it could be the scariest time of his life.

Luckily for this guy, his girlfriend knew him well enough to pull off this proposal. My advice is if he’s not sure they’ll say yes, don’t ask. Write it down, he will save you in the future.

1 Flying solo is not for the faint of heart

It should be noted that there is nothing wrong with doing things on your own or going on a date. It can be very comforting and beneficial to your mental health.

But for most people, going to dinner or a movie alone is pretty uncomfortable. Imagine going to a sporting event only to have your singleness announced to a crowd of thousands.

And it makes a lot of sense to have a wide range of emotions. The kiss cam is designed to show love and intimacy in public between couples. Public “self-respect” is generally frowned upon, so it’s natural to feel uncomfortable, self-conscious, or anxious about being on the big screen.

But don’t let your nerves stop you from having a good time. The guy in the clip wore it to show love to his dog! If you don’t have a dog handy, here are some other ideas so you don’t let the moment go unchecked:

• take your drink
• eat your food animal style
• Come prepared with some small accessories.
• Dance like nobody’s watching
• Sink to the ground and disappear

Luckily, solo kiss cam moments are perfect for being goofy. If the kiss camera focuses on you, freak out; steal the show. You’ll make a great memory and hopefully spread some love.