Scarlett Johansson and Colin Jost may now be one of Hollywood’s most solid couples. However, according to Johansson, their love story almost ended before it started. During a candid conversation on “TODAY with Jenna & Friends,” the actress shared that she unexpectedly cut their first date short. She revealed that she felt overwhelmed by the unfamiliar territory of casual dating.
Scarlett Johansson recalls what she did on first date with Colin Jost
While co-hosting the morning show on Monday, Scarlett Johansson opened up about the moment she unintentionally sent Colin Jost mixed signals. Discussing early dating experiences with Jenna Bush Hager, the “Black Widow” star explained that long-term relationships had kept her out of the traditional dating scene.
Calling herself a “serial monogamist,” Johansson admitted that the simple idea of someone asking her out to dinner felt foreign at the time. The actress, who had previously been married twice before meeting the Saturday Night Live star, said she and Jost chose a cozy Italian spot in New York’s East Village for their first outing.
According to her recollection, the date itself went smoothly — they talked, ate, and enjoyed each other’s company without a hitch. The unexpected twist came afterward, when Jost suggested they keep the night going by meeting up with some of his friends for a drink.
Caught off guard, Johansson said she panicked. “I was just like, ‘I’ve got to go now. I need to leave,’” she told Jenna, recalling how she wrapped up the date abruptly and headed home. When she arrived far earlier than expected, even her babysitter questioned why she was back so soon.
Johansson said she could only respond that she felt “flustered” and unsure how to interpret Jost’s invitation at the time. Despite the awkward ending, Jost didn’t hold the surprise exit against her.
Johansson shared that he later admitted he assumed she wasn’t interested. Fortunately, they gave the connection another try. It was this decision that ultimately grew into a nearly decade-long romance and a marriage in 2020.
Jost has previously written about his early impressions of Johansson in his memoir, “A Very Punchable Face.” In it, he described feeling intimidated by her poise when they first met on SNL years earlier. Though he joked about his own scruffier appearance at the time, he emphasized how naturally the two fit together once they reconnected.
