As anyone who tuned in to Sunday's Academy Awards telecast can attest, John Travolta was pretty hands-on at the Oscars. In fact, on the red carpet the actor was even lips-on — as in his lips were on Scarlett Johansson.

But while that kiss looked a bit uncomfortable to observers, the actress now insists it wasn't unwelcome.

“The image that is circulating is an unfortunate still-frame from a live-action encounter that was very sweet and totally welcome," Johansson told The Associated Press of the buzzed-about shot. "That still photo does not reflect what preceded and followed if you see the moment live."

But what about Travolta's other up-close-and-personal Oscar interaction — when he pulled co-presenter Idina Menzel to him and held her chin?

John Travolta can’t keep his hands off Idina Menzel

Feb.23.201502:16

There's an explanation for that one, too. His rep told People, the gesture "was rehearsed in total."

Perhaps the scripted moment was just a set up for host Neil Patrick Harris' show-ending joke.

"Travolta will be back again next year," Harris said, "to apologize to Idina for all the face touching."

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