Scarlett Johansson playfully urged viewers to contribute to a GoFundMe campaign for the Staten Island Ferry, jokingly implying financial distress caused by her husband Colin Jost’s purchase of the decommissioned vessel. During a lighthearted exchange on Today with Jenna & Friends, Johansson suggested the ferry be sold for scrap metal, prompting Jost to defend his investment. He humorously assured viewers that the ferry would eventually generate significant profits, envisioning a future filled with “paper cuts from all the checks.” He jokingly added that the ferry would finally “put food on our table.”
Jost, a Staten Island native, purchased the John F. Kennedy ferry with comedian Pete Davidson and Paul Italia, owner of The Stand comedy club. While admitting the purchase might not have been his most prudent decision, Jost rationalized the investment by comparing the square footage cost to that of a building in New York City. He explained that for the price paid, they essentially acquired a 65,000 square foot building “on its side.”
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During New York Fashion Week, held aboard the ferry, Jost confided to PEOPLE that the purchase was “absolutely the dumbest and least thought-through” of his life. However, he maintained a positive outlook, believing in the ferry’s potential.
Johansson’s playful ribbing continued on Live with Kelly and Mark, where she humorously referred to the ferry purchase as Jost’s “naughty side.” She confirmed the ferry remained decommissioned, highlighting the ongoing humorous dilemma surrounding the investment.
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Johansson’s guest co-hosting stint on Today followed the departure of Hoda Kotb and included a lineup of other notable celebrities. Jenna Bush Hager expressed her excitement about Johansson joining the show, praising her as “the queen” and highlighting their shared love of reading. Bush Hager also referenced Johansson’s iconic role in The Girl with a Pearl Earring. The lighthearted banter surrounding the Staten Island Ferry purchase provides a humorous glimpse into the lives of Jost and Johansson, adding to the ongoing narrative of their celebrity relationship.
