Kevin Jonas addresses viral Jimmy Fallon handshake snub: 'We're awkward guys'

The JoBro doesn't hold a grudge against the late-night host for leaving him hanging.

When the Jonas Brothers appeared on The Tonight Show in 2023, many viewers thought Jimmy Fallon played Kevin Jonas for a sucker by not shaking his hand. But it turns out the host is only human — and the whole thing was a misunderstanding.

Stopping by the late-night program Thursday to promote the new season of Claim to Fame, Jonas watched the near-miss handshake with Fallon that led to the viral moment last year. A quick refresher:

Jimmy Fallon leaves Kevin Jonas hanging on 'The Tonight Show'.

NBC

"The best part of that thing is, I'm like over here doing all this," the musician joked, standing up and replicating his dance moves. "So excited to be here again… [and then] disappointment."

But the eldest Jonas brother isn't one to hold a grudge. "It happens," he noted cheerfully. "We're awkward guys. We got lucky. We shouldn't be doing this!" Still, Fallon insisted on showing the rest of the clip, which reveals that Jonas did finally get his sought-after handshake and bro-hug.

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Kevin Jonas gets a hug from Jimmy Fallon on 'The Tonight Show'
Kevin Jonas gets a hug from Jimmy Fallon on 'The Tonight Show'.

NBC

"I would never leave a Jonas brother hanging!" Fallon bellowed.

"It happens to the best of us," Jonas replied. "Me more than most." (Watch the full exchange below.)

Jonas also shared some thoughts on the new season of Claim to Fame, which he cohosts with his brother Franklin. "People this season came to play," he said of the reality competition, which features contestants with celebrity relatives trying to uncover each other's identities. "They [understand] that you need to hide who you are. They came with whole new personalities, and full, like, accents!"

Though the Claim to Fame producers could easily slip the hosts spoilers, Jonas told Fallon that he and his sibling cohost insist on being kept in the dark about everyone's celebrity relatives: "We just want to play the game as hard as they do."

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