The Creepy John Travolta meme stems from a widely publicized red carpet moment at the 2015 Academy Awards. Actor John Travolta was photographed leaning in to kiss Scarlett Johansson, whose visibly stiff and uncomfortable reaction immediately caught the internet's attention. While the two actors later clarified it was a friendly encounter, the image became a symbolic representation of unwanted proximity and social awkwardness. It is distinct from the Confused Travolta GIF from Pulp Fiction, instead focusing on the 'hovering' nature of the interaction. Users typically apply this template to situations involving overbearing parents, aggressive sales tactics, or any scenario where someone is invading another person's personal bubble.