The Robert Pattinson meme has been around since before Robert Pattinson was even in the news. The actor has been in a few high-profile relationships—most notably, with Twilight stars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner—and the meme creators’ knack for finding photos of the actor has only helped perpetuate the joke. For those looking for a laugh, the jokes are endless. Did someone write a novel with the working title The Rise and Fall of Robert Pattinson? Can you imagine all the drama that went into the making of Water for Elephants? Would it suck to be Taylor Lautner when Justin Bieber’s legions of fans decide they want to take a shot at making his girlfriend?
The meme even made a splash in the mainstream media when Elle magazine featured an entire spread on Taylor Lautner and Robert Pattinson. The joke then traveled viral and was repurposed by journalists and bloggers all over the world. Whether you love the Twilight or House of Gucci series, you’re bound to chuckle at least once while reading about this awkward celebrity couple. And that’s how a joke can stay funny for so long. In an ironic twist, it’s Taylor Lautner who is currently in the news while promoting his new book. Guess the jokes really are on everyone now!
The Meme’s Roots
The roots of the Robert Pattinson meme actually go back years, long before the actor ever graced the big screen. In 2011, the meme saw a resurgence thanks to a YouTuber named iClarified, who uploaded a video chronicling the actor’s many on-camera mishaps. In the video, the comedian points out a number of embarrassing moments for the star, from falling on-camera while performing oral sex to flashing fans at award shows. The viral video amassed more than a million views in just under a week and inspired many a meme.
The most popular of these was a Photoshopped image of Robert Pattinson falling over a Times Square billboard. The image was based on a photo from 2011 that showed the actor tumbling over a billboard in Times Square. The photo went viral and was shared thousands of times across the internet. It was during this time that the meme really started taking off, and in 2012, it was reported that the image was used more than 7,500 times on social media sites like Twitter.
Since then, the photoshopped image has been used to portray myriad situations, from the actor’s acting chops to his fashion faux pas. Another popular meme shows a photoshopped image of the actor behind the wheel of a car with the warning: DRUNK DRIVING IS ILLEGAL. This particular meme was inspired by an event that occurred back in 2012 when a Twitter user posted a picture of Robert Pattinson driving while holding a can of beer. The photo went viral and was shared thousands of times on the microblogging site before the actor, who has a reputation for being a bit of a drinker, responded by threatening to kick viral meme fame in the balls.
Romantic Partners
While Robert Pattinson may have found fame in blockbuster movies, it is his off-screen relationships that have truly made him a household name. The actor has been in a few long-term romantic relationships, most notably with Twilight stars Kristen Stewart and Taylor Lautner. Unfortunately, these are also the same stars who have gotten him into some major trouble. Most recently, while on the set of the new Twilight movie Breaking Dawn, filming was halted due to the couple’s tempestuous on-screen romance. As fans of the Twilight series know, Breaking Dawn is the final installment in the trilogy, and it was originally slated for a December 2012 release date.
While the romance between Stewart and Lautner was certainly a contributing factor to the delay, the fact that the two are both busy actors and brand ambassadors makes this latest delay somewhat understandable. Stewart, for instance, has numerous movie projects slated for release in 2013, and Lautner will be filming a major new series, House of Gucci, soon. When asked about the holdup, a representative for Twilightspy noted that the film’s production was “delayed due to the extensive amount of post-production that occurred on-set as a result of the complex nature of the film.” So, in other words, a little chemistry caught on camera caused an entire movie to get postponed.
The Latest News
If you’re reading this, you’re probably already aware that the most recent news surrounding the Twilight couple comes from the oft-inappropriate realm of tabloid journalism. Just a few weeks ago, news broke that the 56th Annual Golden Globe Awards would be hosting a special tribute to the late author Stephenie Meyer. In recognition of her brilliant and unique contributions to literature, the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) will be paying homage to her life and work with a Golden Globe Awards ceremony that will honor her as a Literary Goddess.
Prior to this year’s Golden Globes, the HFPA did not traditionally award movie or television adaptations of books. However, in light of Meyer’s groundbreaking work, the HFPA made an exception and named the adapted version of her best-selling Twilight series the Best International Film—an award that was presented to the film’s director, Andrew Sterland, at the ceremony.
The Hollywood magazine Variety reports that the 2013 Golden Globes will likely end up being the “biggest and most elaborate presentation of all time.” With over 120 awards to be given out, the HFPA has outdone themselves. The magazine further reports that the ceremony will feature a performance by Adele, and tickets to the event, which is scheduled to run from 7:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m., are still available. If you’re in Los Angeles at the time of the event, be sure to stop by and witness this literary event in person.
A Timeline Of Memes
Now, let’s fast-forward to present day and the numerous ways in which the meme continues to mock and critique the actor. Here’s a short timeline of memorable moments in the history of the awkward Robert Pattinson meme.