Ever since the success of the “Twilight” movies, it seems like every celebrity’s lips are curled into a perfect curl when they’re seen on the street. But just like any other trendy new fad, the cigarette phenomenon didn’t just appear out of nowhere. As it turns out, not even Hollywood’s biggest stars were immune to the craze.
Robert Pattinson
It was revealed last month that actor Robert Pattinson, who plays the role of Edward Cullen in the “Twilight” movies, is a self-proclaimed “occasional” cigarette smoker. In an interview with Australia’s ‘The Age’, Pattinson admitted that he enjoyed a “bust of a cigarette” now and then, and even went so far as to compare the experience to drinking a “small bottle of wine”.
“Sometimes I’ll have a cigarette when I go out for a walk. It’s not something I do often, maybe once or twice a month. It’s more like a stress reliever than anything. The smell of it, the feeling of it in your mouth, the warmth when you breathe in… it’s an enjoyable thing. It’ll make you feel a little less nervous or anxious before a big event. Like social gatherings or going to the movies,” he said.
Is smoking really a “bust” though? It seems like Pattinson wasn’t too fond of the habit, considering that he quit several years ago and even went so far as to say that he’s “embarrassed” by his own admission. Still, it seems like a majority of his “Twilight” co-stars also happen to be regular cigarette smokers. Actress Kristen Stewart even went so far as to claim that she’s “addicted” to the habit and that it’s “just a phase”.
Based on the responses that Pattinson gave to The Age, it’s apparent that he’s not the only celebrity that was influenced by the “Twilight” phenomenon and its portrayal of a “cure” for anxiety. Even our own president is a huge fan of the movies, and it wasn’t just a “Twilight” moment that had him trying out the habit. In 2010, Barack Obama reportedly got a laugh out of a joke about cigarettes during a speech in India. “I have to break the habit of laughing on airplanes,” Obama told the story, before adding that he still enjoys a “Camel” brand when he’s back in the U.S. He also tweeted that he “loves” the smell of Marlboro Lights and compared it to wine.
What is the appeal of cigarettes for celebrities and the public at large? Is it just a fad that will inevitably die out, or do people really enjoy the taste of tobacco and the feeling of having a relaxing moment? While we may never truly know the reasons why so many people enjoy smoking, it’s clear that the “Twilight” movies and the celebrity craze that followed have not died out. In fact, they seem to be influencing future generations, with celebrities sometimes even admitting to being a product of the Hollywood trend.
Eminem
Rapper Eminem has made a career out of being “conscious” of his surroundings and engaging with his audience. Many of his songs are about the troubles that he experiences in his personal life, as well as the controversial subjects that people choose to address in today’s society. It is perhaps for this reason that he has been able to connect with so many people throughout the years, encouraging them to follow their own beliefs and to be proud of who they are.
Even before his music career took off, he was known to be a regular cigarette smoker. In fact, many of his songs are about the habit, with “Stan”, for example, dedicated to “all [his] crackhead friends” who are “addicted to the cheap shit”. In “Lose Yourself,” he raps, “It’s all about the mills and the habit, how much you can accumulate before you die”. In reality, however, most people who use drugs are not “crackheads”. They’re usually referred to as opiate addicts or chemically dependent.
During an appearance on Chelsea Lately in 2017, Eminem was asked about his thoughts on cigarette smoking being considered “cool” again. At first, he seemed to think that it was a passing phase that would eventually be recognized for the harmful effects that it has on people’s health. But when Lately brought up research that suggested the exact opposite, he had to admit that he had been wrong. Contrary to popular belief, studies have shown that there is no such thing as a “harmless” cigarette and that even secondhand smoke can do serious damage to your health. In response, Eminem tweeted that he was “saddened” to learn about the dangers of cigarettes and compared it to learning about “the Holocaust”. He went on to say that he had been a “bigger fan” of the Holocaust than he was of cigarettes.
Madonna
Like a lot of other celebrities, Madonna has been seen outside of her “Twilight” movies almost as often as she has been seen in them. Since launching her own clothing line in 2006, Madonna has been accused of “co-opting” the styles of other designers and using them to her advantage. In an interview with ‘The Hollywood Reporter’, Madonna denied this, saying that she “never” steals clothing ideas and that the criticism was simply because people didn’t understand her.
Madonna has always been proud of her “vintage” style and has frequently been seen in extravagant dresses and even swimsuits. It wasn’t until recently, however, that the 70-year-old pop superstar was seen regularly wearing clothing from another era. In 2016, she debuted her collection of “Madame X” inspired by the Duchess of Windsor, and in the years since, she’s become a regular fixture at designers’ shows, regularly wearing their pieces.
When asked about her fashion choices during an appearance on ‘Good Morning America’, Madonna said that she usually only wears what she has the confidence in. “I don’t want to look dumb in front of my friends,” she said, adding that she doesn’t want to feel like she’s “inappropriate” or “out of place” because of her age. “I want to look great, regardless of what age I am.”
Kanye West
In the same vein as Eminem, Kanye West has made a career out of being “conscious” of his surroundings and engaging with his audience. Like a lot of his music, his fashion choices are characterized by a combination of contradictions. While he is rarely seen in person without his entourage of “YeClaires” surrounding him, Kanye usually chooses to go au naturele and opts for the plain white tee and khaki cargo pants. When he does wear something out of the ordinary, as he did with his infamous “dad jeans”, it usually draws even more attention to himself.
Kanye has been known to have a “thing” for Louis Vuitton’s handbags and has frequently been seen carrying a clutch in one hand and a briefcase in the other. He has also been known to wear a watch designed by the luxury goods brand. During an appearance on ‘Good Morning America’, he was asked what type of items he would never, ever wear. “Cigarettes are pretty much at the top of the list,” Kanye said. “I don’t even like the smell of them.” While Kanye may not be a fan of cigarettes, he certainly knows how to flash his wealth. He is, after all, a self-made billionaire who amassed his wealth through the sale of his own fashion brand, Yeezy, which began in 2006. In 2016, Forbes estimated his net worth at $4.8 billion; he’s now ranked number 171 on the Forbes’ Rich List.