Lately, there’s been a lot of talk about Robert Pattinson. Since breaking up with his long-term girlfriend, Kristen Stewart, in October 2017, he’s been linked to more glamorous companions. And after a rocky patch in the Hollywood dating scene, the question on everyone’s lips is: Is Rob still Mr. Cool?

In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Pattinson opened up about the fear and shame he’s been trying to overcome ever since he was a teenager. He talked about the bullying he suffered, the drug abuse that nearly destroyed his life, and how he’s found success in his current relationship with fellow Hollywood starlet, Bella Hathaway.

Here, we’ll explore how Pattinson has dealt with his fear and shame to reach the top of his field and what his future holds. We’ll also touch on how KStew’s recent breakup has impacted his life and career.

From Bulimic to Movie Star

At the age of 14, Pattinson was already making waves in the acting world. He landed his first role as a series regular in the British TV comedy series, ‘’The Wrong Knee’’. He went on to star in the 2014 film adaptation of the Neil Gaiman novel, ‘’The Sandman’’, and won praise for his portrayal of the titular character. This landed him a string of lead roles including the biopic ‘’The Lost Boys”, the blockbuster ‘’Water For Elephants”, and the independent drama, ‘’Good Morning Vietnam’’.

Pattinson was born and raised in London, England. He grew up in a suburb called Shepperton and attended Shepperton School. While some may know him for his dark hair and blue eyes, Pattinson has always been a classically beautiful man. In fact, he’s often spoken about the anxiety he deals with because of his good looks. In 2017, he told Vogue that his “overwhelming desire” was to “keep [his] head high and not let [himself] be shamed by [his] looks.”

Fear Of Being Different

“I suffered a lot when I was younger from not feeling like I belonged somewhere,” he said in the Vanity Fair interview, adding that he felt “very uncomfortable” in his own skin. He said this was because he wasn’t “brave enough” to be different. In an attempt to change this, Pattinson taught himself to “embrace the weird.” So, when he found himself paired off with Hathaway in 2019, the public were quick to point out their physical differences. She is three inches taller than he is and a size 11 shoe. However, he says these are things he embraces and rather than letting them define him, he uses them as tools to help him be better at what he does.

Pattinson told Vogue in 2017 that he was “surprised by the attention” his good looks commanded, but that this had never been a concern. “I’ve never been scared of my looks,” he said. “I’ve always kind of felt like, ‘What can I do with my looks?’ I never really thought about them.”

Pattinson says his confidence comes from two places: his family and the movies. His mother, Linda, is a retired school teacher who supported and encouraged him throughout his career. His father, Charles, was a graphic designer and art director who passed away in 2010 from cancer. His uncle, Hugh, is also a well-known photographer.

Shame Overcoming

While being compared to a car crash is usually a bad idea, Pattinson says he feels “genuinely grateful” to Vanity Fair for giving his life “a much-needed sense of perspective.” He says he’s been able to work through his shame as part of a new wave of awareness around mental health issues. In an attempt to destigmatize mental illness, he pointed out that there’s a difference between “having a bad day” and “having a mental breakdown.”

“People with mental health issues should not be ashamed to talk about [themselves] or be avoided. It should be okay to say you need help,” he said. “I love being an advocate for [mental health] because I feel like it can be a really empowering thing to fight for your rights and be able to get the help that you need.”

While some may be able to overcome their fear and shame, Pattinson admits that there will always be a part of him that suffers in silence. “I’ve tried my best to get to a place where I don’t have the fear and shame,” he said. “I think what helps is just by being my self and being true to who I am.” He says this attitude makes him a more effective actor, helping him bring an authentic performance to the screen each and every time.

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