In the last year, the ‘twigs and roses’ couple have been inseparable. Whether hanging out at home or travelling the world together, Robert and FKA have prioritised their romantic relationship over professional partnerships. But as their time apart draws to an end, it’s time to reflect on how their relationship has evolved over the past year.
New York, London And Paris
From the very beginning, Robert and FKA’s relationship was inextricably linked to their music careers. After meeting at a birthday party in London in the summer of 2018, the couple relocated to New York City where they quickly became inseparable. One of the first images we were exposed to of the pair was of them cuddling on the couch while watching an episode of Believe on Netflix. Their first joint interview came just a few months later, as they sat down with Elle magazine in Paris.
The French publication premiered the pair’s Believe movie, which was followed soon after by their first collaborative album, Kiss (their first album as a couple). Since then, we’ve watched as they’ve supported each other’s careers, fronting campaigns for one another and making numerous personal sacrifices for the other. They’ve spent almost all their waking hours together, and it’s been a truly unique relationship to witness.
The Evolution Of Their Bond
From their Believe premiere in Paris to their Netflix special last December, their relationship has been front and centre. We’ve seen them grow together as a couple, experimenting with new hobbies and interests and enjoying the little luxuries in life. Most notably, we saw in the Netflix special how their relationship has evolved from strength to strength. In the words of Pattinson, “This year, we grew together as a couple and as a family. We had to learn so much about each other and our feelings, and I think that’s made us even stronger.”
Even before the Believe premiere, fans knew that this was a special relationship. In the winter of 2017, a special edition of Vogue titled R.Pattinson was released, celebrating the musician as “a trailblazer for millennial romantics” and an “ambassador of love”. That same year, Vanity Fair named him one of the “Top 100 Most Influential People on the Internet”, noting that “[t]he internet’s reigning romantic icon might just be Robert Pattinson.”
In the months leading up to the premier of Believe, we were treated to a never-ending stream of stories detailing the couple’s blossoming romance. The New York Times called them “engaged in an epic romance” and Elle magazine has described their relationship as “epic” and “legendary”.
Evolving As Individuals
The year 2018 also saw the break-up of Robert’s six-year relationship with actress Bella Heathcote. A new love interest was soon to come, however, when he began dating fashion PR Manager Camila Mendes. As for FKA, she went on to star in the Broadway play A Doll’s House, Part 2, followed by Camila and Solemates’ viral dance routine to Taylor Swift’s “Shake it Off”. She also released a single, “Liar’, which reached Number One on the Billboard Top 100. It was subsequently certified platinum in the US and Australia.
The Downsizing Of Their Fights
In their early days together, the couple regularly engaged in bickering matches. In fact, their first Kiss concert was almost called off after a row. “We had a massive fight before the show,” FKA told Vogue. “I don’t think any of us had ever fought like that before. It was one of the most horrible days.”
The spats didn’t last long, though. The day after their Believe premiere, they held hands as they posed for a picture sitting on a couch with a smile on their faces. Since then, they’ve largely kept their quarrels behind closed doors. As for Robert, he told Vogue, “[w]e both put so much trust in each other, and that’s what makes it easier to have these arguments. We can both be really stubborn, so we end up really arguing, and then we come back and say, ‘I love you, and we’ll work it out.’”
In the past year, we’ve seen a softer side to the couple. As they adjusted to life in New York City and learned to trust each other more, they began to show more of their affection. This was particularly visible in their Christmas and Halloween photoshoots for Vogue, where they broke out of character to show us their genuine affection. In their Vogue photoshoot, Robert even confessed, “I’m more of a cuddler. I want to be in bed with you all the time.” Fans have also noticed the difference in their chemistry. On Twitter, ‘twigs and roses’ fans pointed out how the pair seemed effortless and natural at promoting each other’s work, with some going so far as to say that they’ve “grown into a public relations partnership”.
The Inspiration Behind Their Collaborations
The year began with an unexpected delight when the BBC chose to premiere the trailer for their Believe movie first, ahead of its theatrical release in December. The trailer evoked a time when TV was a place you went to escape from the pressures of the day-to-day, and a place where you could indulge in entertainment. It featured a range of scenes — from Pattinson holding hands with FKA as they watched a sunset to them wandering through a snowy forest with their dog, Dexter—that hinted at the coming attractions. The promo was an ode to the romantic comedy genre, which the BBC suite shows they both adore.
It wasn’t long before they were back in Paris for the FKA Twigs Worldwide Acoustic Tour 2018. While there, they revealed that the inspiration for their latest album R PATTINSON was a combination of heartbreak and hope. Speaking to Vogue, Robert said, “I wrote ‘R PATTINSON’ after a really messy break-up. It was dark and stormy, and I needed something to take my mind off the pain.” FKA added, “I think that as our relationship evolved, it made us stronger, as a duo. We were able to support each other through this tough time, and I think that’s what the song is about.”
The album’s lead single, “Bad Baby”, is one of their softer tunes. The song examines the end of a romance, with the lyrics “I’ve been lying, thinking I can still make you change your mind/But it’s too late, now you’re with someone new”. On the subject of songwriting, FKA told Vogue, “I’m such a strong, independent woman, and I’m not afraid to say what I think, which is great when you’re creating music. But in real life, I know I have to be careful not to upset or hurt him.” Fans can also look forward to R PATTINSON further collaborations with artists including M83, Sia and The Weeknd. The album will be released on September 13th, with early editions available to pre-order now.