Robert Pattinson is undeniably one of the most famous faces in the world right now. Since his breakthrough performance in the 2012 film The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, the Scottish actor has starred in several successful movies, become a style icon, and landed solo spots on the New York Times and Vogue bestseller lists.
Pattinson currently has a string of movies set for release in the coming years, including the World War II action film Dunkirk, but before we dive into those, let’s briefly discuss his off-screen adventures from the past few years.
The Ups and Downs of a Multi-Million-Dollar Career
Pattinson’s breakthrough year was 2012. That year he starred in The Twilight Saga: Eclipse, Burton Wessely’s The American Maid, and Luc Besson’s The London Villette. All three of these movies were blockbusters, making over a combined $1.1 billion at the box office. Since then, he has appeared in several other major box office hits, including Eclipse reiteration Once and Twilight movies Breaking Darkness, and Sultan. These films have made a combined $5.9 billion at the box office.
Pattinson’s biggest success to date came in 2017 with Damsels in Distress, a romantic comedy in which he plays a millionaire who helps three damsels in distress find true love. The film was a runaway success, earning over $600 million worldwide and becoming one of the highest-grossing independent films ever made. In 2018, he appeared in Goodbye Game and Alien: Covenant, which were both box office successes.
Despite his multi-million-dollar earnings, Pattinson has had to struggle with his career in the spotlight. In 2016, he was criticized for his choice of wardrobe in a Time Magazine article, and in 2017 he was involved in a highly publicized cheating scandal. Let’s take a look at some of the highlights from his film career and the struggles he has faced along the way.
From MTV Cribs To Dior And Chanel
In 2008, MTV cribbed Pattinson as one of the most influential celebs of the next decade, citing his unique combination of fashion and pop culture. That same year, GQ named him the Sexiest Male Celebrity and Fashion Icons of the Next Decade. He has also been the face of several major fashion houses and their limited edition products, most notably Dior. In 2017, he collaborated with Chanel on a multi-million-dollar project to release a limited-edition handbag collection in his image.
Style Icon
Pattinson has graced the covers of ELLE Magazine, Vogue, GQ, and Time Magazine, among others, and been named the Sexiest Male Celebrity and Fashion Icons of the Next Decade. He has also been profiled in Vogue Germany on their cover (below), which called him “the heartthrob of millennials” because of his charm, sophistication, and celebrity.
Pattinson often collaborates with stylists to create high-fashion looks, so it should come as no surprise that his style has evolved alongside his films. In 2015, he sported a Dior branded grilled cheese sandwich on the set of The Twilight Saga: Eclipse.
Solo Spots On The New York Times and Vogue
As we mentioned, all three of Pattinson’s biggest hits of 2012 were blockbusters, but it wasn’t just his acting that earned him his status as a style icon. Despite Twilight’s viral popularity, Pattinson always downplayed the impact of his fame, telling Vogue that “It’s not a role that I take on; it’s a job. It’s just work.”
Nevertheless, the stars align and Pattinson’s solo spots appear on the New York Times bestseller list, proving that his style influence transcends film. The actor’s fashion choices have made him one of the most trusted guides for stylish fans and fashion insiders alike. As a result, Pattinson has been nominated for Best Dressed at the ELLE Awards (once), GQ Men of the Year (twice), Fashion Icons of the Next Decade (twice), and the Style Sofa (twice). He was also featured on Vogue Germany’s 50 Most Chic men and women list (below).
Criticism From The Hollywood Set
Pattinson has also found fault in the Hollywood set. He was, in fact, criticized for not fitting the role of a Scottish gentleman as promoted in the 2009 movie London Villette. The criticism came from the film’s director, Luc Besson, who told Vogue that “I had a problem with the casting. I think Robert is an extraordinary actor, but I didn’t think he was right for the role. It needed to be played by someone more classic in my opinion.”
Pattinson, who was already on the set of London Villette, found the criticism difficult to process. “I wasn’t sure what Luc meant,” he said. “I loved the script and I thought it was perfect for me. Before Eclipse, I hadn’t really experienced any kind of racism in movies before. Not so much in the UK movies I hadn’t seen, but in Europe, they are very passionate about their race and nationality. So, I mean, it’s not like it’s a surprise when people write you off as not being a fit for the role.”
Pattinson’s Cheating Scandal
Pattinson also found himself at the center of a cheating scandal in 2017. That year he was featured on several of the most watched news shows, including E! and Vogue, after a five-year relationship with the actress Fay Waste ended in scandal. The scandal was fueled by photographs that accused Pattinson of cheating with multiple women, including Waste. The revelation of the photographs crippled his public image.
On E! Entertainment, an interview with the pregnant actress Waste claimed that Pattinson is “a really great guy who just happens to be a really great sex toy. He is very open about his sexuality and doesn’t try to hide it in any way.” The British Hollywood reporter Gemma Gould opined that Waste’s allegations “won’t come as a surprise to anyone who followed Pattinson’s saga.”