As of late Summer 2017, Hollywood royalty Megan Fox and Robert Pattinson have gone their separate ways. While the actress has maintained a relatively low profile since her split from the Twilight star in 2014, the London-based fashion photographer has been keeping a steady hand on the wheel. Now that their marriage has ended, the pair are free to be single once again.
Their romance was one of Hollywood’s most surprising breakouts, and it famously lasted just 72 days. Since then, Fox has been linked to an array of well-known faces, from Johnny Depp to Charlie Hunnam, while Pattinson went on to marry Kristen Stewart in March 2018.
A Breakthrough Performance
Megan Fox’s performance in the 2009 film Bridesmaids was nothing short of miraculous. It was her feature film debut and she wasn’t even 25 years old at the time. Directed by Paul Feig, the film featured an ensemble cast of funnywomen, including Kristen Wiig, Rosemarie DeWitt, and Cheryl Hines. The film is considered one of the best of the 2009 Sundance Film Festival, and it was named the best comedy of the year by Entertainment Weekly.
The following year, Fox landed a lead role in the comedy/drama/musical The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants, opposite Alicia Vikander. The film follows three best friends who reunite after years apart to solve a mystery surrounding their former college roommate, Laura. Fox plays Laura, the group’s resident detective, while Zachary Quinto and George Clooney co-star as the sleuths. The film premiered at the 66th Berlin International Film Festival in 2018 and was later named one of the Best Films of the year by The New York Times.
A Year of Firsts
Upon hearing that Megan Fox was set to marry her long-time boyfriend, the Twilight star Robert Pattinson, many people predicted that 2019 would be her year. Pattinson popped the question during a romantic vacation to Ibiza in 2018, and the pair went on to exchange vows in a romantic ceremony in France. The following year was full of firsts for the actress. Not only did she marry the British actor, but she became a mother for the first time as well. On April 3rd, 2020, Fox gave birth to a bouncing baby boy. They named him Hank.
While the former lovers were quick to share images of their newborn son on their social media accounts, they have kept a relatively low profile since their marriage. The couple has been spotted at various charity events and award ceremonies, but aside from a few red-carpet appearances, they have kept a low profile.
A Change in Lifestyles
In the years since her split from Robert Pattinson, Megan Fox has changed many of her social media habits. As of late Summer 2017, she has shifted her focus to family, friends, and fans on her personal Instagram account. She regularly shares heartfelt posts about fatherhood and family, as well as plenty of images of her son Hank. At the same time, she has also kept her focus on fashion and style, frequently sharing outfits and styling tips on her account. In the past, Fox often shared polaroid pictures of herself on her Instagram account, but she has since shifted to digital art. This year, she is on track to shatter records, posting nearly daily on her account.
Why Was Their Romance So Surprising?
Although the media circus that was created when it was announced that Megan Fox and Robert Pattinson were an item swarmed over Hollywood, the surprise celebrity couple actually had been friends for a long time. In fact, back in 2011, they were one of the few celebrity couples to survive the London riots. In 1989, while both were students at the prestigious Brown University, they were spotted leaving a party together. Two years later, they were seen shopping for wedding gifts. While the world was busy guessing whether or not these two would get married, they were actually good friends who just happened to become romantically involved.
The surprise factor comes from two directions. First, we have the fact that the two were never particularly private when it came to their personal lives. The former lovers have always been upfront about their feelings for one another and it wasn’t until 2014 that they decided to put a stop to the media speculation and went public with their romance. Second, the timing was incredibly awkward. Rumors about the couple being an item swarmed the media in early 2017 and they were eventually confronted with their romance during an appearance on the Today show. Fox gave an interview to New York Magazine in which she discussed the turmoil that their relationship caused in her personal life. “It was really difficult,” she said. “I was still in the beginning stages of motherhood and when you’re a mom, your life changes. You know, you have this child who needs you and you don’t have as much time for yourself.”
It’s fair to say that over the last two years, Hollywood has experienced a bit of a love revival. The so-called “new old” couple is certainly a topic of conversation, but it’s not only about romance. In the year 2020 alone, fans have set up numerous hashtags and forums to discuss the on- and off-screen chemistry between Megan Fox and Robert Pattinson. While the two are eager to promote their partnership and happy to engage with their fans, they have kept a low profile since their split, probably taking the time to lick their wounds and work on their personal relationships. As of now, Fox is focused on raising her family and establishing herself as a bonafide Hollywood superstar. While they may be over, the red-carpet speculation hasn’t vanished and neither has their charm. Perhaps, someday, we’ll see the happy couple back on the big screen, or at the very least, we’ll see them in pictures together one last time.