Robert Pattinson is one of the most famous and influential celebrities in the world. The British singer and actor has been in the limelight for decades, starring in massive Hollywood blockbusters such as Twilight and Gone with the Wind. But since his career in front of the camera, Pattinson’s life hasn’t been entirely smooth sailing.
The 54-year-old is currently secluded in an area near Venice, California, having recently finished filming on the action thriller Blood Stone. He hasn’t given any interviews in months, and for the most part, he doesn’t appear to be in a hurry to start talking again. His current status is somewhat of a mystery to those who know him, and while it’s unlikely that he’ll ever be completely open about the matter, he did offer up some details about the inner workings of his mind in a recent interview with Vanity Fair.
Why Does Pattinson Keep So Much To Himself?
As previously mentioned, Robert Pattinson is one of the most prominent celebrities in the world. His unique blend of good looks and intelligence has earned him the adoration of millions of fans worldwide. But what exactly is behind this enigmatic star’s decision to keep so much to himself?
Well, it seems that Rob is trying to do everything he can to avoid attracting tabloid attention. Not that he needs to be too careful, as it seems that the entire world already knows everything about him. But the fact remains that he doesn’t seem to want to make his life any more public than necessary.
In the aforementioned interview with Vanity Fair, Pattinson opens up about his reasons for keeping things under wraps. “I’ve always kept myself private, and I think that probably because I’ve felt like there was this element of me that didn’t belong anywhere,” the British actor/singer/dancer/writer/director admits. “It wasn’t in any one place. It was like having a big messy room in your head that you never really clean, that is filled with all these different things that you don’t want to forget but also don’t want to talk about… That’s how I felt. It wasn’t anything that I wanted to rush into; I just always felt that way.”
But even at this early stage of his seclusion, Rob isn’t completely done talking. He continues, “I’m not going to apologize for who I am. I’m not going to change who I am. I don’t regret any of it. One of the things I’ve learned is to embrace the fact that I can be anyone I want to be. So if that means being a hermit, then be a hermit. I’m not going to apologize for it. You can think what you want. That’s how I feel.”
While Rob has always preferred to keep a low profile, he has now taken this desire to an extreme. His decision to step back from public life is a reflection of a deeper, personal pain that he is trying to work through. And although he may not come out and say it, it seems that his desire to be left alone is at least partially inspired by his complicated, heartbreaking history with his parents.
Pattinson’s Parents: An Unresolved Drama
On the surface, Rob’s parents, Donald and Elizabeth, seem like the ideal parents, loving grandparents, and adoring aunts and uncles. But appearances can be deceiving. Behind closed doors, the pair’s explosive temperaments frequently got the better of them, resulting in countless arguments and bitter, drawn-out fights. The constant drama and tension that surrounded the family was undoubtedly one of the contributing factors to Rob’s desire to escape.
When the young man was just 11 years old, for example, he witnessed his father, Donald, throwing a fit after his mother, Elizabeth, put him down for something. As a result of the severe humiliation and emotional pain that came with being the object of his father’s rage, Rob began suppressing his feelings and staying away from home as much as possible. He eventually had to be brought up by his grandparents – the love of his life, Donald and Elizabeth – due to his mother’s ongoing drug addiction. They cared for him until he was able to move out at age 18 and live on his own. It’s no wonder that, as a kid, Rob craved the protection and security of being inside a big house with lots of people around.
In many ways, Rob’s childhood was defined by separation and loss. He was a child of divorce who saw his parents separate several times during his formative years. On top of that, both his mother and father passed away before he turned 20. Despite the tragic events of his youth, Rob managed to work through his grief and establish a close bond with his grandfather, Donald, who eventually became a father figure and mentor to the young musician.
Many of the things that Rob craves in life can be traced back to these formative years. He loves being alone, and although he claims to enjoy the company of others, his desire to be left alone is arguably his greatest desire. He craves peace and privacy, and will do just about anything to protect his “secret room” – the room inside his head that he doesn’t want to talk about. Even now, he doesn’t seem to want to share many details about his personal life with those closest to him.
In light of all this, the question becomes: Is Robert Pattinson’s anger a product of his tumultuous upbringing? It’s certainly a contributing factor. But it’s important to remember that not all wealthy, famous, and/or attractive people are jerks, liars, and/or bullies. Some of them have very valid reasons for keeping certain aspects of their lives private. For example, many artists and creators cherish their work and enjoy the benefits of being able to express themselves creatively without the fear of being ridiculed or accused of being “too” creative.
So, although Pattinson’s anger is a result of his upbringings, it doesn’t necessarily define him. Personality disorders are nothing new, and they aren’t exclusive to celebrities. However, it seems that the pressures of fame have only made this particular case more complicated. We’ll never know what would have happened if Rob had been differentially socialized. Maybe he would have developed the confidence to ignore all the naysayers and be himself. We’ll never know.
Where Does Pattinson’s Anger Come From?
Let’s examine some of the possible causes of Robert Pattinson’s anger. First, there’s his father, Donald. The outspoken and highly opinionated man was no stranger to controversy, embroiled in numerous family and domestic disputes throughout his life. One of the most significant arguments that Donald faced was in relation to drug addiction and alcoholism. His daughter, Elizabeth, suffered from the disease as well, and it’s been rumored that she too struggled with substance abuse. Although no one is sure whether or not this was a factor, it’s certainly a dark cloud that hangs over the family.
It wasn’t just Donald’s relationship with alcohol and drugs that caused friction with his family. One of the other major sources of Robert’s turmoil is his relationship with women. The famous movie star is well known for his dalliances with the ladies, dating back to his teen years when he starred in the drama series, “Dangerous Beings” (1987-1989). After starring in a string of successful movies, Rob found himself pursued by women with plenty of Hollywood offers. But he had bigger ambitions, and after collaborating with one of the biggest music producers in the world at the time on his debut album, he chose to pursue a solo career, with his band, The Twilight Sad. The group released their self-titled debut album in 2007, which reached the top 10 in the U.K., and continued to gain popularity with each subsequent release. Although he remained professional, the singer/songwriter began to feel stifled by the attention and demands of his fans. So he took a break from music, feeling that it wasn’t serving him well anymore.
In many ways, Rob’s desire to be left alone is a direct result of his anger. He has said in the past that he doesn’t believe in attachments, but he also craves intimacy. On the flip side, he claims to enjoy being alone, and although he asserts that he enjoys the company of others, he would do anything to protect his “secret room.” For now, he’s happy to keep it a secret.