While we were all obsessing over the new “Twilight” trailer, a more interesting story was playing out behind the scenes.
Robert Pattinson and the “PewDiePie” YouTube star have a history that goes back years. The actor has had numerous relationships with women, and has even gotten engaged, but has never officially married. He’s known to be a free thinker, and loves to keep his options open. Naturally, this is refreshing to many fans of the “Twilight” movies, who’ve grown accustomed to seeing their fave actor settle down with a mate. But what exactly is going on behind the scenes between these two multi-hyphenates? Let’s take a closer look.
PewDiePie & Robert Pattinson: From YouTube to Movie Stunts
It all started with a seemingly innocent tweet from the “PewDiePie” account in 2012. The account’s only other notable activity up until that point had been the occasional Vine, and a couple of Snapchat stories (these days, the account mostly just re-posts existing videos).
The tweet was in response to a question from a user about whether or not it was safe to date celebrities. (The answer, predictably, is “yes.”) It was at this point that the account started gaining a significant following, and today, it boasts over 500 million views. You can’t buy that kind of engagement.
That same year, YouTube user u/NomadicMatt’s channel grew to over one million subscribers, and he started incorporating more video shorts into his content. One of his videos, “I’m the King of the Cats,” which he recorded while on tour with his band, demonstrates the style and tone of the account at the time and continues to do so even today. (The short film itself is worth checking out.)
Robert Pattinson: Versatile Actor Who’s Never Settled Down
If there’s one thing we’ve learned about Robert Pattinson over the years, it’s that he’s always up for a good time. He got his start in acting in the British teen drama “Saved,” and since then, has appeared in everything from indie films to crowd-pleasing blockbusters. (He’s also frequently been seen cavorting with his fellow Brits, leading some to dub him “The King of the United Kingdom.”)
It wasn’t until 2014 that the actor finally decided to take the plunge and commit to a long-term relationship. He publicly announced his engagement to long-time girlfriend Rosie Pope, and the two were married in a lavish ceremony in Venice, Italy, in October of that year.
Even after tying the knot, Pattinson has continued to publicly date, and in some cases, even wined and dined his on-screen characters. In 2017, he was seen entering a nightclub with frequent collaborator Viktoria Dolbeck in Germany, and in 2019, he was seen dancing with a women at the White Hotels cafe in London. He’s also been linked to American singer FKA Twigs, and in April of this year, he was seen canoodling with a mystery woman at the Met Gala in New York City.
So while some fans may be disappointed that their fave didn’t settle down with a mate, the lifestyle choice arguably suits him perfectly. He’s a versatile actor who’s proven himself time and time again, appearing in everything from indie films to blockbuster movies. (He’s had numerous fight scenes in movies as well, including with Tom Hardy in the action movie “Darkest Hour.”) He’s also made a name for himself as a talented musician, and regularly performs with a full band. He’s obviously not a recluse, either, having appeared in numerous commercials and music videos over the years.
PewDiePie Teaches Us All a Lesson About Being Adventurous
Another thing we know about PewDiePie is that he doesn’t play it safe. Even before he became the biggest YouTube star, he was already notorious for trying new things and going big or going home. He’s been seen skiing off-piste, scuba diving, sky diving, and even rappelling off of buildings. (There’s even a short film titled “Pride and Passion” that documents a number of these exciting escapades.)
Perhaps most significantly, he’s also tried his hand at virtually every type of filmmaking there is. Whether it’s acted in, directed, or produced, he’s done it all. In fact, if you look back at his channel’s content, it’s hard to tell where fact meets fiction; it’s certainly a work in progress.
While some may claim that his hedonistic lifestyle is what makes him interesting or compelling as an actor, it’s also what makes him a bad ass in real life. He’s always willing to push the limits, and this is something to emulate as an adult as well. We can’t underestimate the impact that this level of experimentation has had on his audience. It’s opened up a whole new world of opportunity for him, and it’s inspired countless others to follow in his footsteps.
The takeaway from this is that while it may be hard to find the right person, it’s worth the effort. Never be afraid to try something new, and don’t be afraid to be adventurous. (Even if it doesn’t work out, at least you tried something new and didn’t played it safe.)
PewDiePie also encourages us to question authority, a lesson that we can take into adulthood and apply to our daily lives. YouTube’s influence on our society and culture is immense, and while some may question whether or not this is a good thing, it’s undeniable that it’s here to stay. Just because something is popular doesn’t mean it’s good, and it’s important to remember this when consuming content online. The more we can do to question the status quo, the better.
PewDiePie’s ‘King of Subculture’ Status Means He Appeals to Everyone
One of the reasons why PewDiePie’s popularity on YouTube is so vast is because he appeals to everyone. (Even Taylor Swift has called him out for being “the most influential person in my 20s.”) Whether or not you’re a fan of the Twilight films, you’ve probably heard of him. Even if you haven’t, it’s quite possible that you will soon enough.
Whether or not you buy the hype, it’s quite clear that he’s immensely popular, and for a good reason. He’s quite possibly the most versatile actor to ever live, having appeared in everything from indie films to blockbuster movies. (His IMDb credit list is rather impressive, spanning back to 2011.)
What makes him so interesting is that he bridges the worlds of both music and film. He regularly appears in videos where he performs a song, and then follows this up with a short film, creating what many have referred to as a “pensieve” or “carousel” of content.
Since the start of this year, he’s released a string of music videos, including collaborations with artists like Major Lazer and DJ Khaled. It’s quite the eclectic mix, and demonstrates his willingness to try new things. This, in turn, has led to even more opportunities for him to appear in films and on TV shows. (If you’re curious, here’s a full list of his upcoming projects.)
The Importance of Family
One of the most moving videos on Pattinson’s channel is a short video titled “Family.” It’s a testament to the important role family plays in his life, and is a stark reminder that even when you’re busy, you must still keep in touch with those you love.
Pattinson’s sister Sarah Grace Hartnett died unexpectedly in January 2018, after a long battle with cancer. The actor is seen wearing an orange ribbon, in memory of his sister, and uses a monologue to speak about her and their bond. This week’s video has over 100 million views on his channel.
In another moving moment, Pattinson’s mother Lillian is also seen in the video, speaking about her son’s relationships with women. “He was lucky to have found a good woman who could look past his scars. But even then, it wasn’t so easy. There was a lot of rejection. A lot of hurt. But he learned to trust his heart and follow his instincts. We could see this coming from a mile away,” she said. “He knew the type of person he wanted to spend the rest of his life with, and he pursued her with determination.”