It’s no secret that English actor Rob Pattinson and singer-cum-actress Kristen Stewart have been dating since 2012. The chemistry between them is undeniable, their on-screen and off-screen relationships alike captivating audiences worldwide. But what exactly is the appeal of this celebrity couple?
To find out, we need to go back to the beginning…
Rob Pattinson: The Early Years
Before we begin our examination of Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s blossoming romance, it’s important to establish the context in which it all started. Born in London in 1986, Rob grew up dreaming of becoming an actor and started acting at an early age, appearing in TV commercials and school plays. After graduating from Oxford University with a double first in history and economics, he moved to Los Angeles to further his acting career. He made his film directorial debut in 2010, with the critically acclaimed drama The Descendants.
While in LA, Rob also fell in love with a fellow English expat named Daisy Lowe, meeting her in 2009 when she starred alongside him in the movie The Rum Diary. The following year, the couple were married in a quiet ceremony in England followed by a glamorous reception in Monaco. As the newlyweds began to settle in to married life, they decided to extend their honeymoon in style, hosting a luxurious trip to Italy, where they fell in love with the country and its food. It was during this trip that Kristen Stewart joined the party, meeting the newlyweds for the first time. A friend of the couple since their teens, Stewart was invited to tour Italy with them and ended up falling in love with the country as well. A few months later, she too decided to make the trip a permanent home.
Stewart’s decision to make Italy her new home was no accident. Italy has a culture that is both contemporary and traditional, a mix that appeals to her. Most importantly, she wanted to be close to Marjan Pejoski, the woman she refers to as her ‘mum’. Since she was a teenager, Stewart has been living with Pejoski, who has been tirelessly advocating for her daughter, providing love and support during a time in her life when Stewart needed it most. It was this connection to her ‘mum’ that helped Stewart find the stability she needed to begin her acting career in earnest, starring in 2011’s On the Road, for example, and in subsequent movies, earning her notability and praise.
Kristen Stewart: The Rise To Stardom
While Rob Pattinson was busy starting his career, Kristen Stewart was establishing herself as one of Hollywood’s most in-demand actresses. Stewart starred in the Twilight franchise as Bella Swan, the shy and bookish high schooler who falls in love with vampire Edward Cullen (portrayed by Robert Pattinson). The films were a phenomenal success, becoming the highest-grossing media franchise of all time with total earnings of over $14 billion worldwide. More recently, Stewart starred in the indie hit Beast, which she describes as a “breakup movie about a girl who rejects the traditional gender roles of a love story,” in which she plays a strong, independent woman who doesn’t want to be defined by romantic relationships. In addition to acting, Stewart is also one of the franchise’s four co-authors along with Stephenie Meyer, Liz Crowley, and Peter Scholtes.
Since the beginning of her career, Stewart has maintained an extremely public profile, appearing on the cover of numerous fashion magazines and red carpets around the world. In addition to being one of Hollywood’s most attractive and respected actresses, Stewart is also one of its most influential and sought-after young voices, speaking out against Hollywood’s age bias and encouraging young women to follow their dreams.
In 2017, the actress married her longtime boyfriend, French photographer and painter Xavier Samuel. The couple’s engagement was announced by Stewart in March 2017 and they were married the following month in a private ceremony in France. The wedding was attended by close friends and family members, including Stewart’s parents, Peter and Phyllis, as well as her siblings; actors Charlie, Jessie, and Liv; and her grandparents, the late actors Bill and Kay Witt. The couple reside in a 15th-century farmhouse in Hertfordshire, England, where they have begun renovating.
Togetherness
It’s interesting to note that while acting has been Stewart’s primary focus for much of her adult life, she has never really kept a regular ‘9 to 5′ job. Even before she began working in film, Stewart had spent many years traveling the world and starring in various indie films and music videos. In fact, it was during one of these breaks in her career that she met and began to date Rob Pattinson. They both shared a love for travel and an adventurous spirit, infusing their relationship with an adventurous edge.
Since meeting Rob in 2009, Stewart has done almost all of the driving. The couple have visited over 80 countries together and in 2015, Stewart even proposed to Pattinson while on an expedition in Iceland. During his visit, the actor had to submit to an adventurous press conference following a lunchtime dive into a volcano. “It was an amazing story,” recalls Stewart with a smile on her face.
While the two are undeniably proud of their individual achievements, they also recognize the significance of their partnership and the positive impact it’s had on both their lives. “I think we are both very aware of the weight of what we have together. For me, as an actor, it was always about proving myself,” says Stewart. “But being able to commit to someone and have that person commit to you, it feels like the most amazing thing in the world.”
Style And Beauty
The thing about Rob and Kristen is that they’re absolutely stunning people and have an incredible knack for style. From an early age, the two have embraced a minimalist approach to living, which they credit for much of their apparent closeness and confidence. They famously follow the ‘pare down, purse down’ rule when traveling, refusing to bring along any excess baggage.
Stewart describes this approach to life as ‘classy’, while Rob credits their unique style, which often features simple but elegant dresses and suits, with helping them to rise above the crowd. “In a room of beautiful people, you will always be the standout,” Rob told Men’s Health in 2015.
As mentioned above, since early in her career, Stewart has been driven by a strong work ethic and a desire to prove herself as an actor. This drive has resulted in a beautiful brand of its own, spearheaded by her longtime stylist and fashion consultant Natalia Kamenicki. Known for her edgy yet polished style and use of luxurious fabrics, such as cashmere, sequin, and organza, Kamenicki has worked with Stewart on her style evolution, from her early musical days in Florence to her latest campaign for Gucci. “I wanted to make sure she felt like a woman, yet also remembered to look like a woman,” says Kamenicki of Stewart, explaining her unique look. “So, I wanted to give her a polished but edgy look. It wasn’t easy, but she’s always wanting to push the boundaries.”
The partnership between Stewart and Kamenicki has resulted in a look that is classically beautiful yet uniquely individualistic, a perfect reflection of the actress’ spirit.
They Challenge And Inspire
Although they are both established stars in their own right, it’s fair to say that Rob and Kristen have not always been appreciated for their individual talents. This changed, however, once people got to know them. “There’s a reason why people connect with us,” explains Stewart. “It’s because we’re both very genuine. We both have a really strong moral compass and we both try to live our lives by the golden rule.”
Stewart’s openness and honesty has helped her to connect with her fans, many of whom have followed her on personal Instagram accounts, revealing her daily struggles and triumphs. “I’ve had fan letters from all over the world,” she says. “One girl wrote from Malawi, saying that my story had opened up the opportunity for women in her country to dream big.” This support from her followers has helped to boost Stewart’s self-esteem and allowed her to persevere through difficult times. “I never felt like a professional,” she says, “but I always felt that I had to prove myself to be an acting professional. There were so many times when I just wanted to give up.”