For the past six months, the world has been captivated by the love story of ‘Twilight’ stunnaes Robert Pattinson and his gorgeous girlfriend, Amber Heard. The tabloids have dubbed them ‘Kissing Bandits,’ and it seems like everyone wanted a piece of the action. The 27-year-old actor spent much of last year wrapped in the mantle of his lover, parading around New York City with her by his side. Their intimate photos and saucy videos made headlines around the globe. Now that the couple’s romance is officially over, it’s time for everyone to sit back and let the sparks fly again.
The Breakup
According to multiple reports, the split was caused by irreconcilable differences. The break-up seemed more of a fait accompli than a true ‘honeymoon,’ with Pattinson seemingly doing his best to expedite the process. As he made his way to a hotel in Paris to celebrate his 27th birthday with a ‘friends’ trip,’ the actor was photographed with a suitcase, seemingly heading for the exit. The split was officially announced a couple of weeks later, with the actor writing on his website, ‘It is with great sadness that I announce the break-up of my three-year relationship with Amber. We decided to call it quits. It was an incredibly difficult decision to make, but I feel like it is the right decision for both of us. I will always be thankful for her and our time together. I hope you respect our privacy during this difficult time.’
The announcement was met with an outpouring of sympathy and support from fans and fellow celebrities. Many expressed their admiration for the duo’s ‘commitment’ to each other in the face of adversities, while others wished them both the very best. Since their split, Amber has remained quiet about her former lover, fueling speculations that they may reunite one day. Meanwhile, Pattinson has kept a low profile, with the only major statement he’s made coming in the form of an olive branch, inviting Heard to join him on the silver screen in the upcoming ‘Good Time.’
Repercussions
It’s been over a month since ‘Twilight’ came to an end, yet the aftermath of the couple’s tumultuous romance remains a talking point, particularly in light of the fact that it was sparked by a meme. While ‘Twilight’ was undoubtedly a commercial and critical success—earning over 340 million views on YouTube—its popularity served as a double-edged sword, attracting countless stan-hungry fans and inspiring meme-worthy content creators to up the ante. Several hours after Pattinson’s announcement, a purported ‘Twilight’ sequel already had more than 2.5 million views on TikTok, cementing the meme-worthy nature of the franchise.
‘Twilight’ has also spawned numerous memes, with fans often using the hashtag #TwilightChallenge to show off their creative side, with some even recreating famous quotes from the movies in amusing situations. One of the more popular challenges sees users recreate one of the most iconic images from ‘Twilight,’ with Pattinson’s face swapped with that of a famous Hollywood celebrity. For instance, users have swapped his likeness for that of Charlie Chaplin, Kurt Russell, and Johnny Depp. Overnight, the hashtag #TwilightChallenge surpassed 400 million views on TikTok.
The viral success of ‘Twilight’ was somewhat unexpected, given the relatively low budget (estimated at around £25,000) and limited marketing spend that accompanied it. Yet, the film’s relatively simple premise—two vampires fall in love and fight for the right to live in harmony with humans—was enough to make it a roaring success. According to analysts, the box office returns of ‘Twilight’ made it one of the most profitable films of 2012, earning £27.5 million in ticket sales in the U.K. alone. Its strong performance in other markets—primarily North America—also helped fuel a box office renaissance for cinematic vampires (a sub-genre that saw a huge boost in popularity following ‘Twilight’s’ release).
Olive Branch
Since the end of ‘Twilight,’ Pattinson has taken the opportunity to step back from the limelight and pursue a much-needed sabbatical. Yet, the actor hasn’t been entirely quiet on social media, with several semi-public appearances on TikTok and Instagram Stories leading to speculation that he may be working on a secret project. In a recent interview with Esquire, he confirmed that he is indeed back in the studio, working on ‘something,’ but declined to provide any further details.
Pattinson &Heard In The Spotlight
Even before ‘Twilight,’ the on-screen chemistry between Pattinson and Heard was undeniable, with Esquire dubbing them “the most exciting new talent since Brad and Angelina.” The pair soon became a global media sensation, with their saucy on-screen antics making headlines around the world. During an appearance on ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live,’ Pattinson was asked about his favorite part of the romance, to which he replied, “Probably the sex. I mean, I could watch [Heard] for hours. And my god, she loves having her breasts admired. She’s very proud of her breasts. They’re very nice. I like to look at them and—” The audience cut him off in mid-sentence and the crowd erupted in laughter. Kimmel later quipped, “[The sex] hasn’t changed. It’s still good.”
Their steamy debut was followed by a string of iconic on-screen moments, including a tearful goodbye at the end of their first on-screen dance, a passionate make-out session, and—most notably—four incredibly explicit erotic scenes, which were some of the most graphically violent moments yet seen in film. The film’s extreme sexual content—which earned it an R rating in the U.K.—made headlines around the world and was the focus of much online speculation, with some even labeling it ‘porn for people who watched ‘Harry Potter.’
The Future
Looking ahead, it’s clear that the public has taken a liking to both Pattinson and Heard, with their on-screen chemistry and status as future movie stars serving as a constant source of entertainment and fascination. Yet, it’s important to keep in mind that these are still early days and much can change. Just this year, ‘The Nutcracker’ and ‘Mouthing Off’ star Will Ferrell emerged as a serious contender for the 2020 Oscar for Best Actor, a role that would’ve once been considered an unattainable triumph for any actor. Similarly, Meryl Streep, one of the most respected and prolific actresses of all time, is currently the favorite to win the 2020 Academy Award for Best Actress for her role in ‘Mary Queen of Scots.’
The Rumors
In addition to the above, the tabloids have been filled with rumors regarding the pair’s relationship since their split. The most persistent of these claims has been that of an engagement to Kate Winslet. Yet, while on-set pictures suggest that something may be going between the two, they’ve never actually confirmed their relationship to be anything more than a professional one. Winslet has also denied the engagement rumors, yet not before they’ve circulated for several months.
Then, in January 2021, it was reported that the ‘Titanic’ star and Pattinson were spotted shopping for engagement rings in New York City, with friends and fans speculating that this was indeed the case. If true, it would mark a significant career shift for 34-year-old Winslet, who has avoided the limelight for much of the past decade, shying away from major romantic relationships, much to the frustration of her fans. Yet, if this were to be the case, her loss of privacy would be a small price to pay for such a glorious moment. In the end, it’s difficult to say for certain what is true and what is gossip, but one thing is for sure: fans will continue to keep an eye on these two.