What happened to the old Hollywood glamour? We’re not saying that celebrities no longer inspire admiration, but rather that the public’s interest in them seems to have waned.
The latest example is Robert Pattinson, whose combination of good looks and acting talent made him one of the most in-demand leading men of his generation. Now that he’s emerged from the Twilight shadow—he’s starred in five films since August 2014 and is set to begin shooting a new franchise—hopes are high that he’ll recapture the fame he once enjoyed. But it might not be easy.
Pattinson turned 35 last week, and while some fans may be celebrating the occasion with a tweet or two, the majority are more likely to be thinking about the actor’s declining public appeal. The shift isn’t surprising, as celebrities have always been dogged by accusations of being shallow, vain, and self-centered. Even those who aren’t usually interested in celebrities may feel pity for them, as they’re often portrayed in the press. The reality is, however, that not all celebrities are created equal, and there are some who embody all the positive qualities that one would want in a role model.
Why Robert Pattinson?
Pattinson has been a prominent figure in Hollywood for years, first attracting attention for his starring role as Edward Cullen in the Twilight films. The books, which he also co-authored, were extremely popular and led to an entire generation being swept away by werewolf madness. The films, too, were a critical and commercial success, helping elevate the once-unknown actor to superstardom.
After Twilight, Pattinson has continued to star in high-profile roles, often alongside the aforementioned Justin Bieber. Despite their on-screen chemistry, which some have labeled “sizzling,” the real connection between Pattinson and Bieber is apparently off-screen. According to a source close to the production, the two men have been dating for over a year and recently moved in together.
While the news may upset some fans who believed that Pattinson had discarded his past relationships, it actually serves as a reminder of how much influence he still holds over today’s Hollywood. In an interview with Vogue, Pattinson noted that he’d “always tried to stay away from Hollywood and its clichés,” attributing his newfound popularity to the fact that “people can relate to [Edward Cullen] more.”
Whether or not Pattinson chooses to embrace this pop culture phenomenon remains to be seen, but for now, it’s clear that he’s not letting go of his association with the most popular boy band of all time just yet.
Why Justin Bieber?
As we’ve established, the real connection between Pattinson and Bieber is off-screen, but it’s their shared tastes in music that have endeared them to a generation of young fans. In 2012, Pattinson described his musical tastes as follows: “I mostly listen to classic rock, blues, and alternative music. I like listening to all of it, but I mainly listen to bands like the Beatles and the Rolling Stones. They influenced me a lot when I was growing up.”
Bieber echoed these sentiments, declaring in a 2018 interview that his musical tastes were “60% classic rock, with the other 40% including bands like the Stones, Led Zeppelin, and The Beatles.”
Whether or not these bands inspired the men to start a romance-gone-wrong in real life, their musical tastes certainly provided the inspiration for their on-screen relationship. The Biebs has been romantically linked to a number of high-profile women, including Selena Gomez, but he’s always maintained that he doesn’t view music as a “sex symbol,” as so many of his fans seem to think. In an interview with GQ, he declared that he didn’t even know what a sex symbol was, adding, “I don’t think it’s something you define yourself as.”
Perhaps it’s this self-assurance that has endeared him to fans, as well as the press, who have covered his relationship with the likes of Lupita Nyong’o and Elle MacLeman. Most recently, he’s been in a relationship with actress and singer Hailey Baldwin, whom he met on the set of the upcoming comedy The House with the Ghosts. If this romance ends in the same way as the rest, it’ll be yet another example of the pop star using his celebrity status to gain favor with the ladies (and gents).
What Does This Mean For The Industry?
If you’ve been following celebrity news, you may have noticed a trend: more and more men are finding success in Hollywood as the “boyfriend” role becomes more popular. The industry even has a name for this phenomenon: The Rise of the Bros. Blockbuster movies have led to a “male bro-ing” of sorts, as men are prioritizing their friendships over their romantic interests.
This trend presents opportunities for actors who can show they have both a romantic and a friendly side. While some will undoubtedly choose to capitalize on their newfound fame, others will choose to remain private, pursuing personal and professional growth opportunities.
For now, it’s unclear how long this newfound friendship will last—Bieber has already hinted that their relationship could be ending soon—but for now, it’s clear that these two aren’t going to be getting separated any time soon.