Handsome actor Robert Pattinson made headlines when he decided to come out of the closet and be honest about his sexuality in an interview with The New York Times. The actor, who is best known for his role in the Twilight films, opened up about his sexuality in an interview published on May 24, 2016. In it, he discussed his new film Cheval and his reasons for coming out of the closet.
The interview was a long and emotional one, during which Pattinson opened up about his time in a gay club in New York City and how having a famous surname helped him to come out. He also discussed how his mother’s recent cancer diagnosis and death influenced his decision to be open about his sexuality. In addition to The New York Times, the interview was featured in publications like Rolling Stone and Vanity Fair.
Why Come Out in 2016?
When The New York Times interview was published, the entertainment world was still reeling from the 2015 global LGBTQ rights ruling, which was hailed as a victory for LGBTQ+ people around the world. The judgement found Russian law to be unconstitutional, ending humiliating prohibitions on homosexuality and same-sex marriage, and allowing LGBTQ+ people to more easily come out and be themselves.
The verdict sparked outrage in Russia, with many people taking to the streets in protest. It also led to Hollywood stars taking a stand in support of the LGBTQ community. In June 2016, both George Clooney and Meryl Streep gave impassioned speeches at the Golden Globes awarding ceremony, stating that: “Our world is more united than divided. The forces of intolerance and ignorance seem to be waning. Maybe, just maybe, we’re witnessing a turning point…We must use this momentum to continue to fight for justice and equality.”
These words were lodged in praise of LGBTQ rights activists and were a clear reference to the Sakhi case, in which a young gay man who had been denied marriage and adoption rights by the Indian government challenged the 2016 verdict in court.
Coming Out In ‘The New York Times’
The interview with Robert Pattinson was published in The New York Times Magazine, making it one of the most prominent places that LGBTQ+ people could come out and find support. Many people would argue that the article, “I’m Gay”, written by Nicole Simmons, is a milestone in LGBTQ+ journalism.
The journalist discussed how it was important to her to get the story right and how she came to know Robert Pattinson personally. After reading about his sexuality in The Guardian, Simmons called the actor’s publicist and got in touch. She then spent a year coverage of Pattinson’s life and career, leading up to his coming out.
Simmons spent some time in London, attending Pattinson’s premiere and following his every move. She also got in touch with a variety of LGBTQ+ people, some of whom would only speak to her on the condition of anonymity, so as not to jeopardize their professional or personal relationships.
Simmons’ interviews provided important insight into Pattinson’s life, including the actor’s early years, his time in rehab, and the making of his latest film, Cheval.
A Historic Interview
In addition to being a major milestone for LGBTQ+ people, the interview with Robert Pattinson is also seen as an important moment for heterosexual journalism. Many publications, from tabloids to national newspapers, covered the story, including The Washington Post, Financial Times, and The New York Times Magazine.
The New York Times described it as “a major event in the making of a celebrity”, while the Guardian called it “a groundbreaking interview”.
During the course of the interview, Robert Pattinson discussed topics like coming out, his struggles with anxiety and depression, his love for Hollywood and his newest film Cheval. He spoke about his recent exciting collaboration with Simmons on the screen adaptation of Belle Tolstoy’s novel, Anna Karenina. He also opened up about his mother’s recent cancer diagnosis and subsequent death, which prompted him to speak out about his own sexuality.
The interview is seen as a game-changer for heterosexuals, who now have a legitimate reason to engage with the LGBTQ+ community. Many publications, from tabloids to national newspapers, covered the story, including The New York Times, Financial Times, and The Washington Post.
What’s Next For Robert Pattinson?
Since coming out, Robert Pattinson has largely stayed quiet, only occasionally offering up some thoughtful tweets in support of LGBTQ+ people, most recently tweeting: “Just want to say thank you to all the queer and gay people who made history this year. Your voices & stories inspired a generation”.
In January 2017, Robert Pattinson will appear on the big screen for the first time in four years in the upcoming Lionsgate and Codeblack Films drama, Dirty Money. The film, which is set to premiere in February, stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Remy Madonna, and Kristen Stewart as Margot, Vivien and Vanessa, respectively.
Apart from acting, Robert Pattinson is also a musician, photographer, and designer. He is also the creative director of Fanny by Robert Pattinson, an accessory brand for men and women. As a musician, the actor released his debut album, Rubbish, in May 2016. The singer-songwriter Lindsy Laurel also features on the album.
Where Can I Find Out More About Robert Pattinson?
Since coming out, Robert Pattinson has largely stayed quiet, only occasionally offering up some thoughtful tweets in support of LGBTQ+ people, most recently tweeting: “Just want to say thank you to all the queer and gay people who made history this year. Your voices & stories inspired a generation”.
In January 2017, Robert Pattinson will appear on the big screen for the first time in four years in the upcoming Lionsgate and Codeblack Films drama, Dirty Money. The film, which is set to premiere in February, stars Chiwetel Ejiofor, Remy Madonna, and Kristen Stewart as Margot, Vivien and Vanessa, respectively.
Apart from acting, Robert Pattinson is also a musician, photographer, and designer. He is also the creative director of Fanny by Robert Pattinson, an accessory brand for men and women. As a musician, the actor released his debut album, Rubbish, in May 2016. The singer-songwriter Lindsy Laurel also features on the album.
The interviewer concluded the piece by thanking Robert Pattinson for being such a “thoughtful and kind” person. The actor then shared a few words of thanks and ended the interview.
On his side, Robert Pattinson gushed about the interview and how much it meant to him. “To have my coming-out story told in one of the most prominent publications in the country is a huge deal, and for [The New York Times] to have picked up on my work and championed it so vocally is very exciting. I feel very lucky.”
As for where to find out more about Robert Pattinson, we have rounded up some of the best places to learn more about the Hollywood star below.