Beret-wearing singer Robert Pattinson is quite the celebrity. Between his music and his movie career, he’s managed to snag a spot among the world’s most recognizable faces. Today, we’re going to sit down with him and get the real story behind his success—from humble beginnings to his remarkable journey to the top. Read on to find out more.
Early Life
The son of Peter and Elizabeth, Robert Pattinson was born in London on December 13, 1986. He grew up in a small village in the English countryside, where he would later live with his family. When he turned 18, he moved to Los Angeles to pursue a career in music. There he connected with director David Lister, who became his manager. He started taking acting classes and booked several small roles in TV shows and short films. He also collaborated with songwriters and producers to land recording contracts with Warner Bros. Records and EMI. In 2010, he traveled back to London for the premiere of his film, Twilight, which took the UK by storm. Since then, he’s taken the country by storm on the red carpet and in song sales, too.
Musical Career
Pattinson began his musical career at a young age, playing piano for his elementary school’s Christmas recitals and singing in church. He eventually dropped out of university to focus on his music career. In 2007, he released his debut album, Watermellonmelon, which featured the hit single “Smile.” The album wasn’t a commercial success, but it did score him a number of prestigious accolades, including the prestigious Mercury Prize for Music in 2008. Around this time, he also began dating stylist Emily Brown. In 2010, he released his second album, Uncut Gems, which spawned the single “Sober.” The following year, he collaborated with Jay-Z on the album Watch the Throne, featuring some of the biggest names in hip-hop. In 2012, Pattinson released his third album, Nostalgic, which featured the hit single “Remember when.” The song reached the top of the charts in over 20 countries, earning him a Guinness World Record. During this time, he also began working with long-time collaborator Jonny Buckland on tracks for a fourth album. In 2013, Pattinson released his first book, Autobiography, which detailed the making of his first three albums. In 2014, he released his fourth album, High as in Hope, which was dedicated to Emily. That same year, he married his long-time partner, Rosemarie Manzano.
Film Career
In 2008, David Lister cast Pattinson in the role of Cedric in his directorial debut, House of Gucci. The film itself was a satire on the supermodel industry and starred Gwyneth Paltrow and Ralph Fiennes. It also marked the acting debut of Emily Brown. Critics mostly panned the movie and the next day’s newspapers were filled with criticism. In 2015, he released his first starring role in a movie, Pattinson. In a word, it was a bomb. Despite mixed reviews, the movie went on to become one of the most profitable indie films of all time. In 2019, he reunited with Lister for the comedy feature, Life of Crime. In 2020, he is set to star in the big-budget superhero comedy, The Hollywood Vampires.
Style
People magazine called Pattinson “the new male sex symbol,” which only goes to show how impactful his music is to both genders. In 2009, he was named one of the “most sexy men alive,” and in 2010 he was named the most fashionable Englishman alive. His unique style has led to a laundry list of collaborators, including Jeremy Scott, Marc Jacobs, and Victoria Beckham. Not satisfied with being merely unique, Pattinson also dons bowties, velvet, and metal collars as part of his look. He’s also known for his distinctive taste in sneakers, which range from Nikes to Puma to Off-White. He’s often been photographed in luxurious settings, making even the most luxurious items look like they were designed with him in mind. His own clothing line, RWPattz, is sold in the most luxurious stores worldwide, including Louis Vuitton and Miu Miu’s boutiques.
The Future
Pattinson is set to star in several high-profile movies over the next two years. First, he’s slated to play the lead in the fantasy drama, Robin Hood. Then, in 2020, he’ll be seen in the action movie, Overlord with Jumanji’s Jack Nicholson. After that, in 2021, he’ll be seen in Ocean’s 8 and once again with Nicholson in his directorial debut, Joker. It would be one thing if all of these movies were bankable in and of themselves. However, given the state of the current pandemic, it’s unlikely that any of them will actually see the light of day.