It’s been a hard year for Rob. Not only did his band The Twilight Saga: Ecliptic release their self-titled album to mixed reviews and lackluster sales, but he also had to put up with a lot of tabloid gossip surrounding his relationship with actress Kristen Stewart. But as 2018 draws to an end, it’s time for the 29-year-old to look back on his year and appreciate all the hard work that got him here—even if it wasn’t always easy.
The Last Year
For those who don’t know, Rob is the son of a billionaire and part-time painter named Clifford B. Simons. As a result of his father’s considerable resources, Rob was afforded the opportunity to develop his musical talent alongside established artists like Stevie Wonder and Rod Stewart. In 2014, at the height of his Twilight success, Rob released his self-titled debut album and began working on his follow-up, Sincerely, Robert Pattinson. However, in the wake of his relationship with Kristen Stewart—which, according to reports, began when she was 19 years old and he was 27—the singer/songwriter had a falling out with his father. As a result, he was cut off from his billionaire roots and had to find a way to support himself.
One Last Dance
After taking a break from music to work on his film career, Rob eventually returned with One Last Dance, a collection of folk-oriented songs inspired by his time spent in a Scottish castle shooting the movie Tamara Drewe. The album garnered mixed reviews, but it did well enough that it placed No. 5 on Rolling Stone’s Best Albums of 2018 list. Now that he’s at the tail end of the year, it’s time to put One Last Dance to the test and see how it holds up against his father’s more established records—not to mention the ever-growing library of Rob’s back catalog.
The Grammys
To say that 2018 was a tough year for Rob would be an understatement. Not only did his band The Twilight Saga: Ecliptic release their self-titled album to mixed reviews and lackluster sales, but he also had to put up with a lot of tabloid gossip surrounding his relationship with actress Kristen Stewart. But as 2018 draws to an end, it’s time for the 29-year-old to look back on his year and appreciate all the hard work that got him here—even if it wasn’t always easy.
Stewart’s sister, Liberty, hosted the annual Grammy Awards last month. The occasion was marked by heartfelt speeches from some of the award winners and memorable performances from Lady Gaga, Bruno Mars, and Kendrick Lamar. One of the highlights of the night had to be Pattinson’s collaboration with Mars on the steamy “F*** Me I’m Famous.” After performing the intimate duet, the two went on to kiss and hug each other on-stage. It was an emotional moment for Stewart’s family, who accepted the award for her on behalf of her and Pattinson.
In His Own Words
To close out his year, Rob published an open letter to his fans on Instagram, expressing his gratitude for their support throughout 2018. In the letter, he touches on the album’s themes and explains the process behind its creation. He also makes a valiant effort to put to rest the rumors surrounding his personal life.
“I wanted to make sure that you guys all knew that this album was 100% me. I’m really proud of it, and I hope you all like it,” he wrote. “I’ve learned a lot this year, and I think that I’ve grown as a person and an artist. I hope that my fans feel that I’ve grown alongside them.”
While 2018 was a difficult year for Rob, it was also a memorable one. Not only did he put out a fantastic album, but he also came of age in a way that made him a more mature individual. And who knows—with his father now an absentee billionaire, perhaps this is the beginning of a new era for Rob.