If you’re reading this, I’ll assume that you’re probably someone who follows celebrity news closely, and you might be wondering: Who is Robert Pattinson, and what’s he up to these days?
If you haven’t heard, the “Twilight” star was one of the many famous faces who graced the red carpet at the 54th Annual Grammy Awards in Los Angeles on Sunday (February 10). And by “graced the red carpet,” we mean he was basically on display for the entire world to see. The actor was wearing a custom-made suit made from crocodile leather and showcased his enviable physique in a series of chic poses for the cameras.
As expected, the paparazzi were out in full force to capture the moment. And if that weren’t enough, Pattinson was also showing off his famous smile as he greeted fans and well-wishers alike. So even if you didn’t know who he was before, you definitely know him now. Let’s take a walk down memory lane and revisit the five most memorable moments from Sunday’s prestigious event.
1. When He First Walked Into The Studio
The most memorable moment of the Grammys happened when Pattinson first walked into the studio. It was there, on a dimly-lit stage, that he revealed to the world that he had indeed changed his major to music. (He had dropped out of L.A. County College in 2010 to focus on his acting career.)
Although he’s made TV appearances throughout his acting career, this was his first time in front of a live audience, and he addressed the audience with his signature grin. “I never intended to come back to school, but things happen for a reason,” he said before launching into his first single, “Just Like Heaven.”
The crowd went wild as he performed the ballad and displayed his passion for music. He followed that up with an exhilarating version of the Michael Jackson classic, “Man in the Mirror,” and closed the night with a bang as he performed a blistering cover of Prince’s “Purple Rain.”
2. When He Shared a Heartfelt Moment With Anne-Marie
After the concert, fans rushed to meet the actor, hoping to catch a glimpse of his famous smile. But it wasn’t just any old smile they were dealing with – it was an extremely shy smile. That is, until he met Anne-Marie. (She goes by the professional name, Ann-Marie Donnehy.)
The two had met previously at a party in 2015, but it was at the Grammys that they finally sealed their friendship. They were paired together on the carpet for eternity as they posed for photos with fans. (It was later revealed that they would be attending the same hotel, the Beverly Hills Hotel, after the awards.)
Pattinson thanked the musician for being his “shoulder to cry on” during a heartfelt speech. “She’s one of the strongest women I know,” he told Variety. “She’s been through a lot in her life, but she’s never let any of it defeat her.”
In response, Donnehy posted a photo on her Instagram captioned “#wwwhatsapp” – an abbreviation for “what’s your white underwear” that her fans have started using as a slang phrase. The post has received over 16,000 likes.
3. When He Shared A Funny Rant With Lil Nas X
Speaking of strong women, Lil Nas X was certainly the man of the hour at the Grammys. The Atlanta rapper became famous (or infamous, rather) for his song, “Old Town Road,” which samples the iconic theme song from the classic television show, The Jeffersons. (In case you were wondering, “Old Town Road” peaked at number seven on the Billboard Top 100 in 2018.)
The song became such a phenomenon that it was nominated for Song of the Year at the 2019 Grammys. And it’s fair to say that Nas’s status as a rap superstar was firmly cemented in the minds of everyone in attendance at the Grammy Awards that night. (He also won Video of the Year for “Old Town Road”.)
As the rapper took the stage to accept the award for Video of the Year, he delivered a hilarious speech that saw him rant about how the music industry has changed. “I think people have realized that this is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, and you don’t want to fucking waste it,” he said. (Watch below.)
It was at that point that Pattinson, who was laughing hysterically, put a stop to it. (It should be noted that Nas’s team had reached out to ask if he would be open to having a comedy routine at the Grammys. He eventually agreed, and although it wasn’t completely improvised, he said it was one of the highlights of his career.)
4. When He Sang A Votive For Prince
Another artist who made a name for himself last year was Brandi Carlile. Her new album, The Firewatcher’s Daughter, was nominated for Album of the Year, and she performed several tracks from the album, including “The Story” and “The Circle.”
The album’s lead single, “The Story,” features Andre 3000, and it’s one of the most powerful songs of the year. (It also happens to be about AIDS.) In an interview with Billboard, Carlile said that “The Story” is about “how fear can keep you from having the courage to live your life, let alone how to have a full and meaningful relationship.”
One of the most poignant moments of the night came during Brandi’s performance. She had prepared a tribute to the late music legend, Prince, and as she began to perform, a piano dropped down from the ceiling to accompany her. (Watch below.)
It was a brilliant move by the producers because not only is pianos a highly effective visual prop, but it also enabled Brandi to perform several of Prince’s most iconic songs. Although she did not specifically mention the “Purple Rain” song while she was onstage, she certainly delivered justice with her rendition of “When Doves Cry” and “Little Red Corvette.”
5. When He Performed With Lady Gaga
It wouldn’t be a list of the five most memorable moments from the Grammys if we didn’t mention Lady Gaga. The star was nominated for five awards at this year’s Grammys and walked away with four trophies (including Album of the Year for her as-yet-untitled album).
Prior to the awards show, Gaga had performed a medley of her songs, including “Perfect Illusion,” “G.U.Y.,” and “Shallow.” At one point during the performance, she invited Pattinson on stage to perform “Shallow” with her. (The two had previously collaborated on the song “Million Reasons” from the soundtrack of the 2018 film, “Judy Dench.”)
The “Shallow” video, directed by Roman Kroitor and shot at Venice Beach in Los Angeles, follows a star-crossed romance between a Hollywood superstar and a beautiful socialite. It’s a highly stylized portrayal of the glamor and glitz of Tinseltown, complete with a fashion show, champagne bottles, and models posing seductively on a beach. (It also features cameos from dozens of A-list stars.)
Kroitor had told Vogue that he and Gaga had talked about bringing Pattinson on board for the video. “I think it’s really apt, given the themes of our video, which is all about superficiality,” he said. “We were looking for someone who can represent that. He’s perfect for it.”
Even though he wasn’t directly involved with the making of the video, Pattinson’s participation was still very much needed because he is, in fact, featured in it. (It has reportedly become one of the most popular videos on YouTube this year.)
When the moment of the night had finally arrived, and the celebrities had taken their seats, the attendees were treated to a magical performance by Lady Gaga. She began the show with a bang as her dancers broke the fourth wall and came at you with fists flying. (Watch below.)