Fashion icon? Beauty icon? Sex symbol? There are many titles to bestow upon the onetime lovers, Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart, but ‘icon’ works best. Since breaking up, they have both managed to keep a firm grip on their celebrity, maintaining a dedicated fan base even after their split.
The ‘BFFs’ as they’re affectionately known in the media have been central to countless magazine spreads and trending topics on social media. Since their relationship began, it has been covered by every major news publication and generated millions of dollars in retail earnings. It’s fair to say that, for better or worse, their romance defined contemporary culture.
Now, as they navigate their post-break up world together, they continue to influence popular culture, while also seeking to redefine what it means to be an ‘adults-only’ couple. In order to explore this newfound freedom, they opened up to Vogue about what their married life is like, how they maintain their celeb-status and what their future holds.
New York Versus L.A.
For those living in New York, the city that ‘knew’ them both so well before they wed, the change in scenery didn’t exactly feel like a transformative leap. When Vogue visited them in their rented townhouse in the West Village, it was hard not to be transported back in time. “It’s funny, because even when we moved here, we were looking for a change,” says Stewart. “We were trying to find a place that felt more natural and felt like us. There were times when we would walk into a restaurant and feel like we didn’t belong there.”
“It’s strange, because it feels like we’re in New York when we’re here, but it also feels like we’re in Kansas when we’re there,” adds Pattinson. Although the married couple spent the first year of their marriage in St. Barts, a Caribbean island belonging to the British crown, it is in the United States where they have defined their marriage. From the get-go, they knew that they wanted to settle down together and make it work, which is why they picked a wedding venue located in Manhattan’s most prestigious hotel — The St. Regis.
The hotel is not just a place of celebration, however, with its grand entrance hall, spiral staircases and expansive gardens, it also hosts some of New York’s most elite social gatherings. This being said, while they were eager to marry in a venue that was significant, the couple wanted something more quintessential to them. “We wanted to have a wedding that felt like it was for a magazine shoot,” says Pattinson. “It had to look like we weren’t doing it for everyone else.”
The Making Of A Magazine Profile
Even before they were an item, the world knew of and adored Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. A native New Yorker, Stewart grew up in a family of artists, and it was clear that the talent ran in her genes. She began modeling at a young age and attended Sarah Lawrence College before pursuing a career in acting. In 2006, she made her Broadway debut in Rabbit Hole, before transitioning to feature film. She is the face of CoverGirl and has appeared in campaigns for Tiffany’s, Marc Jacobs’ and Ralph Lauren.
An in-demand celebrity, Stewart juggled her career with her personal life while dating Pattinson. In 2014, she gave birth to Stormi Webster, their first child together. She also made headlines for revealing that she is in a relationship with American author Jack Hough. In January 2020, Stewart and Hough announced that they are engaged.
“I want to be a wife and have a family,” Stewart told Vogue in April 2019. “I want to find someone I can share my whole life with. That’s what matters to me.” A year later, she found that person in Hough.
The ‘Iconic’ Couple
Like many other celebrity couples, the media have taken a keen interest in documenting the union of Rob Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. Their star power and fame has made them a timeless couple, whose passionate embrace has transcended the paparazzi’s attention. It wasn’t just about love at first sight, though. The relationship evolved as they discussed their shared interest in and love for indie rock and began collaborating on film projects. Their first professional collaboration was 2008’s Along for the Ride, a film about a couple’s road trip to Europe. The following year, they teamed up for a music video, directed by famed photographer Annie Leibovitz, which featured some of their favorite musicians. The video was a huge success and is still one of the most-liked videos on TikTok today.
It wasn’t long before ‘Sister Wives’ creator Kiah Stansberry brought them together for a mock interview that was included in the 2012 Family Game Night mini-series. The sketch was such a hit that it led to a full-blown interview and eventually, their own show — Sunday Night Dinner — on the Oprah Winfrey Network. The series follows the adventures of three generations of women as they cook for and engage with each other while sitting at the dining table.
Like many other celebrity couples, the relationship came with its fair share of drama. The couple battled rumors of break-up and then made headlines when they declared their love for each other in a heartfelt, if slightly corny, video message. The following month, they were featured in the annual list of Australia’s most popular couples. The attention brought with it a new level of fame, as discussed in the mini-documentary, “The Fame Project,” which followed them as part of the 2020 Sundance Film Festival. The movie highlights the couple’s complicated, yet luminous, relationship, revealing how fame brought with it a new set of challenges.
New Level Of Responsibility
While the spotlight has been focused upon the couple’s love story, it has also revealed that fame brings with it a new level of responsibility. In light of this, many stars have taken the opportunity to speak out about how they want to be role models to younger generations. After years of being in the public eye, much has changed for Pattinson and Stewart. They have entered a new era of their relationship, one that is less defined by the intense media scrutiny and paparazzi attention that came with fame. This being said, the spotlight remains as strong as ever, and with new opportunities come new challenges. For example, Stewart has found herself in the middle of several creative collaborations and says that she wants to continue to be a source of inspiration for younger generations. “I feel like [collaborating with other creatives] is how I can really push myself as an artist,” she says. “I’ve always been driven by my work, but this is different. This is more like a personal project that I’m taking on, that I can really pour my heart and soul into.”
When asked what she has learned from her previous fame, Stewart replies, “I’ve learned to be more grateful for the life that I have. I feel like I’ve always been very lucky.” While it is easy to be grateful for your good fortune, this is no easy task, especially when you’re faced with a seemingly endless parade of drama. The ability to stay positive — and ideally, content — is a quality valued in a wife and mother-to-be and it seems that Stewart has taken this to heart.
The Future
With fame comes professional as well as personal challenges. One of the most significant aspects of the ‘Iconic’ couple’s journey has been their attempt to redefine what it means to be an ‘adults-only’ couple. In a bid to expand their appeal beyond the ‘millennials’ who identified with them in the past and garnered them millions of fans, they have strived to shed the adult-film star stigma that often accompanies an R-rated movie. In 2019, they launched Goodwater Brewing, their own restaurant and bar in the West Village, which serves up classic comfort food with an ‘al fresco’ twist. The eatery is part of an indie film complex that also includes a bar and screening room, run by the same team.
“When we started the restaurant, it was with the idea that it would be somewhere that people could come and feel like they were in a relationship with us,” says Pattinson. “That’s the kind of vibe we were going for. When you walk in, it feels like you’re in a different space. You’re not distracted by what’s on the TV or the internet. You’re in a quieter, more relaxed environment.”