It was just over a year ago when Robert Pattinson caused a major media stir when he was photographed kissing a woman other than his wife, FKA Twigs. Since then, the “Bees Knees” singer has been enjoying some much-needed peace. But he did have one more romantic encounter before the year was out—this time with a man. And it seems like the “Twilight” hunk is here to stay, officially transitioning from bachelor to committed partner.
The actor was snapped kissing German DJ and producer Oliver Hoffmann in a romantic embrace. While the two have been romantically linked for years, they kept their relationship under the radar until recently. “We’ve been together for a few months now,” Hoffmann admitted to People. “It’s been pretty much hassle free.”
The two were first linked when they were spotted cosying up at a Hollywood awards show in April. Since then, they’ve been inseparable, often seen holding hands and gazing into each other’s eyes. At one point, Pattinson even proposed marriage to Hoffmann. The 42-year-old producer responded with a resounding “yes.”
The couple took their romance out of the shadows when they attended the Cannes Film Festival in May. They were among the first to arrive at the famed French Riviera residence and were later spotted walking the red carpet together. The festival, which runs from the 11th of June to the 17th of June, is one of the biggest events of the international film calendar. It usually draws major Hollywood stars and A-list celebs, as well as directors, producers and writers from all over the world.
While in Cannes, Pattinson and Hoffmann became the toast of the town. They weren’t just there for the film festival—the German producer also has a mansion in the city. So, it was no surprise that they drew a crowd of paparazzi and celebrity fans. During a ceremony to celebrate German comedy director Peter Falk’s 70th birthday, Hoffmann presented Pattinson with a golden ticket for a comedy show. It seems like the two are always running into the spotlight. In between takes, Pattinson could be found posing for selfies with excited fans. The “Water for Elephants” star even made a special appearance at the 2018 Met Gala (formerly the Metropolitan Museum of Art’s Costume Institute gala) in New York City. The designer of the Met Gala, Victoria Beckham, created a mesmerizing dress that featured a mermaid-like silhouette. For the occasion, Pattinson sported a dazzling smile as he attended the gala with his wife, who is also a designer, Gabrielle Chhock. He looked dapper in a black tuxedo, with crystal studs on the collar and a pocket square. The dress drew rave reviews from the fashion world—and it’s not hard to see why. Not only does Victoria Beckham regularly collaborate with high-end brands, but she is also one of the most influential fashion designers of today’s generation. And it wasn’t just about the dress—Pattinson sported a bold blue carnation, which he gave to Victoria after the event. He has a remarkable habit of handing out flowers to women he meets. In fact, this is how he got his nickname, “The Gentleman.”
The “Bel Air” Actor
Pattinson has long been considered one of Hollywood’s most eligible bachelors. After taking a break from acting following the 2008 financial crisis, the “Water for Elephants” star decided to put his career on hold to focus on his personal life. He began seeing British singer Lily Collins in 2011, and their engagement was made official the following year. While the pair kept their relationship low-profile, they did manage to surprise the world when they tied the knot in a intimate ceremony in March 2014. Several months later, Collins gave birth to their son, Kent. The parents named the little prince after British Prime Minister Winston Churchill.
Since the birth of his son, Pattinson has been more protective of his privacy. While he has attended a few premieres and award ceremonies since then, he has kept a low profile. He also hasn’t signed on for any big-name films since 2014. But that doesn’t mean he has remained idle. The actor is more likely to be found on the set of a low-budget indie film than on a Hollywood movie. Pattinson makes his own films on a personal basis and often stars in them. He has also branched out into fashion, becoming the face of several luxury brands. In addition to his work with Collins and Beckham, he is also set to star in the upcoming Netflix series “The King.”
Met Gala
Pattinson’s desire to remain private has seen him interact with the media just once since his wedding day in 2014. That came in the form of a racy photo spread in British magazine Vogue. The images were seemingly designed to shock and titillate. Pattinson and Collins were photographed in a variety of compromising positions—from Lily in a wedding dress to Winston in nothing but a towel. The photos caused quite the scandal when they were published in Vogue, but the actor was quick to laugh it off. “I don’t think [Vogue] intended it to be seen by anyone other than their target audience,” he said at the time. “I suppose it could be considered edgy, but it was really mainly about having fun and making a splash. It was a one-off, isolated incident, which was a shame because people could have judged [Vogue] for what they were doing.”
Pattinson was equally adamant that he and Collins were not trying to keep their relationship a secret. “It’s been so long since I did anything embarrassing,” he told Vogue. “I hope people will give us a bit of a break.”
Oliver Hoffmann
Born into a German family of musicians, Oliver Hoffmann began making music in his teens after learning to play guitar. He then went on to study electrical engineering at university. The DJ, producer and entrepreneur later founded the record label Planet 5. A firm believer in supporting local communities, Hoffmann has also created a number of successful businesses from the ground up, including the lifestyle platform BeekmanYachtExchange.com, which connects yacht owners with yacht brokers.
Hoffmann has been married twice. He first married Dutch model Melissa Affonso in 2010. The couple later went on to have twins, Leo and Lola. The singer and songwriter has been romantically linked to British model Emily Raffell since 2016. The two have been photographed together at a number of high profile events, including the Cannes Film Festival and the Victoria Beckham fashion show. It’s not yet known when or if Hoffmann and Raffell will wed.
Transition To Commitment
While it’s great to see that Pattinson has found happiness with Collins and is no longer content to live life as a private citizen, the transition to a more stable and committed relationship comes with challenges. Since he became a father, the actor has had to adjust his habits and spend more time with his family. “It’s a funny old world, isn’t it?” he told Vogue in 2014. “We make our bed our office, our playroom, our dining room—basically anywhere we want to be. It can be exhausting. I want to make sure I still have time for myself.”
But these are all issues that any new parent faces. And it seems that all three are doing well. In April this year, the couple welcomed their first child together. A baby girl named Florence Marion was born. While this is an incredible milestone for the happy family, it also puts an extra burden on the shoulders of a working father. “I worry that this won’t leave me much time for my private life,” Pattinson admitted to the Daily Mail. “But this is a choice and, if I’m happy being a parent, then I’m happy being a working parent. I want to spend as much time as I can with my family and make sure that they feel that they can rely on me.”
It’s interesting to see how much can change in a year. In early 2016, it was rare to see Pattinson outside a hotel room or a premiere. Now, it’s a completely different ballgame. The actor is no longer a bachelor, having tied the knot with British singer and songwriter Collins. And he hasn’t just dated other women—he’s also dated other men, which he admits has helped him “see the world in a different way.” While the world awaits the next chapter in Pattinson’s life, we can take a look back at the past year and celebrate the fact that this “bachelor” has found contentment and happiness.