The latest issue of Vanity Fair features an unforgettable cover story on Robert Pattinson, starring on the cover together with his “Bella” (as she will be referred to from here on out). To celebrate the upcoming premiere of his latest film, The Lost City of Z, we’ve put together a list of the top ten things you need to know about our favorite Twi-Lang–Swedish actor. Read on for the lowdown on what you need to know about Robert Pattinson.
He’s Been In The Media Since The Start
It’s safe to say that Robert Pattinson has been in the media’s crosshairs since the very beginning. With so much hype surrounding the premiere of his directorial debut, the London-born actor was a natural choice for the cover of Vanity Fair magazine. However, it was the publication’s decision to nickname the blonde beauty “Bella” that catapulted her into superstardom. (She rejected the idea of being called “Rob’s girlfriend,” which she insists she never was.)
The nickname stuck, and ever since then Bella has been the subject of numerous catty comments and intense media scrutiny. If this is your first exposure to Bella, it’s probably safe to assume that she’s a bit of a media darling. The fact that she has been in the public eye for years now means that she’s bound to have made her share of enemies along the way. From what we’ve gathered, Rob’s personal life has been his own personal hell. It seems he’s had a hard time keeping a relationship with a woman for longer than a few months. (Or maybe it’s the other way around—we can never be sure with Rob.)
He’s Directed Film And Short Films (But Is Best Known For His Work In Music Videos)
While it’s exciting to see a celebrity finally break out of the mold of traditional stardom and carve out his or her own niche in the entertainment industry, Rob’s transition to the big screen has had its downsides. After all, it’s not easy to break into a crowded field of Hollywood stars, and it’s taken its toll on his personal life. Robert Pattinson has done a terrific job of showing us a different side of himself and his acting skills in films like Twilight and its sequels. However, it’s important to keep in mind that these were mostly music videos or shorts that were made for his own amusement. (In fact, he had to fight to get some of them financed, as they were mostly conceived as one-offs. It’s safe to assume that these days, the only film roles on his résumé are the ones he’s been offered by major brands or Hollywood studios.)
Whether or not you approve of his taste in women (or men for that matter), it’s undeniable that Rob has a gift for the camera. If you thought that his film career was cut short because of his personal life, then you’d be mistaken. Aside from directing and starring in his debut film, Pattinson also wrote the screenplay for The Lost City of Z. He’s one busy guy. (In a separate interview with Vanity Fair, Robert said he doesn’t regret a moment of his career. It seems he’s found his niche as an actor, and he’s sticking with it.)
He Gained Some Weight For The Role Of King Louis XVI In The 2017 Netflix Series, The White Princess
Another side effect of Rob’s transition to the big screen has been his gradual transformation into a bit of a blimp. While he was never particularly well-known for his incredible athleticism, he did play football for his uni back in London. (Which explains the arms, baring a bit of a chunky, soccer-player build.) At the same time, Louis XVI is one of the characters in the upcoming Netflix series, The White Princess. It’s been described as a combination of Sex and The Crown, and it seems clear that Rob’s experience as the iconic King Louis was an important factor in his portrayal. (One of the things that drew us to his work in the first place was his ability to convincingly play both male and female characters. As an actor, that’s a skill all its own.)
The White Princess will be released in October of this year, so if you’ve been holding out for some King Louis action, then this is your lucky month.
One of the most interesting facts about Robert Pattinson is that his father is an esteemed photographer. While it’s not surprising that a son would follow in his father’s footsteps, it is interesting to see how much this has affected his personal life and career. It seems that when he was growing up, his father’s influence was key in his decision to pursue photography as a career. (It’s also one of the reasons why he was able to break out of the mold and carve out his own niche in the entertainment industry.) It wouldn’t be a secret that Robert’s career as an actor has had its ups and downs. At times, it’s seemed as if the deck was stacked against him. However, he’s never shied away from a challenge, and I think that’s what has kept him going. (It also helps that he’s never really fit into any particular category. He’s always been known for being a bit of a chameleon. While he can play the part of a varsity jock, a swashbuckler or a dashing prince, he can also be spotted walking the red carpet in a fluffy dress or a leather jacket. So, yes, sometimes the cards are indeed stacked against him, but he’s never really let that get in the way of his good times.)
He’s The Face Of Numerous Popular Brands (But Is Best Known For His Work Independent Of Brand Marketing)
We can’t talk about Robert Pattinson without mentioning the brands he’s associated with. It seems like every other week there’s some new brand launching an entire collection in his honor. (Not to mention the fact that nearly every major makeup brand has done an entire line of cosmetics or face products in homage to the actor.) (From here on out, we’re going to refer to this phenomenon as “The Robert Pattinson Effect.”) If you’re unfamiliar, Brands like these exist because they know there’s a lucrative market in gifting luxury goods to celebrities and royalty. For decades, brand marketing has been the primary method for celebrities to promote their products. However, as social media has shifted the way we communicate, celebrities have been forced to adapt, and they’ve started to avail themselves of new platforms like TikTok to stay relevant.
This has resulted in a whole new type of celebrity, one that is mostly engaged with their audience via social media. If you want to follow in the footsteps of one of the most recognizable figures in Hollywood, creating content for a brand that you believe in is essential. (It also helps if you have an incredible personality that draws people in, and a good sense of humor. Robert has all of these qualities, and it seems like he’s used them to great effect.
It would be remiss of us not to mention the numerous awards and nominations Robert has picked up along the way. From a Golden Globe nomination for best actor in a limited series or TV movie (The Lost City of Z) to a BAFTA nomination for best emerging talent (Twilight), it’s clear that all of this was completely avoidable. (In fact, many of these accolades were well-deserved. It’s clear that Robert has risen above all the odds, and he’s shown himself to be a force to be reckoned with. It’s also clear that he’s having fun, as he’s always been the master of putting on a good show. Even when he wasn’t finding much success as an actor, he would find ways to entertain his fans, with stunts or via videos of him singing and playing guitar. He still considers himself primarily a musician at heart, as the majority of his work over the years has always been in music videos or short films. In fact, he had to fight to get some of his shorts and music videos financed, as they were mostly conceived as one-offs. It’s safe to assume that these days, the only film roles on his résumé are the ones he’s been offered by major brands or Hollywood studios. However, he could always make the occasional independent film, which is exactly what he did after Twilight.
The point is that if you’re ever asked to name a famous face that represents your brand, you’ll undoubtedly think of Robert Pattinson. It’s fair to say that he’s one of the most recognizable and in-demand faces in Hollywood. (The other famous faces associated with these brands include George Clooney and Brad Pitt. If you want to get really fancy, you could also include Leonardo DiCaprio and Al Pacino in there as well. We could go on all night.)