Body shaming is a major problem in society. We constantly hear stories about individuals who have been victimised by their society. It’s a problem that continues to this day, and the most recent example of this is the actor Robert Pattinson.
The actor, who is currently dating the mother of his children, Kristen Stewart, recently appeared on the cover of British GQ, and inside the magazine, he was featured in an article about his fitness regime and how he stays in shape as a dad. Much like Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson is known for his on-screen relationships and infamous bad boy image. However, even though he’s been in a few relationships in his time, what he does for a living comes highly recommended, and being the son of Michael Pattinson, a neurologist, he’s no stranger to hard work.
The article gave an insight into Robert Pattinson’s fitness regime, and it turns out, he’s not a fan of wasting time. The publication wrote: “The last thing Robert Pattinson needs is another job. The actor has already worked hard his whole life. After graduating from drama school, he landed a role in Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban in 2004. This was followed by smaller parts in films like Stardust and Water for Elephants. In 2015, he starred in the dystopian thriller The Rover, which wrapped filming in 2016. He also appeared in the music video for “The Weekend” by Kygo.”
Robert Pattinson’s film career arguably began when he was just 18 years old. Since then, he’s appeared in numerous films, with his most recent credits including The Lighthouse, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, and the upcoming drama Velvet Buzzsaw. It would appear that Robert Pattinson is currently riding the wave of a career resurgence, and it’s not hard to see why. Not only is he one of the most talented young actors to emerge in recent years, but he’s also started a sustainable fashion brand named BOB, which stands for Boys Of Britain, and is inspired by what he calls his “natural male energy”.
Since the birth of his children, Robert Pattinson has been very conscious of their wellbeing. He has described his children as “the most important people in my life”, and made sure that they were protected from the media frenzy that often comes with celebrity. In fact, when asked about his six-year-old daughter Liv, he responded, “I don’t think most people have been given the opportunity to be a parent at that age. It’s something you’ll learn from, and you’ll realise that nothing in life is more important than your family and your children.”
It seems that this is an attitude that his children have inherited. In a rare interview with Elle, Olivia Wilde described how her own parenting style has been influenced by her famous parents. She said: “I try and be as natural as possible. My kids want to cuddle with their mommy and watch cartoons. I want them to think of me as their best friend, not their parent.”
In the highly anticipated X-Men: Dark Phoenix, which premieres in the UK on Tuesday, 19 February, Professor Xavier’s (James McAvoy) mutant powers are mysteriously failing. After a series of gruesome attacks, on both humans and mutants, he’s convinced that the only solution is to eliminate the competition by any means necessary. As a result, he assembles a team of elite mutants, which includes Storm (Alexandra Shipp), Nightcrawler (Johnny Depp), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), and Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), to investigate the root of the problem and to defeat it once and for all. The cast of characters is incredible, and each one of them is as powerful and impressive as the next. It’s safe to say that this is one film that everyone will be talking about when it comes out.
However, it’s not only the talented cast that makes X-Men: Dark Phoenix one of the most anticipated films of the year. The concept behind the film is also incredibly interesting, and it explores the idea of biological determinism, which is the idea that an individual’s traits are shaped by their DNA. In the article “New Mutants: Is the Genes Behind Our Destinies?” (The Atlantic), Megan McClelland wrote: “The X-Men films, while entertaining and often entertainingly insane, have never shied away from darker subject matter. The new movie, X-Men: Dark Phoenix, explores this idea further, as Professor X’s (James McAvoy) powers are mysteriously failing, prompting him to call upon a team of mutants to investigate the root of the problem and to defeat it once and for all.”
The article continues: “The film follows Professor X in a quasi-retirement, as he assembles a team of elite mutants, including Storm (Alexandra Shipp), Nightcrawler (Johnny Depp), Wolverine (Hugh Jackman), and Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman), to investigate the root of the problem and to defeat it once and for all. The movie is a reflection of today’s society, where individuals are judged by their appearance rather than their character, and it raises important questions about identity and biology. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, McAvoy described how the themes of the film relate to our world today: “You have Caitlyn (Kaitlyn Collins), who is a transgender woman fighting for acceptance in a world that isn’t exactly sure what to do with her. Logan (Hugh Jackman) is a man who is facing the end of his life, and you have these extraordinary characters, who aren’t necessarily of the mainstream, fighting for acceptance in a world that is often against them.”
The subject of identity is also addressed in the X-Men franchise, with a special focus on the character of Emma Frost (played by Jennifer Lawrence). In a recent interview with Vanity Fair, Lawrence discussed the evolution of her character over the years, and how she has seen her role fluctuate according to the current climate of LGBT+ acceptance.
“What I love about these movies is that you see such a wide range of relationships; you don’t just see love between a man and a woman, there are so many pairings, but it’s all positive,” she said. “I’ve always said that in a world where bullying is prevalent, it’s so important that we have films where the lead characters are together and they’re supporting each other. I don’t want my kids to see this world, but I want them to be part of creating a better one.”
Why Is This Problem Important?
We live in a world where body shaming still exists, and it’s often directed at those who don’t fit the so-called “perfect” mould. No one comes in one size, and due to poor diet and lack of exercise, many people are not meeting the standards that society has set for them. Even those who do work out often get bombarded with comments about their appearance, especially if they’re doing something that’s deemed “unusual” by the public. This could be spinning or dancing, and it doesn’t matter if you’ve been given a medal for your achievements or sportsmanship, if you’re different, you’ll be judged. Even now, people will judge you simply for the way you look. This is an important problem in today’s society. More and more people are falling victim to this problem, and there’s still no obvious solution. It’s a difficult subject to discuss, but it’s also one that needs to be talked about. It is often associated with depression and anxiety, which is why it’s so important that those who are affected come together and seek support.
What Does The Future Of Body Shaming Look Like?
It’s important to remember that we live in a world that is ever-changing, and this is something that those who are discriminated against will have to learn to live with. The world is a big place, and those who are different will always find a place, but it won’t always be in the fashion world. This is a place where those who are different are often vilified, but it’s an equally important place where we fight for those who can’t fight for themselves.
In today’s world, it’s hard to find a nice, safe place for those who are different. It’s safe to say that being different doesn’t guarantee that you’ll be accepted, but at least it gives you the opportunity to be yourself.
It would appear that the most recent Batman is no exception. Much like his on-screen counterpart, Robert Pattinson recently covered BOB’s spring/summer 2019 collection for Dazed, and he was even the star of the cover photo. While it’s great to see such a strong, positive representation in pop culture, it also means that we have to prepare for a tidal wave of paparazzi and speculation about his personal life. This is the world that Robert Pattinson and his family have had to learn to live in, but it’s also the world that we, as a society, need to accept and make more welcoming.