While it was great to see actress Kristen Stewart pick up a Golden Globe on Sunday night for her portrayal of a lesbian marriage in the upcoming movie Rainbow, it was an absolute delight to see Robert Pattinson make his debut as a standup comic last night (10Jan19).
Pattinson’s set was certainly funny, but it was his take on mental health issues that really struck a chord with the audience. The actor opened up about his own struggles with depression while sharing stories about some of the crazy things he’s done in the past. (We’re talking to you, candid camera prankster!) It’s no wonder audiences showed up in such large numbers, as his set was one of the highlights of this year’s Golden Globe Awards.
Pattinson’s first standup set was certainly not your usual Hollywood (or silver screen) material, as he touched on topics ranging from his love of Harry Potter to mental illness. Here is the full transcript of what he said:
The Harry Potter Phenomenon
When he came out on stage, the capacity crowd at the Greek Theatre in LA cheered loudly. (It’s worth noting that the theater is located just a few blocks from the set of the Harry Potter films.)
The 33-year-old actor admitted that he had been a ‘really big fan’ of the series, which he said inspired him to take the stage last night. (He was later joined by his co-star Helena Bonham-Carter, who plays Hermione Granger, for a special duet.)
Pattinson said that he initially considered doing stand-up just to appear in the Harry Potter film franchise, whose final installment, The Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, was released last year. (The Harry Potter franchise is the biggest of its kind, having generated well over a billion dollars in revenue since its inception in 2001.)
‘I just thought it would be fun to do stand-up while playing a wizard,’ he said. ‘But then I got the chance to do a couple of films, and it became apparent that this is actually something that I could do.’
Mental Health Issues
Pattinson’s standup routine last night was heavily focused on mental health issues, especially depression. He opened the set with a joke about killing himself. (He later apologized for the “bad language,” though the joke itself isn’t dirty in the slightest.)
The actor then described how he had attempted suicide in the past. (He had previously attempted to overdose on pills, but had since moved on to drinking.) At the time of his most recent attempt, in 2017, he was in hospital for two weeks. (He had ended up in the ICU after hanging himself, taking down a tree on the way down.)
‘I started to see a therapist, and started talking about how I wasn’t feeling happy and how I could improve my mental health,’ he said. (He also attended Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW), an annual event, in October.)
Pattinson then shared how he had been reading a lot of books about depression, saying that his therapist had prescribed him a bunch of them. (His favorite quote from one of the books was: ‘You need to find your dark side, but not your light one.’) He joked that the only thing he’s not allowed to read is any Stephen King novel, as they make him ‘very nervous.’
The actor then discussed his personal experiences with depression, saying that he had been hospitalized for six months when he was younger. (He had also attempted suicide by jumping off a building when he was a teenager.)
‘There was a point where I was taking antidepressants, antipsychotics, and I still wasn’t feeling any better,’ he told the crowd. ‘I went to see a therapist, and she suggested that I try stand-up comedy.’
Pattinson then discussed some of the mental health issues that he has since overcome, saying that he no longer takes medication for depression or anxiety. (He does, however, still see a therapist, and is open about his mental health issues now, as a result.)
‘I’ve made a lot of bad decisions in my life, and the worst thing you can do is hide it from the world. (…) I’m not perfect. I’m not going to change. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’ve found a way to forgive myself.’
Pattinson’s comedy set lasted for more than an hour, and he appeared to thoroughly enjoy himself, cracking jokes frequently throughout the performance. (The applause following his set was also quite hearty.)
The actor then appeared on stage with co-star Helena Bonham-Carter, who plays Hermione Granger, for a special, extended duet. (It was their first time performing together on stage, though they have previously starred in the films adaptation of Les Miserables and Beauty And The Beast.)
‘When I saw Robert at a stand-up comedy show a few weeks ago, I didn’t know that he would be speaking about mental health,’ said Garth Bingham, a stand-up comedian who now works with Pattinson. (He added: ‘I did, however, expect him to be funny.’)
‘Usually, when an actor does stand-up comedy, it’s very formal,’ Bingham continued. ‘You’ve got to talk about yourself and your experience, and you can’t just make jokes about other people. (…) But Robert isn’t doing that. He’s connecting with the audience, and he isn’t shy about sharing personal stories about his life.’
While Pattinson’s comedy debut wasn’t as funny as some of his other recent accomplishments, such as Dazed and confused (the Academy Award-winning film he co-wrote and starred in), it was clear that he had a lot of fun on stage. (When the songs from the film Rainbow started playing afterward, there was a packed house, suggesting that many people, including those whoattended a Golden Globe winner’s debut standup set, liked what they saw.)
Hopefully, other celebrities will begin speaking out about mental health issues, as it can be such a painful subject to keep hidden. When it comes to depression and anxiety, many people, especially those in the creative industry, keep it a secret, as they think it’s not that great an idea to admit to having an “uplifting” moment. (Natalie Portman was recently forced to apologize for post-Oscars jokes about her bipolar disorder.)
If you or someone you know is feeling down, don’t be ashamed to talk about it. You’re entitled to feel happy and hopeful, even if you’re not feeling that way most of the time. (Even if you do fall into the trap of thinking you’re no good, you’re still good inside.)
The Importance Of Perspective
Many people, even those who haven’t had mental health issues, might find Pattinson’s story hard to believe, as it’s not something you’d typically hear a celebrity admit to. (He had, after all, just won a Golden Globe for best performance by an actor in a motion picture – drama.)
Still, this is the world we now live in. We are constantly bombarded with images and ideas about mental illness, and it’s important to remember that these are largely stereotypes.