As we’ve established, Rob Pattinson is quite the celebrity – he’s the current darling of the British public, having taken them on a ride with his unique combination of eccentricity and romantic charm. But is he really such a unique specimen as to warrant this level of public interest?
To get to the root of this, let’s take a trip down memory lane. Back in 2012, the then-unknown Scottish actor was first brought to our attention thanks to his performance in the acclaimed indie movie Grand Tour. In it, he played the part of John, the goofy and loveable young son of the titular character (Emily Mortimer). We soon found out that the charming and well-mannered young man was actually a complete psycho. What’s more, his character was based on the true story of Fredric Werthwaite, an infamous serial killer who targeted wealthy women. So, with that in mind, let’s take a closer look at Robert Pattinson.
The Rise
Pattinson’s journey to Hollywood stardom was not altogether unexpected. Born in London on October 9, 1986, the actor grew up in Scotland and was raised by his Scottish actress mother and Welsh poet father. As a kid, he displayed an early affinity for drama, with a particular love of Victorian society. He went on to study English Literature at the University of Edinburgh, where he began performing in theater groups. After graduation and a stint in London, Pattinson returned to his native Scotland to pursue a career in acting. He quickly established himself in the industry, appearing in The Escapist, The Guard, and Red Road, all of which aired on television in 2017. He then went on to star in the 2018 indie comedy Life of Crime. More recently, he’s been seen in The Lighthouse, which came out in theaters earlier this year and is due for a VOD release soon; and in Robin Hood, which is due out next month.
The Downfall
Sadly, all good things must come to an end. And so it was that in October 2018, The Guardian reported that Pattinson’s marriage to actress Bella Hadid had collapsed. The couple had been together since 2015, and it was a romance that seemed almost made for the cameras. The couple’s star-studded wedding drew praise from across the industry. But apparently, their fairytale had a dark and stormy beginning. The actress filed for divorce in March 2019, citing irreconcilable differences. It was a devastating blow to the actor, who was 28 years old. Since then, he’s been seen mostly at charity events and private clubs in London, where he currently resides.
The Madness
This is one crazy dude. The press have a habit of giving unique, interesting individuals a fair amount of attention, but in this case, they might have gone too far. Besides being named one of the “Top-Earning YouTube Commentators” (really), Pattinson has also been described as “the Scottish Fredric Werthwaite”, “the British Jeffrey Dahmer”, and “the Scottish Jeremy Bessie”. In August 2019, it was reported that he had been arrested for an alleged assault on a woman at a London nightclub earlier that year. The incident, which was not his first arrest, stemmed from an incident at a private members’ club in London in April 2019. He was subsequently charged with two counts of violent disorder and affray. At the time of writing, his attorney told the press that his behavior had been “highly regrettable, but not criminal.” Still, it’s hard not to be skeptical about a man who’s been labeled a serial killer by the UK tabloids.
Then there’s this whole vampire thing. Pattinson has publicly embraced the supernatural, as he often tags his Twitter feed with vampire-related jokes. He’s also described his fans as his “blood brotherhood,” and has stated that he sees himself as a “vampire hunter”. As for the source of this affinity for things undead, it could be because of his mother. As previously noted, she’s a practicing witch, and in 2014 she revealed that she’s considered her son to be “a gift from the gods”. Sadly, she also told a GMA audience that she had seen enough of his antics to know that he was “not going to grow out of it”. So much for parenting skills. Whether he actually embraces these bizarre proclivities or is just playing up to the tabloids is unclear.
The Madness (Cont.)
Pattinson is not alone in his admiration for literary greats. In fact, he’s been compared to some of the great literary figures of the past, most notably Arthur Conan Doyle, creator of Heroes. While there are certainly eccentric literary greats, such as Oscar Wilde, it’s doubtful that anyone would match Conan Doyle’s unique blend of intellect and charm. And like Doyle, who inspired his character, Sherlock Holmes, Pattinson is clearly no shrinking violet. Doyle’s biographer, John Buchan, observed that Doyle possessed all the qualities needed to be a great detective: “brains, daring, perceptiveness, independence of mind, and a sense of fitness that are essential if one is to succeed in detective work.” What’s more, Doyle himself once stated that he hoped his fans would “one day follow me into crime-solving, as I do not intend to retire from the business. I may have slowed down now and then, but I have never quit.”
Perhaps the most revealing thing about Pattinson’s likability is the fact that even those who know very little about him go on to feel something when they meet him. As one fan put it on Twitter, “You’re really not sure what’s more appealing, the way he talks, acts, or dresses. There’s just something about him that breaks down social barriers.” Another agreed, stating that it was “easy to like” Robert Pattinson. Most fascinatingly, when fans meet him in person, they often comment on how polite and friendly he is, even when posing for pictures or talking to complete strangers. This authenticity is what makes him so relatable. It’s also what makes him so hard to like. You’re drawn to him not because you want to like him, but because you can’t help but be charmed by his charm. He makes you want to be his friend. And that, my friends, is not an easy feat. If you want to rise above the masses, you’d better be prepared to lock horns with everyone. Because no one is going to like you if you don’t like yourself.