It’s been a rough couple of months for Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart. After spending much of 2019 apart, the couple announced their engagement in a romantic Instagram post on December 31, 2019. The following day, it was revealed that Stewart had cheated on Pattinson with her Twilight co-star and manager of her wedding party, William Levy. While the 35-year-old Kristen has yet to comment on the scandal, it’s been reported that she has broken off her engagement to Pattinson. It’s a devastating blow for the actor, who’d long been vocal about his feelings for Stewart. Here’s a roundup of all the details regarding the cheating scandal and what it means for Pattinson and Stewart’s future together.
Cheating Scandal Rocks Their Relationship
The news of Stewart’s affair with Levy broke on January 3, 2020, when a source who wished to remain anonymous told Entertainment Tonight that the actress’ former fiance had been informed of her infidelity prior to their January 2nd commitment ceremony. According to the insider, the betrayal and discovery of the affair led to a very public breakup. As a result of the scandal, Stewart’s representatives have since stepped in to prevent further media appearances and protect their client’s mental and physical wellbeing. It was also reported that the cheating scandal had serious ramifications for the couple’s shared custody of their 11-year-old son, Cosmo.
In a statement to People, a rep for Stewart said:
“We ask that you respect our privacy while we work through this difficult time.”
Who Is William Levy?
Levy is best known for his role as Jacob Black in Twilight (2008) and its three sequels. He also starred in the 2010 comedy What If, and recently reprised the role for the upcoming Twilight: Breaking Dawn – Part II (aka Breaking Dawn). The 54-year-old actor is now starring in the upcoming drama series Hunters, for which he recently won a Golden Globe, and will be seen in the upcoming comedy What If Miles Is Right?
In the wake of the cheating scandal, it’s been revealed that Robert Pattinson and Kristen Stewart’s assistant was also at one point married to the actor’s best friend, Jason Figgis. Levy and Figgis, who like Stewart and Pattinson, are all Scientologists, were previously wed in a private ceremony in England in 1999. While Figgis and Levy have since split, they remain close friends with Stewart and Pattinson. As a result of the scandal, Figgis has distanced himself from the actor, as have several of their mutual friends. In a joint statement to Entertainment Tonight, Stewart and Pattinson apologized for the “pain and hurt” their actions have caused. They pledged to work hard to repair their professional and personal relationships with their friends and fans.
What Is The Scientology Connection?
Though neither Pattinson nor Stewart have publicly commented on the specifics of the scandal, it was first reported on January 5, 2020 that Stewart’s representatives had stepped in to protect and mitigate the impact of the cheating scandal. In an interview with Entertainment Tonight, Pattinson’s rep said that he and Stewart had been advised by their lawyers to take a “PAID FAMILY LEAVE” while they sorted out their personal issues. The rep for the couple added that they hoped to work through the issue as a team and wanted to assure their fans that they remain committed to their shared custody of their son, Cosmo.
Many celebrity scientologists have managed to keep their involvement in the Church under wraps for years, but the Church does have a “list of suspects” that it actively recruits under the pretense of being a fan of Hubbard’s invention, the Dianetic Method. According to the Church, members are encouraged to delve into the science of thought to better understand and analyze the material world around them. Though the Church does not officially condone infidelity, it’s widely known that many of its members are liberated enough to explore alternative lifestyles and open relationships. Perhaps not coincidentally, many high-ranking Church officials are prominent advocates for LGBT+ rights.
With all their shared interests and activities – including their passionate support for animal rights – it’s no wonder that Stewart and Pattinson have been seen around the globe multiple times supporting each other on their respective social media accounts.