Is it possible to fall in love with someone you’ve never even met? Perhaps, but that seems to be the case for Kristen Stewart and Rob Pattinson. The couple originally hails from different sides of the pond, with Rob being an English actor and pop singer, with a film career that spans back to 2005. While Kristen has more of a celebrity status from her years as an actress on the big screen, the pair seem firmly committed to one another despite their geographical and professional separation. It would appear that their feelings for one another go beyond friendship, as they have continually flaunted their passionate nature in public – sometimes to the scrutiny of the paparazzi!
Whether you’re a Kristen fan or a Rob enthusiast, it would be hard to deny that their personal relationship has captured the imagination of followers across the pond and beyond, inspiring numerous parodies and memes, not to mention a 2017 biopic, Never Say Never, that traced their courtship and subsequent turbulent marriage. The film, which was largely panned by critics, went on to become a viral hit, racking up over 500 million views on YouTube alone, proving that there’s a (self-centered) market for enamorsickness even several years after its theatrical release. That’s some serious fan dedication!
But while we’re obsessed with the couple’s personal lives, it’s important to remember that they’re also business partners – or, rather, former business partners. As a former member of the band Kids in Glass Houses, Rob was initially signed to Stewart’s company, Pere Marquette PR, before they embarked on their professional relationship. It was under this agreement that they worked together on the 2016 film, Can I Be Honest?, which saw Rob play a fictionalized version of himself. Although they’ve since gone their separate ways, they continue to work together from time to time, particularly in the area of brand communication. And let’s face it – at this point in their careers, they’re more than capable of working together (as friends) for the good of their joint projects.
The Rumor Mill
Although we may never know exactly how or why they fell in love with one another (rumors persist that there was some kind of supernatural intervention involved – maybe Buffy the Vampire Slayer was right after all!), we do know that their relationship was initially kept secret, with news of their engagement breaking in the summer of 2016. Since then, it’s been non-stop media coverage, with the couple frequently collaborating with the media to shed more light on their lives, love story and adventures together. Their frequent promotional activity has undoubtedly helped fuel their rapidly growing fandom, with followers frequently seeking out their latest exploits and sharing their experiences in glowing terms. This kind of attention can certainly be attractive to someone of a younger generation, who may have grown up feeling somewhat disenfranchised by social media – the platform through which many of their generation’s defining moments have been broadcast to the world!
Whether or not you buy into the rumors that their collaboration is somehow fated, it would be hard to deny that these two are certainly made for one another. Their personal stories are incredibly compelling, not to mention their ability to make each other both laugh and cry. More importantly, they have a clear appreciation for one another’s unique talents and can bring something vital to the table when working together. It’s clear that they have a real connection, and that’s something to be cherished.
Their status as the world’s most famous young engaged couple is clearly a result of their unwavering commitment to one another. And, as we’ve seen from their public profiles, they clearly value the impact they can have on others, frequently using their social media platforms to promote charitable causes and projects that they believe in. Of course, we don’t mean to suggest that celebrity is an inherently positive quality, especially when associated with someone of such a young age. But it’s certainly clear that, for now, these two are happy to trade on their fame for the greater good – and why shouldn’t they? The world needs more couples like this, committed to creating an impact in their lifetimes and making the most of every situation, good or bad.
It would appear that their desire to change the world for the better has not gone unheeded, as both have been outspoken advocates for various charities. For example, the couple teamed up with the ONE charity to launch the #HeForShe campaign in support of women’s rights. They also collaborated with the ACLU to launch a youth initiative supporting the rights of younger generations. Although their activities are undoubtedly admirable, it’s important to remember that this is still primarily a publicity stunt. But, hey, if it means that more people will donate to worthy causes, then it’s certainly worth it. They have also been vocal advocates for the LGBTQ+ community, penning multiple articles for Out magazine in support of marriage equality and hosting an event in New York City to raise awareness about LGBTQ+ issues. It’s great to see celebrities speaking up on behalf of the community, but it would be even greater if their efforts manifested in tangible ways. Unfortunately, at this point, these are empty gestures, as same-sex marriage remains illegal in the United States.
The Pro and Con
Although their personal lives are now headline news, it wasn’t always the case. The pair initially kept their relationship under wraps, with Rob only making a handful of onscreen appearances between 2006 and 2011. But, since the start of this year, they’ve been a constant presence on our screens, with multiple red-carpet appearances and multiple interviews promoting their new film, Pattinson. Additionally, their candid and frequently hilarious Instagram stories are must-reads for anyone who wants to keep up with the latest in their wildly popular on-screen partnership. Many fans have expressed their love for the story-telling tool, with some even going so far as to call it “humble” and “underrated”.
The benefits of this intense media presence are clearly evident – they have achieved something that most 20th century icons only dreamt of: iconic status. But this newfound recognition comes with with its own unique set of challenges, as the intense public scrutiny that comes with being the world’s most famous couple has undoubtedly made many of their fans feel that they have an obligation to scrutinize everything the couple does. The idea that anyone would want to watch or listen to them constantly, simply for the sake of entertainment, is more than a little insulting! There are also clearly concerns about the toll that this constant promotion has taken on their bodies; the couple have both admitted to trying to keep up with the “perfect” Instagram posts, and it’s clear that this is taking a serious physical toll on them. Rob, in particular, has expressed frustration at not being able to work out the way he wants to due to schedules and photo shoots, while Kristen has spoken of not feeling comfortable being a two-dimensional representation of herself. So, while their fame allows them to do incredible things, it’s also brought with it a certain amount of scrutiny – and a lot of people don’t like to be looked at!
Where Do They Go From Here?
It’s hard to tell what’s next for these two. It began as a courtship built on a shared interest in painting – something that still remains a hobby for them and is clearly a passion that they share. Looking ahead, there seem to be many projects in the works, both for themselves and for charity; on their own behalf, they have several movies in development, including a biographical film about the life of Grace Kelly, as well as a contemporary love story that follows the trials and tribulations of modern-day couple. For charity, they are working with designers to produce a capsule collection of bespoke artwork; something that will, no doubt, be sold to raise money for a good cause. It’s clear that this is just the beginning for this famous young couple, whose personal and professional lives will continue to inspire awe and delight for years to come.