If you’ve been following the YouTube community for any significant period of time, you’ll know that we’re always on the lookout for the next biggest and the next most attractive stars to feature on our platform. Over the last few months, we’ve been fortunate enough to watch as a number of household names have risen to fame simply by striking a webcam session or two and then capitalizing on the viral phenomenon that ensued.
While they might not necessarily have the bank balance of a Hollywood superstar, these YouTubers have nevertheless managed to rack up a combined view count that’s quite simply breathtaking. As much of the audience that comes back for more grows to love these content creators more and more, it’s only fair to say that their rise to fame can be attributed to an abundance of skill and talent that wasn’t necessarily born with them.
One of the biggest name-droppers in this category is, of course, the former Disney star and YouTube mega-viral sensation, Robert Pattinson. After rising to fame back in 2011 with a viral video of him lip-syncing to Taylor Swift’s “Shake It Off”, the Great British Actor has truly established himself as one of the most in-demand names in the industry. Over the years, we’ve seen him show up to film premieres dressed to the nines in custom-made designer outfits, as well as turn up the volume on his luxury accessory collection (not to mention that he’s been photographed wearing a lot of the products he promotes).
With his S/S 20 collection set to be released this month (July 2020), the time was surely right for us to catch up with him and learn more about his fashion sense, his future plans, and what it means to be the next big thing on YouTube.
The Designer
Before we begin, it’s pertinent to note that Robert Pattinson is not a designer. However, the great British actor has styled a number of renowned brands in the past, and he’s always been particularly selective when choosing the clothes that he promotes. He’s never shied away from a good design, but he’s also always appreciated unique pieces that aren’t necessarily constructed by big companies. For example, in the past, he’s shown a lot of love for Dior and Off-White.
On The Rise
With a combined view count above the one billion mark, we’re sure that Robert Pattinson’s fans will be delighted to hear that the actor has a number of exciting projects on the go right now. Not only does he have S/S 20 coming up but he’s also signed on to play the lead role in the upcoming biopic, The Lord of the Rings director, Peter Jackson’s much anticipated Mortal Engulfment. The highly anticipated director’s cut of King Kong has just been released, and according to critics, it’s his best movie yet. As well as co-starring with Felicity Jones and Sienna Miller, Peter Jackson’s newest film will also feature some familiar faces from the director’s earlier movies, such as Hugo Weaving and Rachel Weisz. As we’ve established, design is one of Robert Pattinson’s great passions, and it’s always been a part of his acting career. Now that he’s in demand as a designer, we know that he’ll be able to pick and choose some amazing outfits for the role. And since it’s a period piece, we can expect to see a lavish array of vintage cars and epic scenery.
An Enthusiastic Collector
If you’re a car enthusiast, you’ll no doubt have heard of the Mercedes Benz G63 AMG, and if you’re a fan of luxury accessories, you’ll know the value that this magnificent specimen holds. Aside from being one of the most powerful and luxurious cars to exist, this particular model is also renowned for its exquisite design and unique style. Naturally, when a car collector gets a hold of something this rare and special, they don’t just keep it in their garage for showtime – they take it out for a spin, and that’s precisely what Robert Pattinson does with his prized possession. He’s frequently been photographed with the luxury vehicle, proudly displaying it from behind the wheel.
Style Meets Function
As well as having an extensive and impressive collection of luxury accessories, it’s also been reported that the great British actor is a firm believer in quality over quantity. When we think about fashion and style on the red carpet, it’s often the designer outfits that we remember – not necessarily the accessories. So, it’s important to note that when we talk about Robert Pattinson’s look on the red carpet, it’s often the outfits that we’re referring to, rather than the accessories. In many of the interviews that we watched, he was often given more attention to the accessories than the outfit, and that’s probably because his style is generally more subtle than flashy. He knows how to put together a great look without going over the top, and that’s why fans have begun to love him more and more as time has gone by.
YouTube Star
As much as we’d love to claim that we’ve been keeping tabs on Robert Pattinson ever since that fateful day back in 2011 when his lip-syncing to Taylor Swift went viral, the truth is that we really didn’t give it much thought until recently. Up until recently, the only role that we thought of when we thought of Robert Pattinson was that of King Kong. As we’ve established, design is a huge passion for the actor, and it was only late last year that we began to see the emergence of a more mature and sophisticated side to his work. Now that we are seeing this evolution, it’s only natural that we should seek to identify the factors that have led to this metamorphosis.
The Change Begins
If we take a stroll down memory lane, it’s quite easy to spot the trigger that changed everything. Back in 2011, Taylor Swift released her album, Red, and word spread quickly that she’d collaborated with a young Hollywood wunderkind, named Jack Antonoff, on the record. In addition to styling the vocals for Swift’s “Shake It Off”, Antonoff also composed the album’s intro and outro music, and he produced several of its songs along with Swift. The album was a critical and commercial success, topping the US Billboard 200 and the UK Albums Chart, as well as earning Swift her first Grammy.
With Antonoff’s production skills and charisma, it’s no wonder that Swift’s team chose him to produce her album’s various songs, and soon after, he became one of the most sought-after and in-demand producers in the industry. It was only a matter of time before the world discovered that Taylor Swift had a serious musical side that went beyond just her stunning vocals, and it’s been an uphill battle for Robert Pattinson to stake his claim in this emerging genre. He’s frequently turned to social media to show off his musical side, often performing covers of popular songs or posting videos of him playing guitar or the organ.
Antonoff’s Production Style
Even if you’ve never really listened to Taylor Swift before, you’ll know exactly what kind of production she needs. An eclectic mix of pop, rock, and country music with sweeping orchestras and memorable hooks, you’ll be able to identify a song by the artist if you’ve even heard of them. One of the main reasons why Antonoff’s production style is so memorable is that it’s frequently far from conventional. He isn’t afraid to layer on the effects, using every trick in the book to imbue his productions with an otherworldly atmosphere, and he frequently collaborates with other top-notch producers in the industry to do the same.
The Dark Side
Just because Antonoff’s a great guy doesn’t mean that everything’s perfect. Like most celebrities, we’re sure that he has his quirks and, like many others, they sometimes manifest themselves in bad behavior. It’s a side of the superstar that he hides from the public, but it’s something that his team and his handlers are well aware of. In a 2009 interview with Rolling Stone, Swift spoke about her first meeting with Antonoff, and how he initially seemed like a nice enough guy, but then he began to abuse her trust. According to Swift, after she’d given him a taste of success, he began to exploit her for the success that he’d found.
“Jack really took advantage of me when I was 21 and he was 29. He manipulated me, he played me, and he took credit for all my work,” she said. “I want to be clear that I’m not trying to harm his career or his reputation in any way, but I want the facts to be heard.”