Harry Styles and his girlfriend actress and director, Olivia Wilde, have opened up about toxic fandom.
In a new cover story for Rolling Stone, the two stressed that the toxicity doesn’t comprise the majority of his fandom, but the negativity in certain circles can be oppressive.
“What I don’t understand about the cruelty…is that that kind of toxic negativity is the antithesis of Harry, and everything he puts out there,” she told RS. “I don’t personally believe the hateful energy defines his fan base at all. The majority of them are true champions of kindness.”
Specifically, certains fans have criticized the couple’s 10 year age difference. They’ve combed through Wilde’s Twitter account to find damning posts made years ago. They watch and mock her every move. A few days ago, we posted an article about newly crowned American Idol Noah Thompson and how certain pockets of his fandom have directed negativity to his friend and fellow Idol, HunterGirl.
Now, multiply that craziness exponentially, and it’s no wonder Harry strives to keep his personal life as private as possible.
Watch Harry Styles Surreal “Late Night Talking” Music Video
He told Rolling Stone that there is a conversation he has to have early in a relationship. “Can you imagine,” he said, “going on a second date with someone and being like, ‘OK, there’s this corner of the thing, and they’re going to say this, and it’s going to be really crazy, and they’re going to be really mean, and it’s not real.… But anyway, what do you want to eat?’?”
“I just wanted to sing”
Overall, the toxic part of his fandom “obviously doesn’t make me feel good,” he stressed. “It’s obviously a difficult feeling to feel like being close to me means you’re at the ransom of a corner of Twitter or something,” he said. “I just wanted to sing. I didn’t want to get into it if I was going to hurt people like that.”
Harry met Wilde while filming Don’t Worry Darling, an upcoming thriller that Wilde directed. Harry stars alongside Florence Pugh in the film, which is set to be released Sept. 23. Meanwhile, Harry is at the height of superstardom, selling out arenas and stadiums all over the world. His single “As it Was” from his latest album Harry’s House is his biggest hit yet, setting streaming records and topping the charts in more than two dozen countries, including 10 weeks straight in the United States.
During his days as a member of the wildly popular boy band One Direction, Harry had to deal with conspiracy theories from fans insisting he and fellow band member Louis Tomlinson were in a “secret” relationship. Girlfriends and baby mamas were not treated kindly, to say the least.
