“A year ago I couldn’t get a date. Now the world has gone backwards. I can have any 14 year old that I want.” says the British actor Robert Pattinson, who has become overnight, the new It Boy thanks to his character Edward Cullen. Move over Zac efron… Have you met the High School Musical star?
We met at an awards show. He’s the new face of success. But he’s all the opposite of what I thought he would be. He’s so honest and down to earth. You’d think he’s so prepared for the press, but he’s not.
What do fans say about you when they meet you in person?
They are increadibly opinionated. They have very clear ideas as to how I should live my life. Who knew 15 years old could be so moralistic?
Is it true that you did castings for vampire characters before?
Yes, I did an audition for True Blood, but that didn’t work out. I didn’t think I would get the role of Edward Cullen either, because the character is very enigmatic. I didn’t want to play the biggest vampire stereotype, so I tried to humanize him.
When you got the role a lot of fans were very angry….
They didn’t want me. They sent me hate messages and the Internet was full of comments. They said I looked like a bum.
Do you understand why Edward appeals so much to young girls?
No, I don’t get why people like this character in such an obsessive level. The fact that he’s so polite and opens doors for girls, all that. I don’t get why teenagers like this stuff.
Did you get along with Kristen Stewart?
In the beginning I thought: “She’s so serious, so I have to be very serious too”. And I went on without talking to her for like two weeks. She must have thought I was stuck up. I only spoke to her about the movie, other movies, books, serious stuff. But I felt like an idiot. I dropped the act and we got along great.
It’s been said on numerous occasions that you’re in love with her and that you proposed to her on the set of the movie…
I don’t remember that happening, but if that’s what she said, then it’s true.
How did your career being?
I started as a model when I was 12. I was the youngest one in the agency. I was so skinny, I looked like a girl, and back then the whole androgenous look was in. Then I did some amateur theater and then I began to go to castings.
And you were chosen for Reese Witherspoon’s movie Vanity Fair…
Yes, but my part was cut from the movie. That’s how I got Harry Potter, the casting director felt guilty.
Why didn’t you get more roles after Harry Potter?
I went on several auditions but they kept telling me I was scary….
And your agent sent you to LA to do more castings and you got the role of Edward. Weren’t you sent to media training after you were chosen for the role?
Yes. My agent kept getting messages like “he’s resisting the training!” (laughs), I just didn’t want to answer like I was a robot. Not even little children like to hear the same answers, it’s boring!
What have you been up to since you finished Twilight?
I’ve been living in LA. I learned how to drive and I’ve been exploring the city. It’s a very different culture from London. There isn’t many pubs and people here don’t get how normal it is in London to just go out for a beer. They think it’s bizarre.
Do you have a car yet?
A 1989 BMW convertible. The convertible top is broken, the dashboard caught on fire when I was driving and the back seats look like a dumpster with all my old trash. And I just hope the red button that just turned on isn’t something I should worry about. (laughs).
Have you made any new friends in Hollywood?
A couple. Most of them are from the industry. I go out with club promoters and PR people. I always get my picture taken coming out of the dodgiest places. It’s embarrasing. I went out everyday for like a week until I realized that people must think I was some sort of drunk.
What do you do on your spare time?
I’m a musician. I know all actors say they’re musicians, but I’ve been doing it for years. I play the piano since I was four and classical guitar since I was five. I just started playing blues and similar stuff. I’m not a virtuoso, but I’m not that bad either.
You used to be seen playing in little bars,
I did it a couple of times, until some people filmed me and put me up on youtube. They ruined the experience. Now it would be impossible to play again like that.
Who’s your favorite musician?
Van Morrison. I own all his albums.
Your sister is in the music business as well, isn’t she?
Lizzy had a very successful song with her band Aurora. My other sister works in advertising. I’m the youngest.
They treated you like their own doll, didn’t they?
They dressed me up like a girl, yes! (laughs). But it all changed when I turned 12.
You play Salvador Dali in you next movie, how was the experience?
It’s marked a before and an after. I got obsessed with Dali, read everything I could about him. It’s the first role in which I could reflect about it more seriously. He was the weirdest bloke, but I feel I understood him. He was very, very shy.
It looks like you have a bright future a head of you….
It’s funny how things change. After being unemployed for so long, you start thinking “I’m not gonna mess this up again”. So now, I’ll only think about how I’m going to play a role. My only concern is to not mess this up. I don’t want to be an idiot and that’s a real possibility.
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