Harry Styles defends himself against critics who have accused him of ‘queerbaiting’.
“Sometimes people say, ‘You’ve only been in public with women,’ and I don’t think I’ve been in public with anyone,” the singer told Rolling Stone, when asked about the allegations that he’s benefiting from perceived queer aesthetics without identifying with the community.
“If someone takes a picture of you with someone, it doesn’t mean you’re choosing to be in a public relationship or anything.”
Styles, 28, has split fans over whether he’s actually “queerbaiting” or just being himself and dressing the way he wants to dress — just like David Bowie and Mick Jagger did before him.
“Not labeling their sexuality is the new way for straight men like Harry Styles to get away with queerbait and avoid the backlash of straight white privilege,” one user tweeted.
“I don’t know how many times this has to be said, but HARRY STYLES DON’T DO QUEERBAIT – YOU ALL TAKE IT TO ANY FLAMBOYANT MAN WHO HAS GREAT STYLE AND TAKES CARE OF HIMSELF IS GAY he’s said SEVERAL times he’s not comfortable being label himself – don’t force it let him LIVE,” a second fan wrote in Styles’ defense.
The former One Direction frontman, who notoriously kept his love life private, previously acknowledged that it felt “outdated” for him to specify his sexuality.
“I’ve been very open about it with my friends, but that’s my personal experience; it’s mine,” the “As It Was” lead singer told Better Homes and Gardens in April.
“The whole point of where we should be going, which is to accept everyone and be more open, is that it doesn’t matter, and it’s about not having to label everything, not having to clarify which boxes you ticks.”
Styles has been publicly dating Olivia Wilde since January 2021 after meeting on the set of “Don’t Worry Darling” – in which Wilde, 38, directed and Styles stars.
Since they started a romance, some Styles fans weren’t really into it, taking to social media to express their views on everything from their age difference to Wilde’s quirky dance moves.
“It’s obviously a hard feeling to feel like you’re close to me, meaning you’re on a corner of Twitter or something,” Styles told Rolling Stone of the response Wilde has received from some of his fans. .
“I just wanted to sing. I didn’t want to go into it if I hurt people like that.”
The outlet also spoke to Wilde, who said she finds Styles’ fanbase to be mostly “deeply loving people,” despite some hate on social media.
“What I don’t understand about the cruelty you’re referring to is that that kind of toxic negativity is the antithesis of Harry and everything he puts out there,” she explained.
“Personally, I don’t believe the hateful energy defines his fan base. The majority of them are true champions of kindness.”
The ‘Life Itself’ actress made headlines when she ended her engagement to Jason Sudeikis in November 2020.
The two are currently embroiled in an ongoing custody battle for their son Otis, 8, and daughter Daisy, 5.