Harry Styles is defending himself against critics who have accused him of “queerbaiting.”
“Sometimes people say, ‘You’ve only publicly been with women,’ and I don’t think I’ve publicly been with anyone,” the singer told Rolling Stone, when asked about the allegations that he profits off 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 have a public relationship or something.”
Styles, 28, has had fans split on whether he’s actually “queerbaiting” or simply being himself and dressing how he wants to dress – much like David Bowie and Mick Jagger did before him.
“Non labelling their sexuality is the new way for straight men like Harry Styles to get away with queerbait and avoid the straight white man privilege backlash,” one user tweeted.
“don’t know how many times this need to be said but HARRY STYLES DOES NOT QUEERBAIT- YOU JUST ASSUME EVERY FLAMBOYANT MAN WHO HAS GREAT STYLE AND LOOKS AFTER THEMSELF IS GAY he has said MULTIPLE times he’s not comfortable labeling himself- don’t force it let him LIVE,” a second fan wrote in defense of Styles.
The former One Direction frontman, who has notoriously kept his love life private, previously acknowledged that it felt “outdated” for him to specify his sexuality.
“I’ve been really open with it with my friends, but that’s my personal experience; it’s mine,” the “As It Was” singer told Better Homes and Gardens in April.
“The whole point of where we should be heading, which is toward accepting everybody and being more open, is that it doesn’t matter, and it’s about not having to label everything, not having to clarify what boxes you’re checking.”
Styles has been publicly dating Olivia Wilde since January 2021 after meeting on the set of “Don’t Worry Darling” – which Wilde, 38, directed and Styles stars in.
Ever since they struck up a romance, some of Styles’ fans have not exactly been on board with it, taking to social media to express their opinions on everything from their age gap to Wilde’s quirky dance moves.
“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,” Styles told Rolling Stone of the backlash Wilde has received from some of his fans.
“I just wanted to sing. I didn’t want to get into it if I was going to hurt people like that.”
The outlet also spoke to Wilde, who said she finds Styles’ fanbase to be mostly “deeply loving people,” despite some social media hate.
“What I don’t understand about the cruelty you’re referencing is that that kind of toxic negativity is the antithesis of Harry, and everything he puts out there,” she explained.
“I don’t personally believe the hateful energy defines his fan base at all. 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 entangled in an ongoing custody battle over their son Otis, 8, and daughter Daisy, 5.
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