Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde are finally addressing the “toxic negativity” some fans have aimed at their relationship online.
The singer, 28, admitted that hateful comments about his partner, 38, “obviously” don’t make him “feel good” in his September cover story feature for Rolling Stone.
“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,” the former One Direction member explained.
“I just wanted to sing,” he added. “I didn’t want to get into it if I was going to hurt people like that.”
Wilde was also interviewed for the piece, calling most of Styles’ fans “deeply loving people” and “true champions of kindness.”
“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,” the actress said.
“I don’t personally believe the hateful energy defines his fan base at all.”
The couple went public with their romance in January 2021. They met the previous year while working on “Don’t Worry Darling,” which is set to be released on Sept. 23.
The pair have been private about their relationship, with Styles noting Monday that he is not “choosing to have a public relationship” by stepping out with Wilde — as the duo did Thursday in New York City.
The “X Factor” alum also defended himself against “queerbaiting” accusations Monday, saying, “Sometimes people say, ‘You’ve only publicly been with women,’ and I don’t think I’ve publicly been with anyone.”
Although Styles rarely speaks about his romance with Wilde, he has addressed their working relationship. In May, he complimented the “Booksmart” director in a conversation with Howard Stern.
“I had a wonderful experience being directed by Olivia,” the Grammy winner said of his upcoming movie with Florence Pugh. “Acting is kind of very uncomfortable at times. … It requires a lot of trust if you want to kind of give it everything.
“I think being able to trust your director is a gift, so that was very helpful,” he continued.
As for Wilde, the “O.C.” alum told Vogue in December 2021 that it has been “tempting to correct a false narrative” when asked about her romance.
“When you’re really happy it doesn’t matter what strangers think about you,” she said at the time. “All that matters to you is what’s real, and what you love, and who you love.”
The “House” alum was previously engaged to Jason Sudeikis from 2013 to 2020, and the former couple share son Otis, 8, and daughter Daisy, 5.
Wilde and her ex-fiancé are currently battling for custody of the little ones.
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