Kristen Stewart has been famous for 20 years with over 40 films to her name, and feels that only now does she have a mature perspective on her life in the limelight.
The Twilight actress shared with the November issue of InStyle that as a 30-year-old she can comprehend the pressure she felt at being labeled a ‘lesbian’ at age 21; she now calls herself queer.
And the movie star from Los Angeles also told her Happiest Season director Clea DuVall that there was a reason she was so careful with her Robert Pattinson romance: ‘We did everything we could to not be photographed doing things—things that would become not ours.’
Hard to do in the spotlight: Kristen Stewart shared with the November issue of InStyle that as a 30-year-old she can comprehend the pressure she felt at being labeled a ‘lesbian’ at age 21; she now calls herself queer
The star also announced she quit drinking and smoking the day she turned 30.
Kristin was seen in a black bra top under a sheer black top as well as a red outfit as she modeled fall fashions for photographer Olivia Malone.
Stewart, who has been dating Dylan Meyer for one year, did not hold back when discussing her early days of romancing women.
‘The first time I ever dated a girl, I was immediately being asked if I was a lesbian,’ said the Panic Room star.
The first girl she was linked to was Alicia Cargile; they were together from 2014 until 2016.
‘And it’s like, “God, I’m 21 years old.” I felt like maybe there were things that have hurt people I’ve been with. Not because I felt ashamed of being openly gay but because I didn’t like giving myself to the public, in a way. It felt like such thievery.’
Her ex: And the movie star from Los Angeles also told her Happiest Season director Clea DuVall that there was a reason she was so careful about her relationship with Robert Pattinson: ‘We did everything we could to not be photographed doing things—things that would become not ours’
They dated: The star in gold with Pattinson during the Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn Part 2 film premiere in Berlin in 2012
Her early men: She also dated Michael Angarano (2005 – 2009), left, and the late Anton Yelchin (2004), right
She added that she was aware she was not being open.
The November issue of InStyle is available on newsstands, on Amazon, and for digital download October 23
‘This was a period of time when I was sort of cagey,’ admitted the Chanel model. After Alicia, she was linked to Soko (2016), St Vincent (2016), Stella Maxwell (2016 to 2019) then Sara Dinkin (2018 to 2019).
‘Even in my previous relationships, which were straight, we did everything we could to not be photographed doing things—things that would become not ours,’ offered the cover girl.
Her straight relationships were with David and Pattinson (2009 to 2013), Michael Angarano (2005 – 2009) and the late Anton Yelchin (2004).
‘So I think the added pressure of representing a group of people, of representing queerness, wasn’t something I understood then. Only now can I see it.’
The former child star also talked playing queer characters on screen; her most famous one was in Charlie’s Angels.
Girl talk: Stewart did not hold back when discussing her early days of romancing women. ‘The first time I ever dated a girl, I was immediately being asked if I was a lesbian,’ said the Panic Room star
Early love: With her girlfriend at the time Alicia Cargile in Los Feliz, Los Angeles in 2015
It’s love: Her current girlfriend is Dylan Meyer; they have been together for one year
‘The first couple of times I played queer characters, I was not [openly] queer yet. I’m drawn to stories and people for a reason, and I think, by default, I represent what I stand for.
‘I do think it’s important that we step into different roles and into other people’s shoes in order to really expand ourselves, albeit not ever taking up space for people who should be telling their own stories.’
And Kristen also shared she is happy with her latest film, Happiest Season: ‘It deals with very poignant things that, for me, are extremely affecting and triggering—even though now the word triggering triggers me more than anything in the whole world. [laughs].
‘But the movie is so funny and cute, and I loved the couple. They’re both people I really felt protective of in different ways, because I’ve been on both sides of that dynamic where someone is having a hard time acknowledging who they are and the other person is more self-accepting.
Listening to her fans: In a video clip from InStyle, Stewart answered questions from her fans
A good one: Stewart was asked who would play her if there was a movie of her life
‘I [personally] came into the more complex aspects of myself a little bit later. I never felt an immense shame, but I also don’t feel far away from that story, so I must have it in a latent sense.”
As far as working on the Twilight franchise when she was so young, she shares: ‘I was a kid. I definitely was never like, “OK, I’ve got this franchise on my back.” If anything, that is an outsider’s perspective, which is one that I can share with you only now. Then, I had no idea.’
The siren added that life under lockdown includes walking her dogs.
‘I feel horrible about the state of the world, so I’m donating money—but I’m not marching, and I’m feeling weird about it. I’m a frustrated optimist. I’m always thinking, It can’t be as bad as this.’
She also said she was drinking too much in the early says of COVID but she changed on her 30th birthday: ‘I woke up that day [April 9] and was like, “You need to get your ass in gear.” I was drinking too much in the beginning [of the pandemic], so I stopped drinking and smoking. I’m embarrassed because it sounds really cliché, but, whatever, it’s true.’
The November issue of InStyle, available on newsstands, on Amazon, and for digital download October 23.