#harry’s image

[tobethemselves]

People are commenting on how Harry’s whole persona and style feel extremely performative. Since his vogue cover he has not worn a dress either, so it seems very much like an act he put on to make more money, while never actually being interested in fashion like that. Also he’s never actually served any looks or dated a man so that could also be why ppl think he’s straight lol.

So I’m giving you the benefit of the doubt anon because english is not my first language but for me it sounds like you’re one of those people you’re talking about… Anyhow

Yes I saw the accusations about him queerbaiting. And to be honest with you I really really hate it. Not only because of Harry but also because of the massage that sends to all those baby queers who now think they have to act, dress or look a certain way to call themselves queer. Again:

The word queerbaiting came from fictional characters who often were invented from straight people who used to tease the queerness of said character as a marketing strategy to attract a wider audience for their show or movie even though in the end nothing queer ever happened to not make the homophobic part of the audience mad.

I don’t know how often it has to be said until it reaches every single brain out there but here we go again

A real person can’t queerbait.

Clothes don’t have a gender and don’t have a sexuality, there is no right way to look queer or straight. And there is no right or wrong way to dress queer.

Apart from that it’s totally normal to dress differently while being on stage then when you’re travelling/ at home/ in your comfort clothes. That fact has nothing to do with Harry’s interests in fashion. For real do you expect him to go on a train ride in one of his stage outfits? Not very comfy and not really clever if he doesn’t want to attract a bunch of fans.

Also, how do you know he never wore a dress since?

Everyone is so fast to judge as soon as it’s a celebrity often forgetting that they are humans too just like me and you. And humans have layers. Thousands of them. There is no way to know someone’s sexuality based on a different hairstyle and a few pictures.

And about your last point. Well you wrote an anonymous massage to a larry blog. So I think my opinion about if he ever dated men or not is pretty clear.

[awesomefringey]

Harry is dating an actress at the same time, he is going back with his ex, he got a tattoo of his other ex's name, he is dating his coach, with his friend who is getting married. He's a womanizer, homebreaker, bi, straight, he's public but he's private. He has 25 different personalities...

[twopoppies]

Queer male artists in their prime, the majority of whom were marketed towards a heterosexual female audience and heavily sexualised:

1960’s/70’s - Elton John

1970’s/80’s - Freddie Mercury

1980’s/90’s - George Michael

1990’s/00’s - Ricky Martin

2010’s/20’s - Harry Styles

We’re literally living through the Harry Styles era that will be looked back on in the future with questions of ‘how the hell did his fans not know he was gay?’

[skepticalarrie]

i am quite new to larry. i’m in my twenties but still fully missed the whole one direction phenomenon until two weeks ago when I saw one (1) tiktok of harry performing satellite and it has been all consuming since. what’s so strange to me about the whole experience (and i know this is not unique) is there’s no way i have thought of to talk about it with anyone irl. like how do i convincingly impress upon anyone how sincere i am in saying that these two former members of the 21st century’s most ubiquitous (and straightest™) boyband — including pop culture’s current golden boy — are actually exceedingly queer and closeted and now soul crushingly important to me as a queer person??? it’s just so contrary to the commonly accepted narrative of them, which i know is the whole damn point, but jesus. all i’ve been able to do is say “hey you should do some research about one direction lore, it’s interesting” and hope my friends accidentally fall down the rabbit hole too. tis a wild and wacky time.

This message would never feel as relatable to me as it feels right now. Because you’re right, it’s not a thing you really talk about in real life, it sounds insane.

I want to share something about Harry, specifically. I wasn’t sure if I would want to share that in the first place, but since you just sent this ask I thought it would fit this discussion just right and it literally just happened in my life. I’m sure a lot of people can relate to that. I’ve been a fan for several years now and I always got away just fine with it with people IRL, I don’t really talk much about it. But apparently now everyone in my social circle is completely in love with golden boy Harry Styles, and well… people happened to notice within the last year I’m a big fan. I just went to a bunch of his shows last week and people definitely noticed that even more. I had A LOT of friends coming to me saying all kinds of things, but mostly how hot he is. *Thank god he’s single now* was something I’ve had to sit through a couple of times. And fuck… it was by far the most uncomfortable situation I’ve ever been in all the years of being a fan, it was intense, he truly causes a reaction on people and I wasn’t expecting that. The kind of things some people say about artists just because they’re famous is just… yikes. And I’m talking about friends of mine, good people, treating him like a piece of meat, like he’s not human. People don’t even realise he’s just a normal guy behind all the fame and marketing. And I’m not going to be hypocritical and say I never treated artists like that because I must have at some point, it’s such an easy concept but somehow it’s very hard to realise how human they are unless you *really* look at them and listen to what they’re saying.

Anyway, it was a very devastating situation. I was uncomfortable enough once or twice to tell people to give up thirsting over him because he wouldn’t fuck them anyway, and they should look it up online because he was definitely not straight. I was *angry*, it really got to me. And people actually looked at me like I had completely lost my fucking mind. Like, what do you mean you don’t want to fuck him?? why do you love him so much then?? So it’s what you said, maybe some of them will look up and accept the idea that closeting may be a possibility, and that’s why a lot of queer fans connect with him so much... but who the fuck knows, they probably won’t. But it truly hit me like a ton of bricks how far deep in the closet he is, most people (in my very LGBTQ+ circle) don’t even consider the possibility even though he’s out there waving pride flags every single show and defying gender norms. I’m definitely keeping it more to myself now than I was before.

[kiwikiwiandkiwi]

the need the press (and everyone) has to reduce everything harry does to something sexual - as if harry styles, outside his “womanizer/sexy god persona”, is not someone interesting enough to be talked about. it’s fucking ridiculous and so dishonest to harry’s hard work, (and not to be dramatic) it breaks my heart that this is all people can see

[blackandwhlteaesthetlc]

I agree with you that the general public perception of Harry is that he isn't straight. Thanks for saying it! I thought I was going crazy because so many people push the narrative that the gp thinks he is straight when I see the complete opposite. They have always speculated about his sexuality.

Apologies for the late response, anon! I should clarify I definitely think it’s a mixed bag of impressions from the gp, like Amy pointed out. There’s a loud portion of our community that also labels him a queerbaiter and nothing hurts my heart more. Then you have all the headlines about Watermelon Sugar being the “pussy eating” song and it was his biggest hit before AIW. But the majority thinking he’s straight now? No, that I don’t see either despite everything.

Maybe a few years ago the general perception of Harry was that he was a rock star lothario that left Taylor Swift scorned while he went off to bang a slew of VS models, Kendal Jenner included. But in more recent years since he went solo, especially in these last two? No, I see many more people questioning that previous image. It took a lot to get here but I see the tides turning outside of our fandom bubble. It’s so reminiscent of Ricky Martin, at least from my perspective having family that loved him in his boy band years with Menudo. Then seeing him blow up with Living La Vida Loca having models hanging off of him in the music video. And now we’re here.

I hope Harry sees the tides turning too and feels the support in spite of everything else still going on.

[fallingsunflower]

https://sunflowerdiscussion.tumblr.com/post/694258617770295296/an-actual-quote-from-one-of-my-friends-whos-a

Oh, I talked to my older sister recently, she’s 30 and not into Harry but kinda into celebrities, and she brought up Harry/O/Flo/Shia/Jason all the dramas and said wtf Harry is doing in all this? She said that before Jeff’s wedding photos she used to be reading news about his achievements, career regularly, no drama, no personal life everywhere, and she was thinking “what a good guy, not like others in Hollywood” and then cheating scandal and she lost respect for him. And now his problematic relationship with very problematic woman is everywhere and causing even more drama. She’s not questioning if they are real or not, she doesn’t care, she believes in what he shows as this is what he wants people to believe in and she’s disgusted with him. He has cheapened his image so much.

yes this is so true 😭

in regards to this

[halos-little-freak]

Trying to please everyone may seem like a good plan but it never ever works out for long term marketing and PR, it’s going to backfire and when it backfires it’s never tame

[odogaronfang]

[awesomefringey]

i’ve never seen a bad and nasty recipe from people about H&L behavior, not even a fake one. we love and stan the right celebs don’t we!

This!

The TPWK brand stems from an honest place of gratitude and kindness. People who worked with Harry all swoon over him and I love it so much for him.

And with Louis it’s even more fascinating because he’s much more closed off and I can imagine he doesn’t let many people in and he’s got such a close-knit circle. (which Harry does too.) But those who are part of it, are the nicest and most down to earth people who praise the floor Louis walks on. It really reflects well on Louis. And people who worked with him all get starry-eyed. No bad word about him ever.

They prove that one can be successful in the entertainment industry without becoming an ass or creating a toxic work environment. They deserve the world!

[twopoppies]

Gina do you like the lyrics? And who is sally?

Hi, sugar. I do. I like the song a lot. But it’s sad, too. At least IMO. To me, it sounds like a song about his image and how people see him.

Sally isn’t a specific person, imo. He’s referring to himself. Again, referring to the narrative about who he is. 🫤

[skepticalarrie]

I don’t know where else to put my feelings but Harry and specifically Harry’s House really pulled me out of a dark dark place.

I love that sweet little weirdo bean and I truly believe he’s just a little weirdo. Somehow he’s a relatable awkward human.

Being in this fandom is so strange though because I’m an ace NB in my 30’s and GP (and his management apparently) just assume we all want to fuck H.

As disappointing as I find stunts I’m still rooting for him, and I feel fortunate to be alive at the same time as such a special human.

Harry’s womanizer image is so outdated. He’s someone who has something truly special going on, he’s the face of a new era, he represents so much to a lot of people, you can see other artists taking inspiration from him. And weirdly enough, Harry himself and his team seem to be the only ones who haven’t noticed that yet, they’re still stuck on that same old concept no one gives a fuck about.

[blackandwhlteaesthetlc]

So after some of us were discussing how Harry has had a huge image change since The Grammy's and he seems to have got rid of his womanizer image and it's taken years to do that, and the gp seem to be questioning his image and his sexuality... do you the LNT music vid is going to undo all that? I really don't understand why they spent years changing Harry's image (interviews, seeing more of his goofy side, Holivia (long term relationship) etc) just to show an orgy in bed with women, like old times. It wasn't but that's how the gp will see it and it's how it will be promoted, and will take even more years to get rid of it. They were on the right track and ruined it.

Hi, anon! No, I actually don’t think it will undo that progress. The few headlines I saw describing it as an orgy are to be expected. That doesn’t make it right, of course (in fact I grossed myself out just typing that 🤦🏻‍♀️) but I see it as nothing more than tabloid fodder. Easy click-bait, you know? People will expect something salacious then get Harry in adorable Gucci pjs having a pillow fight, eating pasta with a cute boy, and officiating a marriage ceremony between two women.

To your point about Holivia though, I do wonder if there’s some push back on that now (from Harry) considering how that’s proven to be a complete disaster. I think the intention WAS to make the album about her but he’s all but said in interviews it absolutely isn’t. And now, as you said, we have a video of him in bed with headlines about orgies. The bts photo he posted to Instagram, surrounded by other women, doesn’t exactly promote the image of a monogamous individual in a serious, long term relationship either. Of all the photos to choose, Harry went with that one. Hmm.

I’ll be honest, my thoughts aren’t completely formed on that particular point at the moment. To give you a more direct answer, @twopoppies actually just answered a similar ask too. As always, Gina worded her response better than I could so I’ll direct you there. ❤️

[u3pxx]

KIM KITSURAGI - “Is that. My kineema.”

COMPOSURE [Medium: Success] - Something in him is about to break, *big time*.

EMPATHY - And it’s not going to be pretty, do something!

- DRAMA [Formidable] - Everything is fine!

- “Sure is.”

DRAMA [Formidable: Failure] - Surely he’s aware that he’s not the *only* person in the world who owns a Kineema?

YOU - “Is it really *yours*? I mean, plenty of people have their own Kineemas, right? Like working men, government offices, uh, firefighters I guess, maybe even animal control people? Exactly! A million different people who could’ve driven it into the uh…”

DRAMA - Pause, my liege! Ixnay on the Ineemakay!

YOU - “It could even be our *mysterious* joyrider!”

KIM KITSURAGI - Your frenzied babbling falls deaf to the lieutenant's ears. Instead, he approaches the broken vehicle, sunken in the ice. He moves with a caution and gentleness you haven’t seen him display before.

INLAND EMPIRE - It must be cold and lonely down there, in the icy water. Maybe he could sense its sorrow, calling to him…

PERCEPTION (SIGHT) [Easy: Success] - His hands, which are always stiffly placed behind his back, are trembling.

ENDURANCE - This is the shuffle of a tired, tired man.

HALF LIGHT - He’s going to do something drastic because of you. Oh god, terrible! You’re a terrible liar! You can’t look at this, you just can’t!

VOLITION [Formidable: Success] - It's not *you* who drove his kineema into the sea. You have plenty of faults, but this one is decidedly not yours.

KIM KITSURAGI - He kneels down with his head bowed, casting his face in shadow. He plants a hand on the ice to stabilize himself, squinting to get a better view of the motor carriage. “Detective, it says ‘57’ on it.”

YOU - Sweat drips down your brow, and you feel a terrible headache coming. “Maybe our joyrider has an affinity for that number?”

LOGIC - He's not stupid, he knows that it's not that.

KIM KITSURAGI - “57.”

YOU - “What about 57?”, you brace yourself.

KIM KITSURAGI - “Precinct 57.”

YOU - You wince. “Kim, look-”

KIM KITSURAGI - “When I woke up in the Whirling-in-Rags with no memory of what happened during the days before, I've taken note that something of mine has gone missing.” He grits his teeth. "A very. Important. Something."

He runs his hands over his face, messing his already unkempt hair in the process. Regret creeps up on his features. “God. Fuck. They’re going to fire me over this, they’re not going to hear me out.”

EMPATHY - Desperation settles in the lieutenant's tone. Sadly, you find yourself in agreement, even if you don’t want it to be the truth.

YOU - “People are more valuable than machines, Kim.”

KIM KITSURAGI - “Not people like me.” He rasps.

YOU - “…”

KIM KITSURAGI - Before you can say anything more, you fail to notice the lieutenant carefully walking onto the edge of the ice. He looks over the frigid water, a dizzying blue that mirrors and distorts his exhausted face back to him.

YOU - “Kim?”

KIM KITSURAGI - Seconds pass as he looks to be contemplating something. Out of nowhere, he casually takes another step where the ice ends and the sea begins. It happens all too quick for the lieutenant to even voice a call for help— if he even wanted to — his body plunging into the cold water before your eyes.

YOU - “KIM!!!!”

uhhh bonus stuff? sorry i have swap au brainworms pfttt

(im not sure what skills kim has at the moment so rn he only has narration as his inner monologue ok whoops, i would like to keep harry as the guy who thinks in dialogue trees so im still figuring it out pfttt)

also, this was done bc i wanted to expand on these old scribbles of mine, just like an idea, i just think that he'd be having an even worse time wheezes

[ebysse]

the headmasters impart wisdom

[goth--moths]

Is this anything