A controversial piece about Harry Styles
A man with no need of introduction, stan him or hate him, Harry Styles is one of the biggest names in popular culture today. With an estimated net worth of £63 million and an impressive 36 million Instagram followers, it’s safe to say Styles has his fair share of influence within the public sphere. Along with his army of fans, appraisal of the charming Mancunian seems to appear on every corner of the internet. However, does a pop singer who is a self-proclaimed narcissist deserve this constant reinforcement of ego?
Before going into the bad and the ugly, we must look at the good Styles has done for youth culture internationally. For one, his music is empowering and subjectively enjoyable, this is obvious due to the 1 billion streams his song ‘Watermelon sugar’ has accumulated on Spotify. His sense of style is impeccable and is a walking exhibition for fashion and beauty brands alike. He is a vocal supporter of the LGBTQA+ community and donated a pair of rainbow shoes to London Friend, a charity which advocates for LGBTQA+ mental health and wellbeing services. He donated $1.2 million of the profits of his tour to 62 charities across the globe. Along with many more acts of kindness, Harry Styles is undoubtedly a lovely, caring man. Nevertheless, it is damaging to believe one human being is devoid from flaws.
Stan culture perpetuates this by putting all faith into a celebrity and not accepting criticism of them. Then when it is revealed the celebrity has done awful things in the past they get cancelled. It goes without saying that if someone is a belligerent racist it’s extremely difficult to support them; but finding out they are not as kind as they make out to be isn’t grounds for dismissal of their art. For this exact reason this piece is written in no way to bash Styles, however, it is to bring to light the issue with ‘Stanning’ him, or anyone for that matter. Firstly, Styles has been with a plethora of women, this in itself is not an issue. Nevertheless, when you take into account most were blonde, white and slim it creates a problem. This is in no way saying someone is not allowed a sexual preference or ‘type’. However, for a man who claims to see beauty in all people, of all bodies and ethnicities, why are his relationships privy to what is socially acceptable or even socially ‘elite’? His love of the patriarchal standard of beauty creates a desire for young women to look similar, those obsessed with Styles, who are seriously infatuated with the man, will change their appearance to feel desirable. They are being indoctrinated into believing this is the one and only definition of beauty. He also publically slut-shamed model Kendall Jenner, his ex- girlfriend. Suggesting, despite his supposed respect for women, it doesn’t translate into respect for his exes. He praises Lizzo, for owning her sexuality, however, when it comes to his own sex life he doesn’t appear to have respect for the women involved.
His kiss with James Cordon on national television was not funny it was blatant ‘queer-baiting’. Although Styles has said he doesn’t put a label on his sexuality, this kiss as an attempt of comedy is extremely unproductive. James Hall from High No Sobriety agrees explaining:
“The fact remains that straight men get praised for being open to kissing other dudes, whereas gay men just open themselves up to homophobia. When someone like Cordon locks lips with another guy, it’s deemed acceptable because he isn’t a "threat," whereas gay men are still treated as sexual predators.”
It is definitely difficult to say whether or not Styles is in the wrong here as it was Cordon who kissed him, however, most of the time these skits are rehearsed so you would assume he would have been aware of it prior. Styles is, in fact, at the top of the pile, as a white male, he is extremely privileged. This is not his fault, however, he should make more effort to amplify voices of those who are socially or economically underprivileged. He does do this often but for someone with so much power, money and influence, not often enough.
Harry Styles is adored globally and rightly so. However, this does not mean we should use him as the model of the perfect man. Perfection doesn’t exist, and in believing so you perpetuate ideas of hierarchy and inequality. Remember this when looking at all celebrities, they are no different to you, they are simply normal people who got lucky. They shouldn’t be put on such an unattainable pedestal.
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