Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles have been going strong for almost a year now (the pair were first reported to be dating in January). And although they’ve been spotted making out on a yacht and Wilde has popped up at a number of Styles’ concerts, and they’ve matched outfits, both stars have been pretty quiet about their relationship — until now.
In a new interview with Vogue, Wilde commented on their relationship for the first time. The couple has come under fire from a number of Styles’ fans who disapprove of the couple’s 10-year age gap — Styles is 27 and Wilde is 37.
Related: Celebrity couples with surprisingly big age gaps.
“It’s obviously really tempting to correct a false narrative,” she said when asked if she wanted to comment on her love life. “But I think what you realize is that when you’re really happy, it doesn’t matter what strangers think about you. All that matters to you is what’s real, and what you love, and who you love.”
It’s pretty telling that, in Hollywood, only certain age gaps are frowned upon. No one has ever commented on the fact that Ryan Reynolds is 11 years older than Blake Lively, or that Adam Levine is nine years older than Behati Prinsloo. It appears it’s only scandalous when it’s the woman who is the older one in hetero relationships. But the Booksmart director explained that she’s ignoring what random people have to say.
“In the past 10 years, as a society, we have placed so much more value on the opinion of strangers rather than the people closest to us,” she said. “[But] I’m happier than I’ve ever been. And I’m healthier than I’ve ever been, and it’s just wonderful to feel that.”
Related: Harry Styles has a ‘Pleasing’ new beauty brand.
It’s the most we’ve gotten to hear about the pair directly from the couple. When Styles was asked about dating in his Dazed interview, he told the mag, “I’ve always tried to compartmentalize my personal life and my working life.”
Although Wilde didn’t mention Styles by name, it’s pretty clear that both of them are not going to let any criticism get to them. “I’m only willing to surround myself with people who are positive, and root for others,” she said near the end of the interview. “I choose kindness. I choose joy.”
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