Is Harry Styles bisexual?
Styles wows another crowd (Kevin Winter/Getty)
Since rising to stardom as part of One Direction in 2010, Harry Styles has rarely been out of the public eye, with everything from his trailblazing fashion sense to his sexuality coming under scrutiny.
More recently, the star has carved out a diverse and successful solo career. He released his self-titled debut album in May 2017, and is set to feature in the new Gucci tailoring campaign.
The musician has also tried his hand at acting, with a leading role in Christopher Nolan’s Academy Award-winning Dunkirk.
Alongside, the star has been romantically linked to a number of female celebs, including Taylor Swift, Caroline Flack, and Kendall Jenner.
(Getty)
Alongside his female love interests, questions have circulated around whether the musician is into guys, too, with his close friendships with Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw and ex-bandmate Louis Tomlinson repeatedly (and probably unfairly) being put under the microscope.
The star, who is an outspoken supporter of gay rights and has waved pride and transgender flags at his gigs, also has a big LGBTQ+ following.
Earlier this month, two fans arranged for 15,000 people to create a gigantic lit-up rainbow at his concert. And, on Twitter, he has been hailed as a “lesbian icon.”
(Twitter/HRBBtomlinson)
Of course there’s no need for Harry to define his sexuality. He doesn’t need to come out as a queer performer, whether he identifies as a part of the LGBTQ+ community or not.
He will always remain one of the community’s major allies.
Furthermore, Harry’s decision not to declare his sexuality publicly is his decision which demands our respect and if he chooses, his private life should stay private.
Harry’s new song has been described as a “bisexual anthem”
His latest track ‘Medicine’, which he revealed in a live performance in Paris last month, has been hailed as a “bi anthem” and left fans speculating about whether the tune was the singer’s way of coming out as bisexual.
Provided they are true, the lyrics do explicitly suggest that Harry is interested in both men and women.
Performing in the French capital, the 24-year-old sang: “The boys and the girls are here, I mess around with them, and I’m okay with it.”
He followed up the lyrics by singing: “I’m coming down, I figured out I kinda like it, and when I sleep I’m gonna dream of how you tasted.”Harry even appeared to use bisexual lighting for parts of the song.
The song sent fans on Twitter into meltdown.
One tweeted: “UPDATE: MEDICINE BY HARRY STYLES IS A BI ANTHEM. I REPEAT. IT IS A BI ANTHEM. CONFIRMED. I STAN FOREVER.”.
Another wrote: ““i was absent for a while but i’m back just to say that medicine is a bi anthem and i love one (1) man, harry styles.”
(Twitter/kaylinjonze)
Even America’s sweetheart, Olympic ice skater Adam Rippon, chimed in, saying: “And just like that, my skin is clear, my my vision is corrected, and I’m suddenly bisexual.”
Related: Harry Styles performs George Michael as he hints at being bisexual
(Twitter/adaripp)
The Guardian also joined in the discussion, publishing an op-ed under the headline “Two directions: why Harry Styles’ new song is a breakthrough for bisexual music fans.”
The star has previously avoided labels
Harry has largely avoided addressing his sexuality in interviews, but finally opened up on the subject in an interview with The Sun in May last year.
Asked if he has ever labelled himself, Harry responded: “No, I’ve never felt the need to really. No.
“I don’t feel like it’s something I’ve ever felt like I have to explain about myself.”
The singer also backed Wrecking Ball singer Miley Cyrus for coming out as pansexual, saying: “Being in a creative field, it’s important to be progressive.
“People doing stuff like that is great.”
Harry’s comments show that, even if he does like men and women, the star isn’t one for labelling himself.
Harry has broken away from his previous statements
The star’s decision to open up about his sexuality in May 2017 is a refreshing break away from his previous statements in interviews when he was in One Direction.
In a 2013 interview for the September issue of GQ Magazine, when asked if he is bisexual, he responded: “Bisexual? Me? I don’t think so. I’m pretty sure I’m not.”
If anything, the star’s more recent statements appear to suggest that he is happy to move away from binary labels for his sexuality.
Close friendships with Nick Grimshaw and Louis Tomlinson
Harry is friends with gay Radio One DJ Nick Grimshaw and former bandmate Louise Tomlinson – but it’s clear that both relationships are platonic, and don’t provide any further insight on the singer’s sexuality.
He addressed rumours around his friendship with Grimshaw in a 2013 interview for the September issue of GQ Magazine. When asked if the pair were an item, he said: “We’re not dating, no. We’re just friends.”
Meanwhile, Louis clarified that he is just friends with Harry – with fans dubbing the pair “Larry Stylinson” – in July last year, telling The Sun that he felt the romance rumours were “disrespectful” to his girlfriend Eleanor Calder.
In 2012, Louis also branded his rumoured relationship with Harry as “bullshit” on Twitter.
Harry also delighted fans when he kissed Late Late Show host James Corden during a festive edition of Carpool Karaoke – but again the pair are simply friends.
(Twitter/@Louis_Tomlinson)
Related: Harry Styles is a lesbian icon, say his fans
Does it really matter?
(Getty)
Whatever his sexuality, the singer remains an established LGBTQ+ icon, with his persistent support for queer issues.
And the star’s refusal to be labelled should be respected. He simply is who he is.
As he says in his new song ‘Medicine’, if he does “mess around” with girls and boys, then he’s “okay with it.”
