When Harry met Z

LETTER TO THE PRESS

Have wanted to write a letter responding to all those questions the media seems to be fascinated about.

You guys have been putting out so many lame news about us. Ever since the beginning. I get it, we needed promotion then, we needed to be out there. But you guys never ever knew the truth, or bothered to find out, you guys distorted everything, our personalities, our lives, our careers, you took anything that you needed from us.

Before I became a "superstar" I had some respect for the media. I still do. Except for the tabloids.

Am thinking on writing to you with some honest thoughts. But, on one hand, who am I to debunk the fake stories you write? I guess you need to make a living. On the other hand, do I really want to do a tell-all? Most probably not. However, I want to say a few things, because I am tired of having to "fake it", am tired to please you, to go along with your narrative. I am tired of fearing you guys. 

Most of my friends and entourage sign NDAs. You must be aware of that. When you interview us we have the questions beforehand, and we do bar certain questions, some are off-limits, and most of you accept that, and report on fake news. You know that? Why no one has approached me to learn the truth? 

There has been a few reports, one by Rolling Stones, I think. It was getting close to a few things intimate, but the reporter -sorry to say- didn't dig deep enough. The reporter was amazed why my mother hugged me when during the Stevie Nicks concert I became gloomy when she sang "Landslide". 

Even that reporter (one of the best I have spoken to) didn't ask me why. I guess shallow is your trademark (sorry to be so blunt, it is not arrogance, it is frustration).

Very seldom I have encountered journalists who walked the extra mile to understand us. Like, who is Harry Styles, or what my life is about. 

Most of you love to say I am "handsome", a "heartthrob", you always link me to some girl, you always ask me about my celebrity crush, and who is this or that song about. Aren't you bored of asking the same questions, over and over again?

Do you really want to know our reality? Or you just want to put your news out as soon as possible, to get it out before noon, before the competition, you just want your news to get lots of "play", to earn "clicks", you only worry on getting "scoops", to maybe earn awards?

Do you really care about the people who you interview?

What would you do if I tell you that I love a man? What would you do? How is that going to change my voice, my lyrics, my image, my talent? Would you let us live in peace? Would you?

Do you know that it is in part because of you that I might lose the person I care, love, respect, admire, the person who has brought the most joy to my life, the person who holds my soul,  my heart, my mind, the person to whom I belong. 

Do you know that he lives in fear? He has nightmares of the media repercussions if we go public. Not because of our fame, but because of how media might portray us. Our love is simple. Just like anyone who has ever loved, rich or poor, black or white. Our love is simple but it needs space, time and care to survive. 

If I write you an honest letter, would you give us peace? Would you let us live in peace respecting our boundaries, our vulnerabilities, would you take the time to try to understand and portray us accurately? 

This is an honest question I am asking. I believe strongly we have done nothing wrong. We only fell in love, and there is not much more to say, at least to strangers, or to people who don't really care. 

People die, people are born everyday, people fall in love, it is part of life. I want to put out my music, I need that, but I also want to have the life any human being aspires to. 

I am willing to make a pact with any responsible journalist or media, to tell my full story with the condition they portray everything, EVERYTHING with respect and dignity.

Why am putting an emphasis on respect? Because the person I love, the love of my life, is someone who, in a strange way, is perceived already differently. Ever since the beginning of our band, he was always shy, he never wanted to speak to the media, he wanted to lay low, and the media often ignored him, didn't ask him questions; you know why? Because he is different. Do you know what I am talking about? Maybe some sort of racism? Maybe? I was considered the "heartthrob" when he is the cutest of us all, I was considered the star of the group, when he is a much better singer. Why the discrimination?

But, again, everything has two sides. That's exactly how our relationship started. I was disgusted by how he was treated by the media, and some of the public, so an impulse to protect him ignited in me. Maybe I have a sense of justice in me, I am naturally inclined to help those who are abused or discriminated against. Hey, I am no hero. I am just telling you how my relationship started. 

Because, I hated how you guys treated him, so I started putting him forward, praising him, saying that he was handsome in public, etcetera.

Who would have known, that is what paved the way for our friendship, complicity and later on- love. In a weird way, I have you to thank for that. Your mistreatment of him pushed me to get closer to him. 

This letter is not finished, will continue later.