Harry Styles is working on his second album, loves Van Morrison’s “Madame George,” and hasn’t looked at a peach the same way since Call Me By Your Name.
These are just some of the things fans will learn about the singer from his conversation with actor Timothée Chalamet for i-D Magazine.
Styles interviewed Chalamet and the two bonded over keeping journals, limiting exposure to social media, and challenging masculinity.
On having a journal, Styles explained: “I always find it helps with writing songs. Even if it’s just bullet points to make me stop and keep track of what’s happening.”
Added Chalamet: “Gratitude and appreciating where you are is very important to me, but that comes with time. Having enough time to write in a journal or simply be thankful.”
Styles asked Chalamet if he feels a responsibility to represent a new form of masculinity on screen.
“I would say absolutely,” he replied. “I would be so thrilled to know that the roles I’m playing are instigating change in some way.”
Styles weighed in. “There’s so much masculinity in being vulnerable and allowing yourself to be feminine, and I’m very comfortable with that,” he said. “Today it’s easier to embrace masculinity in so many different things. I definitely find – through music, writing, talking with friends and being open – that some of the times when I feel most confident is when I’m allowing myself to be vulnerable.”
Chalamet responded: “That’s really beautiful and inspiring.”
Both young men are cautious about social media – Styles called it “weird self-torture” and Chalamet described it as “masochistic.”
The conversation has its lighter moments, too. Chalamet revealed that his go-to karaoke song is Nirvana’s “Heart Shaped Box,” and that he sleeps in the nude. Asked to choose between Jay-Z and Beyoncé he replied: “That’s a no win because they’re both so awesome. JayBay.”
The actor was equally diplomatic about picking Cardi B or Nicki Minaj.
"Oh my god... Look, Nicki went to my high school but… Cardi’s a legend so why can’t we all just love each other?,” said Chalamet. “I wish they’d never got into that fight. That was so surreal. Look, Nicki’s a legend, Cardi’s bringing that heat.”
And, of course, Styles had to ask the question on the minds of everyone who witnessed that sticky scene in Call Me By Your Name: “Can you still eat peaches?”
Chalamet laughed and said, “Umm I can, but not without thinking about it…"
“I’ve had a hard time,” Styles admitted.