Robert Pattinson told GQ that he often lies and makes up stories in interviews when he panics and doesn't know what else to say. From claiming he only chews Extra brand gum to making up an entire restaurant concept, nothing is off the table when it comes to Pattinson's fibs.
Though Pattinson's penchant for lying in interviews is nothing new for long-time fans of the actor, with recent The Batman success, his tall tales are coming back to bite the former Twilight vamp. While there are far more out there, fans newly aware of his habit may want to know which are the best and most hilarious lies that Pattinson has ever told.
A Brit From Michigan
Following the successful release of the first movie in The Twilight Saga, Pattinson continued auditioning for roles in the United States. Having heard from casting directors in the past that his British accent could be an issue, Pattinson began auditioning as an American, often claiming he was from Michigan or Denver.
This plan backfired during an audition for Transformers 2 when producers recognized the British actor and were confused by his fake backstory.
Living Like A Troll
During a late show interview with host Jimmy Kimmel in 2012 to promote his movie Cosmopolis, Pattinson claimed he was homeless telling Kimmel, "I rented this archway and I just live behind it. In one of those trash cans."
Pattinson's living situation became a running gag in future interviews with Kimmel, telling the host that he had somehow gone downhill since living under a bridge and was crashing in a hotel room with only a pool float for furniture.
Attending RADA With Prince William
After Robert Pattinson's success as Cedric Diggory in Harry Potter and The Goblet of Fire, he struggled to find work in the industry. When anyone would ask him what he'd been working on during his acting hiatus, Pattinson would tell them that he'd attended the Royal Acadamy of Dramatic Arts with Prince William.
Pattinson recalls even telling some that he was a member of the royal family and had studied at Oxford, saying they believed him because of his British accent. Just as he was about to give up on acting altogether, Pattinson landed an audition for Edward Cullen in Twilight.
Two-Timing Tenet
Eager to become the next actor to join the live-action Batman club, Robert Pattinson was even willing to lie to director Christopher Nolan to make it to the auditions for The Batman. In the middle of shooting Nolan's Tenet on the Warner Brother's studio lot, Pattinson was told of the auditions for the masked vigilante being held in a nearby studio.
Pattinson called Nolan claiming he had a family emergency and wouldn't be able to film, giving him the opportunity to audition for the role. Pattinson's bold move ultimately paid off, though Nolan claimed to have seen through the lie after the fact.
Dirty Hair
Few of Pattinson's lies have stuck with him to the degree that his hygiene falsities have. When asked about his hair routine during an interview with the Chicago Tribune in 2012, he told the publication that the style was a result of "years and years of residue from not washing his hair".
Doubling down on the shocking confession, Pattinson explained that he also doesn't clean his apartment, saying "I have my apartment for sleeping in and my hair for hanging out on my head".
Not-So-Buff Batman
When news of Robert Pattinson's role of Bruce Wayne first broke, GQ asked the Brit the same question that every actor gets when taking on a major comic book hero — what intense workout routine have they adopted in preparation? Pattinson reported that he hadn't been doing anything different to get ready for The Batman, citing actor James Dean who didn't have to look ripped for his roles.
Pattinson later admitted in an interview with MovieMaker that the lie came back to haunt him, stating that he was discussing his exercise routines was embarrassing.
Handling A Stalker
In 2009, while speaking to the Metro UK about filming in Columbia, Pattinson told the interviewer how he handled a stalker outside of his hotel. Pattinson alleged that the girl stood outside of his hotel every day and that he became so bored and tired of watching her through his window that he asked her on a date.
During the date, Pattinson claims to have complained about everything in his life, essentially boring his stalker into disinterest. Pattinson says after that night, the girl never returned.
Handheld Pasta
In an in-depth discussion with GQ, Pattinson opened up about his tendency to shock and make up stories in interviews, citing his fear of being earnest as the cause. Almost immediately following that confession, Pattinson describes a business plan he has been working on for a fast-food style restaurant that serves handheld pasta.
Pattinson later admitted that he hoped the discussion of the concept alone would be enough to spark interest in the restaurant which he called "Little Pillow" after the appearance that the congealed pasta clump he created takes on.
Spider-Man Before He Was Spider-Man
Pattinson recalled during one interview having seen Spider-Man's Tom Holland dressed in a full Spider-Man costume long before he got the role, while the pair were filming The Lost City of Z in Columbia. Despite Pattinson's insistence, Holland had landed the role of Peter Parker 3 months before the filming of The Lost City of Z took place.
While this timeline makes it much more plausible that Holland would be walking around in costume, Pattinson's claim that he was the only person around to witness it combined with his track record for lying in interviews, makes the story unlikely.
The Dead Clown Incident
Robert Pattinson's most memorable lie to date involves exploding clown cars and circus trauma. In a televised interview for the Today Show during the promotional tour for Water For Elephants in 2011, Pattinson was asked about his experience with circuses. Pattinson replied, "First time I went to a circus, somebody died... One of the clowns died. [...] Its little car exploded."
Pattinson's ability to make up unbelievable stories and tell them with a straight face has been the scourge of a media-driven world obsessed with learning everything there is to know about celebrities.