‘The Invite’ Star Olivia Wilde Responds to Critics Over Harry Styles Age Gap

Olivia Wilde has addressed the intense public scrutiny she faced during her relationship with singer Harry Styles, revealing that the criticism regarding their 10-year age gap was hard to comprehend and had a significant impact on her.

In a recent appearance on the “Call Her Daddy” podcast, Wilde reflected on the backlash that arose when she and Styles began dating. “It really did upset people. It was crazy,” the actress remarked, noting that she is still trying to grasp why the reaction was so intense.

Wilde and Styles first crossed paths while collaborating on the 2022 film ‘Don’t Worry Darling’, which Wilde directed. Their romance began in 2021, shortly after Wilde’s split from actor Jason Sudeikis, with whom she shares two children. The couple’s relationship quickly became a hot topic, with many focusing on their age difference, the timing of their romance, and their professional collaboration.

Wilde has previously refuted any claims of overlap between her relationship with Styles and her breakup with Sudeikis. In her latest interview, she suggested that much of the criticism stemmed from broader societal attitudes towards women.

“I know that it has existed for a long time in our society, like, I understand it had very little to do with me,” Wilde stated on the podcast. She pointed out that societal judgments on women dating younger men have persisted for years and questioned why such relationships continue to face harsh scrutiny. “People were f**ing pissed,” she added.

The actress also touched on the unique pressures of dating someone as famous as Styles. She suggested that some of the backlash might have originated from fans’ strong emotional ties to the singer, often described as parasocial relationships.

Speaking about Styles without directly naming him, Wilde commended how he manages public attention. “It is a burden that is very weighty and not something I envy, and he carries it with grace,” she noted. She described their relationship as private and meaningful, despite the external noise.

“We had the loveliest relationship, like, so sweet and so beautiful and, like, really actually very domestic and kind and lovely,” Wilde shared. She explained that they managed to create a private space away from public scrutiny. “I think that we existed in this little bubble and the judgment never really got into that bubble,” she added.

Wilde also recalled attending Styles’ Love on Tour concerts and how some fans reacted to her enjoying herself in the audience. She linked those experiences to broader societal expectations placed on women, especially mothers.

“In this country, motherhood means, ‘No more sexual being for you, young lady. That part of you is over now,’” Wilde remarked. She argued that women often face judgment when they continue to embrace their lives after becoming mothers.

Wilde and Styles eventually parted ways in 2022. Since then, Styles has been linked to actress Zoë Kravitz, with reports suggesting they may be engaged. Wilde’s comments on the podcast provided one of her most detailed reflections on their relationship and the public reaction it generated.

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