Olivia Wilde Says ‘People Were F—ing Pissed’ by Her 10-Year Age Gap with Harry Styles

Olivia Wilde has openly reflected on her past relationship with Harry Styles, addressing the public backlash they faced due to their ten-year age difference and her previous engagement to Jason Sudeikis. In an episode of the Call Her Daddy podcast, Wilde shared insights about the nearly two-year romance with Styles, which garnered mixed reactions from the public and media.

During the interview, Wilde described her time with the 32-year-old pop star as “sweet” and “domestic”, stating that their relationship was marked by kindness and love. She emphasized the joy they shared despite the external judgement, stating, “I think that we existed in this, like, little bubble and the judgment never really got into that bubble.”

The actress, now 42, noted that comments about her and Styles’ age difference were particularly startling. “I don’t know how much I understand it yet,” Wilde remarked, admitting that the level of anger from observers surprised her. She suggested that the intense feelings of public sentiment stemmed from a “parasocial relationship” that fans had with Styles, describing it as a heavy burden for him to carry.

Wilde also addressed how her happiness during this period seemed to provoke negative responses from others. “I think that people were mad,” she recalled, recounting instances where she felt scrutinised during outings with Styles. She reflected on receiving critical remarks while enjoying concerts, suggesting that her joy appeared to anger some onlookers, as if her happiness was viewed as a threat.

The interview also touched upon Wilde’s breakup with Sudeikis, which had occurred the previous year, although she clarified that the split happened months prior to the public announcement. She recalled the easy-going attitude from the media regarding Sudeikis’ subsequent relationship with Keeley Hazell, which featured a similar age gap. “If I was away from my children on a national holiday, frolicking on a beach,” Wilde articulated, “it’d be like, ‘Just burn her at the stake now.’”

Wilde’s comments indicate a deep awareness of the disparity in media treatment between her and her ex-fiance, suggesting a double standard based on gender. She has expressed frustration with how her choices were scrutinised in contrast to the more favourable coverage of Sudeikis.

Despite the challenges, Wilde insisted that she and Styles cultivated a healthy and loving relationship. Describing it as a “lovely relationship”, she conveyed that, within their private life, they found peace and joy away from outside judgement.

As they navigated their time together in the spotlight, Wilde highlighted the effort both made to shield their relationship from negativity. This resilience and commitment to happiness, she believes, allowed them to flourish despite the unwanted scrutiny.

In closing, Wilde’s reflections not only provide insight into her personal experience but also shed light on the broader societal perceptions surrounding relationships with significant age differences, particularly regarding the treatment of women in similar situations. Her candid remarks reveal the complexities of love and celebrity culture, as well as the challenges that accompany public life.