Harry Styles has been the apple of the public’s eye for over a decade. Styles’ career began in 2010 with the boy band One Direction (2010-2015), which is commonly believed to be one of the best boy bands since the Backstreet Boys. Styles then went on to flourish in a solo career starting in 2017 with his self-titled debut album Harry Styles. But what makes Styles stand out amongst other artists? Is it his generosity and compassion for the underprivileged? Or maybe his support for various equal rights movements? Or maybe his attempts to demolish toxic masculinity and spread never-ending kindness through music. Maybe it’s all of the above.
Widely known as a compassionate person and philanthropist, Styles has raised and donated nearly $1.2 million dollars for over 62 charities around the world. Most of the donations took place during his 2017 tour “Live on Tour.” Not only has Styles donated his time and money, he also donated his hair. In 2016 the nation shook when the former member of One Direction decided to put an end to his three-year hair growth and donate it to The Little Princess Trust; a charity which provides wigs made from real hair to young girls who suffer from hair loss. Styles’ donations led thousands of fans nation-wide to also donate and show their support for the cause.
Styles is a huge advocate for equal rights. That was apparent in his support of the Black Lives Matter movement. The Black Lives Matter movement launched after the death of George Floyd. Floyd was publicly killed by a local police officer after being accused of using a counterfeit twenty dollar bill at a convenience store. This occured in 2020 at the beginning of quarantine. Floyd’s death began national protests upon the basis of Black Lives Matter. Styles took part in a peaceful protest in Los Angeles. Styles attended the protest with fellow singer and songwriter Al Shearer. While Styles opts to keep his charity work and daily activities to himself, Shearer was more open about his and Styles’ motives.
Shearer wrote on his Instagram story, “‘Black AND white makes it alright! STRONGER TOGETHER my brother from another mother @harrystyles changing the game!’”
Not only does Styles support equal rights movements when it comes to racial equality, he also openly supports the LGBTQ movement by proudly displaying various pride flags on stage while he performs.
His kindness is demonstrated through his donations to charity and his support for the LGBTQ movement. Styles sold merchandise on his official website (click here) and donated all proceeds to GLSEN, an American education organization working to end discrimination, harassment, and bullying based on sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression.
Styles swam against the current by wearing a flowing, lace-trimmed Gucci dress on the cover of Vogue magazine. Toxic masculinity is seen way too much these days through men who show overbearing amounts of masculinity in order to not be viewed as feminine or weak. Not only did Styles sport the beautiful gown, he was also the first male to appear solo on the cover of Vogue magazine.
“Now I’ll put on something that feels really flamboyant, and I don’t feel crazy wearing it,” Styles told Vogue magazine. “I think if you get something that you feel amazing in, it’s like a superhero outfit. Clothes are there to have fun with and experiment with and play with.”
Styles commonly wears clothes that make him feel good, which is very controversial upon the conservative community; however, he doesn’t let that stop him from breaking down gender norms and wearing clothes that he enjoys.
“What’s feminine and what’s masculine,” said Styles in 2019. “What men are wearing and what women are wearing — it’s like there are no lines anymore.”
Styles preaches his ideation of never-ending kindness through his music. He wrote and released a song in 2019 titled “Treat People With Kindness.” Styles’ fanbase turned the song title into an acronym “TPWK,” and it soon turned into Styles’ mantra. Every tweet or written-public announcement made by Styles ends with “TPWK.”
Styles has good intentions with every action he makes. It doesn’t take much convincing to make someone fall in love with Styles and the work he has produced.
“Be a lover. Give love. Choose love.”
