Harry Styles Praises Way of life in Italy—Sparks Debate About His ‘Privilege’

Harry Styles has mirrored on studying to decelerate throughout a much-needed break following his almost two-year world tour—however some social-media customers have taken offense to his feedback.

The former One Direction star, 32, spoke to U.Okay. newspaper The Sunday Times about spending prolonged time in Italy, the place he was photographed by the late Martin Parr in the summertime of 2024. He described the interval as “transitional” as he adjusted to a gentler tempo of life. Styles stated that Italy shortly grew to become a spot of reset.

“Italy became so important to me because I was so used to everything moving so quickly and being on the go, but then I remember going to a café and sitting and having a coffee and thinking, ‘I don’t remember the last time I sat down and had a coffee—if I’ve ever sat down and just had a coffee’,” Styles advised the newspaper.

Newsweek reached out to Harry Styles’s publicist for remark by way of electronic mail.

He added that he discovered by associates that meals was greater than sustenance and that embracing meals and delight helped him benefit from the current second.

“The Romans are the best at that—that’s their specialty. The pace they’ve taught me has been so special,” he stated.

Styles first developed a connection to the nation after driving there throughout COVID, an expertise he stated taught him to be extra intentional about relaxation.

Italy’s tradition is commonly tied to “la dolce vita,” translated to “the sweet life.” The idea encompasses slowing down, savoring meals and having fun with the second.

The phrase, popularized globally by the 1960 Fellini movie of the identical title, has come to represent an Italian strategy to residing that prioritizes pleasure.

For many guests, the nation’s lengthy café sits, late dinners, and unhurried routines distinction sharply with extra quick‑paced work cultures, significantly within the U.Okay. and U.S.

However, some social media customers criticized his framing of Italy’s cultural rhythm. “The privilege to call italian life ‘slow’ is so ironic. you are privileged to sit down and sip your coffee in comfort somewhere in Italy because you are a wealthy man, not because you’re in italy. dumba**,”wrote X user @flirtaeyeon, reposting an original Pop Crave item citing the interview. Her post has racked up 4.5 million views.

Others pushed back on that criticism. “You’re 100% right however two issues may be true without delay idk [I don’t know] sure nations like italy do have a extra relaxed/slower life-style basically he’s not flawed,” stated CC.

“You can have a gradual life in every single place when you have cash sufficient kkkk,” wrote Clara.

Another user referenced cultural differences: “As somebody who’s lived in 4 nations together with Italy—have you ever thought-about that you simply aren’t accustomed to different cultures’ views and their tempo of life? Italy and the Mediterranean do have a selected mindset that has nothing to do with wealth, compared with many others.”

Natalie added: “Plenty of Europe does reside a slower life in comparison with America. I’m Eastern European residing in America. America doesn’t worth break day and slowing down for something. this isn’t to say that Europeans don’t work exhausting, bc [because] they do. however the distinction is CRAZY. belief.”

Some discovered the backlash baffling. “LMAOO [laughing my a** off] think about being mad that somebody stated he enjoys sitting down for espresso and having a pleasant life in Italy away from the highlight. The web will get mad at ANYTHING these days,” stated Nicc.

Lexie echoed that sentiment: “I’m confused on why yall are discovering a problem with somebody saying they realized they might decelerate in life and calm down and sit in a restaurant in a distinct nation. how is {that a} unhealthy factor? how is that privileged?”