Brief
Harry Styles says former girlfriend helped him feel safe walking in public
The singer explained to Thom Yorke that a former partner changed his view of public spaces.
By Felo News Desk · Published
Harry Styles told Rolling Stone in a conversation with Radiohead frontman Thom Yorke that a former girlfriend helped him overcome the feeling of being "locked‑in" during his One Direction years and made it easier for him to walk in public.
Yorke recalled meeting Styles on a Rome street in 2024 and asked why he had no security detail. Styles replied that early in his career, hotel life felt restrictive and he feared going outside. He said a girlfriend who was "very outgoing" visited London, prompting them to walk everywhere for three days, which shifted his perception: "Oh, it’s fine to be outside." The experience, he said, "broke that thing" and now influences how he stays connected to the world.
Styles, now engaged to actress Zoë Kravitz, also linked his appreciation for walking to his creative process, noting that walking puts an artist at ground level and reveals details missed while driving.
Key facts
- Harry Styles said a former girlfriend helped him feel comfortable walking in public. (elle.com)
- He described early fame as feeling "locked‑in" and unsafe outside. (elle.com)
- The conversation with Thom Yorke was published in Rolling Stone on October 8, 2026. (elle.com)
- Styles is currently engaged to actress Zoë Kravitz, a relationship that began in 2025. (elle.com)
Sources
- [1] elle.com — originally reported as “Harry Styles Opens Up About Feeling 'Locked-In' During His One Direction Days”
