Wikipedia defines Queerbaiting “as a marketing technique for fiction and entertainment in which creators hint at, but then do not actually depict, same-sex romance or other LGBT representation. They do so to attract (“bait”) a queer or straight ally audience.” Turns out, that fans now feel Harry Styles has been queerbaiting all this while.

Addressing the criticisms that were being hurled at him, Styles recently opened up about discussing his sexuality to close friends and family, and how he likes to keep it that way. A volley of fans continue to believe that Styles uses his sense of style and support for the LGBTQA+ community, as part of his queerbaiting strategy. While such allegations have done the rounds for quite some time, the As It Was singer has finally decided to talk about it with Rolling Stone.

He told the magazine, “Sometimes people say, ‘You’ve only publicly been with women,’ and I don’t think I’ve publicly been with anyone. If someone takes a picture of you with someone, it doesn’t mean you’re choosing to have a public relationship or something.” The Watermelon hitmaker had previously remarked that it often felt “outdated” for him to define his sexuality.

Styles‘ next, My Policeman, is due for release this year. The movie finds him essaying a closeted gay police officer from the 1950s. Speaking of which, the singer added, “I think everyone, including myself, has your own journey with figuring out sexuality and getting more comfortable with it. It’s not like, ‘this is a gay story about these guys being gay.’ It’s about love and about wasted time to me.”

The singer is currently dating Olivia Wilde, who will be directing one of his upcoming films, Don’t Worry Darling. Styles recently opined how he does not appreciate fans criticizing his girlfriend online, and that it “doesn’t make (him) feel good.” His new film with Wilde releases on September 23, 2022.

(Featured Image Credits: Twitter @harrystyles)