Serious Question: Why Are We Obsessed With Yacht PDA?

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After Aperol Spritzing through Tuscany, Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde surfaced on a yacht this week. They kissed; they nuzzled; they possibly danced (or, alternate theory, simply clung to each other for balance). The couple, who met on the set of Wilde’s second directorial effort, Don’t Worry, Darling , even left their big boat so that an artfully mustachioed Styles could captain a smaller vessel through glittering Mediterranean waters. In my estimation, the Styles fandom lost at least a full afternoon’s worth of productivity to a forensic examination of this photo set. All I could think, to quote Courteney Cox in Scream 2 , was: It’s happening again .

After all, it’s July, also known as yacht season, an annual micro-season within summer in which super-celebrities and moguls embark on luxe floating vacations, often with sparkling, sexual overtones. Styles and Wilde join a long, storied tradition (one well documented on many episodes of The Ringer’s Jam Session podcast ) that includes Styles himself and Kendall Jenner, along with both of their mothers, off the coast of St. Barts in 2016. Beyoncé has been known to yacht dive from great heights (once from an aptly titled rental yacht named the Halo) on yachting jaunts with Jay-Z to Capri and Croatia. In 2019, Timothée Chalamet and Lily-Rose Depp ardently made out aboard a yacht off Capri, as Italy is the unofficial global epicenter of yacht season. After two terms in the White House, Barack and Michelle Obama decamped to David Geffen’s superyacht , the Rising Sun (or as he prefers, “R.S.”) in Tahiti, which is how we’d all decompress after eight years of Mitch McConnell if we could. 

It must be said that while the appetite and voyeurism for yacht-season photo evidence is strong, there are also persistent ethical questions about breaches of privacy. Yachts are at once one of the only places celebrities can be entirely alone—save for the prying eyes of long-lens paparazzi. And yet couples sunning and smooching are often accused of doing it for publicity, a murmur that Chalamet, for one, denied. In an interview with GQ , he recalled “waking up to all these pictures, and feeling embarrassed, and looking like a real nob .... And then people are like, ‘This is a P.R. stunt.’ A P.R. stunt ?! Do you think I’d want to look like that in front of all of you ?!”

There is something endlessly fascinating about yacht PDA, as well as platonic group yacht vacays (see: Oprah and Gayle King aboard the R.S. , on which Geffen notoriously quarantined) . Much of modern celebrity culture, from the aughties zenith of Us Weekly to the present, is predicated on a kind of imagined relatability. Stars—at least occasionally—are like us. They go to Starbucks, sometimes wearing Juicy jumpsuits. They walk their dogs. But most spectators will never find themselves lolling starboard, à la Styles and Wilde, on a yacht near Monte Argentario. It’s like glimpsing a Gatsby party from the other side of the Long Island Sound—not easy to look away. Of course, yacht-watching can border on grotesque. Amazon employees had to fight hard for their $15-per-hour rate; meanwhile, Jeff Bezos’s $500 million superyacht comes with a support yacht complete with its own helipad.

With the rise of Bennifer 2.0 , I can’t not think about the scenes from the now vintage “Jenny From the Block” video in which Affleck, in all of his pompadoured glory, caresses Lopez’s bikini bottom sur la mer . It was a bit of celebrity satire—a nod from two celebrities who never fail to feed the beast. In the spirit of second chances, here’s hoping for the real thing in 2021. 

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Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde Share a Kiss and Dance on a Yacht During Romantic Getaway in Italy

Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde were first linked in January

harry styles yacht

Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde had quite the romantic getaway in Italy over the weekend.

The couple, who were first linked right after New Year's , were seen enjoying a day out on a yacht in Monte Argentario, Italy. The two have been vacationing in the idyllic spot for the past week. Daily Mail was first to post the pictures .

Styles, 27, and Wilde, 37, amped up the romance when the singer invited the actress-turned-director to dance. The two also shared a kiss while swaying along. They were later seen sunbathing (and kissing again!) while reading and taking out a small boat into the clear-blue waters.

The duo matched on their outing, with Wilde wearing an all-Navy swimsuit, while Styles coordinated in a blue hat and hoodie with black swim trunks.

The pair met last fall while filming the upcoming Don't Worry Darling , Wilde's highly-anticipated directorial follow-up to Booksmart starring Styles opposite Florence Pugh.

In February, a source told PEOPLE the two "seem very serious" and "spend all their time together" while they shot the upcoming film in Los Angeles. "She is also very happy with Harry," added the source.

That same month — weeks after the pair were first seen holding hands at a friend's wedding — Wilde penned a sweet note in honor of Styles and his work on Don't Worry Darling .

In the caption, Wilde noted that many male actors don't want to appear in female-led films and take the lesser role, which makes those movies hard to finance. But Styles jumped in without reservation to play backup to Pugh's leading role.

Want to get the biggest stories from PEOPLE every weekday? Subscribe to our new podcast , PEOPLE Every Day, to get the essential celebrity, entertainment and human interest news stories Monday through Friday.

"No joke, it is harrrrrd to find actors who recognize why it might be worth it to allow for a woman to hold the spotlight. Enter: @harrystyles, our 'Jack,' " Wilde wrote alongside a black-and-white shot of Styles. "Not only did he relish the opportunity to allow for the brilliant @florencepugh to hold center stage as our 'Alice', but he infused every scene with a nuanced sense of humanity. He didn't have to join our circus, but he jumped on board with humility and grace, and blew us away every day with his talent, warmth, and ability to drive backwards."

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Shirtless Harry Styles shows off his tattooed physique as he goes for a swim while holidaying on mega yacht with girlfriend Taylor Russell and pal James Corden in Anguilla

By CONNIE RUSK FOR MAILONLINE

Published: 08:08 EST, 4 January 2024 | Updated: 08:13 EST, 4 January 2024

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Harry Styles showed off his impressive tattooed physique as he went swimming in Anguilla on Tuesday. 

The singer, 29, has jetted off to see in the New Year with his girlfriend Taylor Russell, 29, who were first linked in June, and his best friend James Corden , 45. 

Harry's short-lived buzz cut appears to be a thing of the past as he sported a thicker head of hair and facial hair. 

The Watermelon Sugar hitmaker shaved off his signature curly locks last year, leaving fans devastated. 

Harry's two swallow and butterfly inkings were visible on his toned chest as he enjoyed the refreshing dip. 

Harry Styles showed off his impressive tattooed physique as he went swimming in Anguilla on Tuesday

Harry Styles showed off his impressive tattooed physique as he went swimming in Anguilla on Tuesday

The singer, 29, has jetted off to see in the New Year with his girlfriend Taylor Russell, 29, who were first linked in June

The singer, 29, has jetted off to see in the New Year with his girlfriend Taylor Russell, 29, who were first linked in June

Harry's best pal James Corden has joined the lovebirds on holiday and appeared to be having a blast as they hit the beach

Harry's best pal James Corden has joined the lovebirds on holiday and appeared to be having a blast as they hit the beach 

The group are staying on a luxury yacht and headed to the Meads Bay Beach on the  Caribbean island to soak up the sun. 

While Harry took a swim back to the yacht, Taylor appeared to be having a blast as she posed for photos taken by a pal. 

The actress hit the beach in a white crochet cover-up and bandana.

James cut a casual figure in a polo T-shirt and navy shorts and shared a laugh with friends as the group went to Blanchards Restaurant and Beach Shack for lunch. 

The expensive restaurant hailed as one of the best restaurants in the Caribbean with innovative cuisine by Chef Melinda Blanchard. 

Harry and Taylor were first romantically linked after they were spotted enjoying an art gallery date in London in June.

Since then, the pair have been spotted enjoying various outings together as they take their romance to new heights. 

The Watermelon Sugar singer reportedly 'sees a future' and is 'head over heels for Taylor,' a source revealed to Us Weekly  last month before noting that he 'loves spending as much time with her as he can'.

The insider claimed: 'Things are very serious, and Harry definitely sees a future with Taylor.'

While Harry took a swim back to the yacht, Taylor appeared to be having a blast as she posed for photos taken by a pal

While Harry took a swim back to the yacht, Taylor appeared to be having a blast as she posed for photos taken by a pal

The group are staying on this huge mega yacht as they tour around the Caribbean

The group are staying on this huge mega yacht as they tour around the Caribbean 

James didn't stay in the sun for too long as he relaxed underneath a parasol with a refreshing drink

James didn't stay in the sun for too long as he relaxed underneath a parasol with a refreshing drink 

Harry's two swallow and butterfly inkings were visible on his toned chest as he enjoyed the refreshing dip

Harry's two swallow and butterfly inkings were visible on his toned chest as he enjoyed the refreshing dip

Harry's short-lived buzz cut appears to be a thing of the past as he sported a thicker head of hair and facial hair

Harry's short-lived buzz cut appears to be a thing of the past as he sported a thicker head of hair and facial hair

The group are staying on a luxury yacht and headed to the Meads Bay Beach on the Caribbean island to soak up the sun

The group are staying on a luxury yacht and headed to the Meads Bay Beach on the Caribbean island to soak up the sun

Harry has jetted on holiday with a big group of friends to see 2024 in style

Harry has jetted on holiday with a big group of friends to see 2024 in style

Harry and Taylor were first romantically linked after they were spotted enjoying an art gallery date in London in June

Harry and Taylor were first romantically linked after they were spotted enjoying an art gallery date in London in June

Harry took a swim back to the yacht while Taylor posed for photos taken by a pal

Harry took a swim back to the yacht while Taylor posed for photos taken by a pal

Harry and James often go on holiday together and travelled through Italy in July last year. They have been close friends for years

Harry and James often go on holiday together and travelled through Italy in July last year. They have been close friends for years 

Harry appeared thoroughly relaxed as he enjoyed a swim along the stunning beach

Harry appeared thoroughly relaxed as he enjoyed a swim along the stunning beach 

Harry has seemingly ditched his short-lived trim and started growing back his precious long locks - in a post shared on Instagram by a fan

Harry has seemingly ditched his short-lived trim and started growing back his precious long locks - in a post shared on Instagram by a fan

The singer sent fans into complete meltdown after he debuted his buzz cut last year

The singer sent fans into complete meltdown after he debuted his buzz cut last year 

The insider also said the One Direction vet accompanied Taylor to an after party for the final night of her play , The Effect, at the National Theatre.

'Even though they're both busy with their careers, they support one another any chance they get,' the source told the outlet.

Harry was reportedly  staying in a swanky £2,500-a-night hotel in Central London  as building work continues on his £50M mega mansion.

He is said to be living out of a suitcase at the very lavish accommodation with Taylor keeping him company.

Harry splashed out £13M in 2020 for  neighbouring 18th Century houses  in North London which he knocked into one property before getting to work on transforming them.

A source told The Sun : 'Harry has understandably kept a wide berth from his pad while the major works are under way, and has checked in to a lavish hotel while in London. 

'His girlfriend Taylor has been staying with him.

'They keep a low profile, popping out for coffees and snacks, and cycling around London like tourists.'

Harry and James often go on holiday together and travelled through Italy in July last year. 

They have been close friends for years after first meeting when the former Late Late Show host interviewed him as part of One Direction back in 2015. 

James spoke about his and Harry's bond to Howard Stern last year: 'I just think [Harry is] so special as a human, but actually, you don’t have any of those feelings because ... like there is someone who wants to embrace the world they’re living into the absolute best that he can and you never ever feel like that. 

'When we went on this one vacation, I made this pact where I said, 'I am only going eat when you eat. I’m going work out when you work out and I’m going eat what you eat and I think it’s going have a really positive impact on me.'"

'[Harry] was like, "OK…" I lasted 36 hours and I was like, "No, I’m out." Once I’ve had a drink, I’m like, ‘I should get some fries and I’m on holiday.' 

Share or comment on this article: Shirtless Harry Styles shows off his tattooed physique as he goes for a swim while holidaying on mega yacht with girlfriend Taylor Russell and pal James Corden in Anguilla

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IMAGES

  1. OLIVIA WILDE and Harry Styles at a Yacht in Giglio Island 07/09/2021

    harry styles yacht

  2. Harry Styles and girlfriend Olivia Wilde passionately kiss on a yacht

    harry styles yacht

  3. Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde enjoy a day out on a yacht in Italy

    harry styles yacht

  4. Harry Styles and Olivia Wilde can’t keep their hands off each other in Italy

    harry styles yacht

  5. OLIVIA WILDE and Harry Styles at a Yacht in Giglio Island 07/09/2021

    harry styles yacht

  6. OLIVIA WILDE and Harry Styles at a Yacht in Giglio Island 07/09/2021

    harry styles yacht