Robinne Lee, the author of The Idea of You, has recently expressed regret over initially mentioning that the story was inspired by Harry Styles. Despite comparisons to fan fiction, Lee clarified in a recent interview that her fictional British boy band member, Hayes Campbell, was not solely based on the former One Direction member. She stated, “Harry was one of multiple people who went into creating Hayes Campbell. It’s being used as clickbait, and when I’m writing for Hayes, I’m not picturing Harry Styles.”
The Complex Character of Hayes Campbell
In her interview with EW, Lee revealed that Hayes Campbell is actually a composite character inspired by various real-life individuals. She likened him to JFK Jr. during his relationship with Daryl Hannah in the Hamptons, as well as to Michael Hutchence during his time dating Helena Christensen. Additionally, Lee drew inspiration from her love for Duran Duran in her youth, incorporating elements of Simon, John, and other band members, along with hidden Easter eggs throughout the book.
Debuting in 2017, The Idea of You was later adapted into a film starring Anne Hathaway as a middle-aged woman who falls for a boy band member portrayed by Nicholas Galitzine. Despite acknowledging that Styles resonated with audiences due to his popularity at the time of the novel’s release, Lee emphasized that Hayes Campbell is a distinct character not limited to one real-life individual. She explained, “Some of the other guys are still in bands and alive and out there on tour, but they don’t get named ever. You create your character and you make him what you want to make him.”
Lee made it clear that while Styles may have initially sparked interest in Hayes Campbell, the character took on a life of his own in her mind. She emphasized, “He feels very real to me, and I think Harry’s just what people gravitated to. But he’s not Harry in my head when I’m writing for him. He is not Harry and he’s not living Harry’s life.” By shedding light on the intricate process of character creation, Lee invites readers to delve deeper into the complexities of fiction versus reality in The Idea of You.
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