Or as Liam Payne might say, let's "Strip That Down":
Although this particular closeting tactic has evolved over the years, its growing occurrence and impact are unmistakable. As a PR technique the formula invariably involves one half of a prominent OTP couple, with the primary purpose of fracturing largely female fandoms by encouraging a protective "taking sides" mentality. This divide and conquer approach essentially targets the one member who is perceived as the ring leader of a pairing when it comes to fighting the system and in the process undermining a management team's carefully crafted lies.
With each of the three pairs under discussion here, one member has been shown to possess many, if not all, of the following characteristics: outspoken, strong-willed, the pillar, the fighter, the protector, the leader. That doesn't mean the other half is a pushover or has no fight in them. But each of these following three men largely have been the ones that Management has felt the need to control and in that process devalue, marginalize and/or enfeeble as much as possible.
You might ask why a management team would for all intents and purposes hurt the image of one of their clients? In other words, what would be the point of that? As mentioned before, it is useful to weaken the power of a united fandom by favoring one part of a pairing over another. In addition, it is a great way of controlling gay celebrities, by having one perform the majority of the stunting and bearding, while also portraying them as problematic personality types.
No doubt, a goal of over-the-top bearding/stunting is also to turn fans off to the point where they feel the other half "deserves better". Or that the "shameful" behavior of the stunting partner is "holding back" and preventing the quieter half from reaching his "horizon of freedom". How many times has one read in comment threads or tumblr posts that a fan wishes Harry to leave Louis behind in the closet or Jensen to "move on" past Jared. Thus, a polarization occurs within the OTP's own fandom, chipping away at their loyalty and belief. Exploits and story lines are created to make the male celebrity look unstable, volatile, perverted, and/or of course, there's that whole heterosexual thing as well.
Narnia now looks at three of our OTP halves and how each one has been made an example of by their PR teams.
1) Austin Nichols At least by 2010, the movement seemed to start by anons repeatedly labeling Austin as a "D-List" actor "unworthy" of the likes of Jake.
"Anonymous
said...
3:11,
this is a celebrity blog.
Austin
isn't much of a celebrity. He's just not the interesting.
That
may change. But it's been at least four years since I've first heard of him,
and he still is C/D list status.
He
may be a good person, just not an interesting one.
March 13, 2009 3:18
pm" - WFT2
"Anonymous said...
11:32 AM - fingers crossed for Jake to meet the right man SOON!
kianna ÏŸ. (@kiannak23)
3/17/12 11:35 PM
@maryohhh well the context of the tweets were a bit weird to actually be austin. My friend got one saying "what are you wearing right now."
@maryohhh well the context of the tweets were a bit weird to actually be austin. My friend got one saying "what are you wearing right now."
Ca y est je peux mourir tranquille @AUS10NICHOLS you're the best pic.twitter.com/GlHX7Rd7— Fatma Hamza ♔ (@FatmaHamza97) August 16, 2012
Then
there was this Twitlonger from a @Nikk_xx, which was a reaction to the
2012-2013 pattern of Austin's twitter account's behavior (edited) :
This one was followed with the "proof":
2012 began a pivotal transition period for Jake and Austin. Following their sushi lunch together in January and trip to Berlinale in February a pattern was initiated of "moving" Jake to New York City, preparing the way for Austin to begin bearding with Agents of Shield actress Chloe Bennet, which would base him out of Los Angeles, CA, and thus, far away from Jake. A plan was also established to relentlessly troll the Jake/Austin blog "Oh My Godot" into, no doubt, permanent burial. Previously, Austin had been portrayed as a social media, under-aged fan stalker. Management thought they would try a different tactic: Instagram Story prop man for the actress Chloe Bennet's dogs and stunt participant:
And let's not forget that "accidentally-on-purpose" posted Instagram pic that was quickly "deleted":
"Bless the people who save pictures before they're taken down. Her boyfriend posted in on instagram, it was not part of the Fappening." - X1 Radio/X-Jock
@_Miss_Kika
1/30/13, 18:00
@AUS10NICHOLS I tweet u 13 times for support,asking Q's & sending love &u ignore all of them but u reply 2 this hum 1/2 http://pic.twitter.com/jUfQr1X9 [author note: the link no longer works but it was an inappropriate tweet sent from Austin's account to this particular tweeter & longtime fan]
1/30/13, 18:00
@AUS10NICHOLS I tweet u 13 times for support,asking Q's & sending love &u ignore all of them but u reply 2 this hum 1/2 http://pic.twitter.com/jUfQr1X9 [author note: the link no longer works but it was an inappropriate tweet sent from Austin's account to this particular tweeter & longtime fan]
Yes, it is amazing that a USC graduate and actor with his DGA (Directors Guild of America) card could be and was eventually reduced to these closeting practices.
But what hasn't proved to be a surprise is that Austin apparently has had little or no hesitation doing what was "required" of him. Is it because he's capable of compartmentalizing to the point where he really doesn't look bothered by the bearding; is able to emotionally handle it better. This isn't to be confused with "has no issues doing". There were a few too many pictures such as the ones below during the Sophin era, which show that perhaps Austin had another way of releasing any pent up feelings about what he was going through.
*************************************
TBC with Part 2 of 3
collaborated: Methodical Muser and Prairie Girl
pic sources: bluffton, businessinsider
our playlist: Blind My Mind - Flunk
Strong Enough - Sheryl Crowe
You Make Me Strong - 1D
That's How Strong My Love Is - Bryan Ferry
My Weakness - Kris Allen
Does he have no pride or backbone? Love does not mean putting up with being in the shadows or treated like a convience. You can love someone and not put up with their behavior.
So, what is Austin getting out of this? We know it's not fidelity or loyalty. At this point, I am not sure it's even love, at least not from Jake's end (although Jake may hang on just because it's easier to do so than to find a steady, stable outlet for sex).
Unless by featuring this C-list actor (I'm being nice bcz he works semi regularly on episodic TV) we are having a special celebration of mediocrity.
This was followed later by portraying Austin as a man with drinking and drug problems during the Sophin era (with beard Sophia Bush). After the break up of Sophin, these comment claims morphed into signs of inappropriate behavior. Austin's twitter account was noticeably used by interns to reflect "his" frequently and flirtatiously direct messaging to young and sometimes "under aged" female fans. Now, it is quite obvious this was done to repulse fans of Jake and Austin and see the Texan as some kind of creepy stalker and pedophile.