Author Robinne Lee has recently expressed regret over initially stating that her book, The Idea of You, was inspired by Harry Styles. In a new interview, Lee clarifies that the fictional British boy band member, Hayes Campbell, was not solely based on the former One Direction member despite comparisons to fan fiction. Lee emphasizes, “I don’t consider it fan fiction at all. Harry was one of multiple influences in creating Hayes Campbell.”
A Multifaceted Character
According to Lee, Hayes Campbell is a complex character that draws inspiration from various real-life figures. She explains, “He’s very much like JFK Jr. when he was dating Daryl Hannah, and they were hanging out in the Hamptons — that was the Hamptons Hayes. And then there’s some Michael Hutchence sexiness when he was dating Helena Christensen. And I was obsessed with Duran Duran when I was young, so there’s a lot of Simon, and there’s a lot of John, and there’s a lot of actual Duran Duran Easter eggs throughout the entire book.”
Evolution from Page to Screen
Lee’s debut novel, released in 2017, was adapted into a film starring Anne Hathaway and Nicholas Galitzine. The story follows a 40-year-old woman who falls in love with a boy band member. Lee notes that Styles stood out to readers as an inspiration due to his continued popularity at the time of the book’s release. She reflects, “Some of the other guys are still in bands and alive and out there on tour, but they don’t get named ever. And that’s fine with me. You create your character and you make him what you want to make him. 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.”
Lee’s explanation sheds light on the intricacies of character creation and the nuances of drawing inspiration from real-life personalities. By reimagining fictional characters through a multifaceted lens, authors like Lee bring depth and complexity to their storytelling, challenging readers to see beyond surface comparisons and discover the unique tapestry of influences that shape their beloved characters.