
Rumors are swirling that Robert Pattinson's chiseled abs in New Moon are fake. The rippling six pack Rob displayed during a scene he recently filmed in Montepulciano, Italy, were reportedly painted on and not the result of intense gym workouts.
"Rob had a team of makeup artists working on his stomach to make it appear as if he had a six pack," a source (anonymous, natch!) told MTV. "He hates the gym and will never really be a muscle man! They used all the tricks, including liquid body paint, shading, and airbrushing."
But does anyone care if Rob's chiseled abs are painted on? Not really. Pattinson, 23, skyrocketed to overnight A-list status following his star-making turn as the alluring Edward Cullen in the hit vampire romance Twilight. Since then, the dashing British heartthrob has been mobbed by fans and paparazzi wherever he goes. Pattinson is currently in New York, filming his upcoming movie Remember Me.
The self-deprecating Rob confesses he was initially intimidated by the idea of playing Edward when he was first offered the part in 2008. In the book Twilight, Edward is repeatedly described as unspeakably beautiful—an Adonis.
"I asked myself if I was indeed the right actor for the role," Pattinson recounts. "He is described as being a rare beauty, and that's not what I see in my mirror every morning." The lanky 6'1" Rob, who admits he isn't a workout fanatic, stepped up his diet and exercise routines after landing the role. [Find out how co-star Taylor Lautner prepared for his role as Jacob Black here]
Rob is adored by millions of people around the world, whether he has a ripped physique or not. Pattinson, who plays the piano and guitar and composes music, was just named the Sexiest Man on the Planet by Britain’s Heat magazine, beating out heartthrobs Johnny Depp, Brad Pitt and Zac Efron.
Pattinson's legions of fans are likely thrilled about the recognition he's been getting lately. Much of Rob's appeal comes not only from his good looks and talent, but from his goofy charm and self-effacing personality.
When asked what he thought about his new Sexiest Man title, the modest Pattinson replied, "I don’t know if I could ever really be cast in a heartthrob role apart from Twilight, which I didn’t really know was a heartthrob role. I really don’t feel I am one.”
New Moon shines in November.
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