Harry Styles addresses probing on his sexuality, says he's on his 'own journey'

Harry Styles' sexuality has been a topic of fan discussion he rarely addresses. But in a new cover story, Styles himself dipped his toe into said discussion and shared he's on a "journey" with his sexuality.

Styles, 29, opened up about accusations that he is "queerbaiting" in an interview with Rolling Stone on Monday. Styles pushed back against the term, which refers to teasing that you are a part of the LGBTQ community to gain a larger audience but never confirming if you are queer.

“Sometimes people say, ‘You’ve only publicly been with women,’ and I don’t think I’ve publicly been with anyone," he said. "If someone takes a picture of you with someone, it doesn’t mean you’re choosing to have a public relationship or something.”

See also: Why is everyone talking about Olivia Wilde and Harry Styles?

Styles has been romantically linked to Olivia Wilde since January 2021 after the two were photographed by paparazzi several times kissing and holding hands. Wilde directed the musician in the upcoming film "Don't Worry, Darling," out Sept. 23.

Wilde also spoke to Rolling Stone, addressing her relationship with some of the "As It Was" singer's fans. Some of Styles' fans can be cruel, she said, but "that kind of toxic negativity is the antithesis of Harry, and everything he puts out there."

The actress-turned-director added: "I don’t personally believe the hateful energy defines his fan base at all. The majority of them are true champions of kindness."

Styles' sexuality will take center stage as he stars in the upcoming movie "My Policeman" as Tom, a policeman who becomes infatuated with museum curator Patrick (David Dawson) in 1950s U.K. At the time, same-sex relationships were not legal.

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"It’s obviously pretty unfathomable now to think, 'Oh, you couldn’t be gay. That was illegal,'" Styles commented on the film. He added: "It’s not like ‘This is a gay story about these guys being gay.’ It’s about love and about wasted time to me."

Reflecting on what he learned from "My Policeman," the English musician said, "I think everyone, including myself, has your own journey with figuring out sexuality and getting more comfortable with it."

Styles got comfortable while donning a ballgown with his December 2020 history-making Vogue cover, becoming the first man to cover American Vogue solo.

The former "One Direction" band member wore a lace ballgown by Gucci, crediting his "flamboyant" idols Prince, David Bowie, Elvis Presley, Freddie Mercury and Elton John with giving him the confidence to buck the status quo and push boundaries.

In an interview with Variety, the "Watermelon Sugar" singer showed no regrets over making waves with his style choice.

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“To not wear (something) because it’s females’ clothing, you shut out a whole world of great clothes," he said. "And I think what’s exciting about right now is you can wear what you like. It doesn’t have to be X or Y. Those lines are becoming more and more blurred.”

Contributing: Hannah Yasharoff, Sara M. Moniuszko

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Harry Styles on his sexuality, relationships, Olivia Wilde