"Harry Styles and Barack Obama are engaged!" --Reeghan Walsh and Maya Mastropasqua, 8th Grade
The following article is a special May investigation by the OSA Shallot staff, aiming to bring you the very best of the campus' fake news.
Yesterday afternoon, former US president, Barack Obama, released an article from the New York Times, confirming his engagement with Harry Styles. “I, Barack Obama have been in a romantic relationship for several years, and am now officially engaged to Harry Styles,” the article stated. Thursday afternoon, Obama and Styles were spotted, holding hands, matching rings shining on their fingers.
Obama goes on to explain in his article that he and Michelle Robinson (formerly Obama) got divorced at the beginning of his second term. It seems as though the two have amicably split, as he said, “I have absolutely nothing but love for her and I always will.”
The article ends simply saying, “My connection with Harry was immediate and undeniable. We are done hiding.” Obviously this comes as a shock to people worldwide.
“Harry Styles, I’m happy for him that he admitted he was gay. Obama of all people? Strange pairing,” local Bay Area resident, Jordan Karnes said of the relationship.
“I ship them so much,” Drax Richardson, a student at Oakland School For the Arts, told us.
This news is certainly exciting. Our favorite pop star and favorite president together? Hobama4ever! But when did this relationship start?
Yesterday afternoon, former US president, Barack Obama, released an article from the New York Times, confirming his engagement with Harry Styles. “I, Barack Obama have been in a romantic relationship for several years, and am now officially engaged to Harry Styles,” the article stated. Thursday afternoon, Obama and Styles were spotted, holding hands, matching rings shining on their fingers.
Obama goes on to explain in his article that he and Michelle Robinson (formerly Obama) got divorced at the beginning of his second term. It seems as though the two have amicably split, as he said, “I have absolutely nothing but love for her and I always will.”
The article ends simply saying, “My connection with Harry was immediate and undeniable. We are done hiding.” Obviously this comes as a shock to people worldwide.
“Harry Styles, I’m happy for him that he admitted he was gay. Obama of all people? Strange pairing,” local Bay Area resident, Jordan Karnes said of the relationship.
“I ship them so much,” Drax Richardson, a student at Oakland School For the Arts, told us.
This news is certainly exciting. Our favorite pop star and favorite president together? Hobama4ever! But when did this relationship start?
2014 – Rumors
Around December of 2014, rumors started circulating, claiming that then-president Barack Obama had a relationship with Harry Styles. The rumor started with a story in tabloid magazine, The National Examiner. The cover of the magazine read “OBAMA HID GAY LIFESTYLE TO BE PRESIDENT!” With the smaller print underneath saying, “Marriage to Michelle IS A SHAM”. In the corner of the page, a small picture of Styles was featured with an arrow pointing to it saying, “He had sex with THIS MAN”.
E! News reported the response Styles gave to Yahoo UK. “I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, “I’ve heard some good ones in my time, but that’s interesting.”
And as far as we knew, that was the end of it…..
Around December of 2014, rumors started circulating, claiming that then-president Barack Obama had a relationship with Harry Styles. The rumor started with a story in tabloid magazine, The National Examiner. The cover of the magazine read “OBAMA HID GAY LIFESTYLE TO BE PRESIDENT!” With the smaller print underneath saying, “Marriage to Michelle IS A SHAM”. In the corner of the page, a small picture of Styles was featured with an arrow pointing to it saying, “He had sex with THIS MAN”.
E! News reported the response Styles gave to Yahoo UK. “I honestly have no idea what you’re talking about,” he said, “I’ve heard some good ones in my time, but that’s interesting.”
And as far as we knew, that was the end of it…..
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Fall 2015 – The Lunch
In the early months of 2015, paparazzi took pictures of Harry Styles leaving upscale Los Angeles restaurant, The Nice Guy. On the same day, around the same time, Obama was spotted leaving the very same restaurant. While this may seem like an innocent coincidence, it’s important we set the scene of The Nice Guy: dim lighting, formal dress code, and vintage marble and brass furnishing all add up to a romantic evening.
Because of The Nice Guy’s “no camera” policy, there is no way for us to know for sure if Obama and Styles were there together, but we strongly speculate they were…….
Feb 2016 – Harry’s Birthday Party
On Styles’ 22nd birthday, (Feb 1) a huge party was thrown at The Lanesborough hotel in London. Styles rented out the hotel's entire 93 luxury bedrooms and suites. Appearances were made by Kendall Jenner, Oprah, Selena Gomez, and many more. The festivities included Taylor Swift singing karaoke with Ryan Reynolds in a Barney suit, fireworks of Harry Styles’s face on a dog, and much more.
In the early months of 2015, paparazzi took pictures of Harry Styles leaving upscale Los Angeles restaurant, The Nice Guy. On the same day, around the same time, Obama was spotted leaving the very same restaurant. While this may seem like an innocent coincidence, it’s important we set the scene of The Nice Guy: dim lighting, formal dress code, and vintage marble and brass furnishing all add up to a romantic evening.
Because of The Nice Guy’s “no camera” policy, there is no way for us to know for sure if Obama and Styles were there together, but we strongly speculate they were…….
Feb 2016 – Harry’s Birthday Party
On Styles’ 22nd birthday, (Feb 1) a huge party was thrown at The Lanesborough hotel in London. Styles rented out the hotel's entire 93 luxury bedrooms and suites. Appearances were made by Kendall Jenner, Oprah, Selena Gomez, and many more. The festivities included Taylor Swift singing karaoke with Ryan Reynolds in a Barney suit, fireworks of Harry Styles’s face on a dog, and much more.
Later in the night, Obama and Robinson were photographed entering the hotel. In the pictures posted on various social media accounts, there were a few pictures of Styles and Obama, some of Styles, Obama, and Robinson. No other political officials or anybody similar to former president Barack Obama attended.
Kendall Jenner and Robinson were also photographed together several
times, leading to some speculation, especially now since Hobama has been confirmed.
At the time, this was just seen as a funny, unexpected friendship, but obviously we know now this was just the beginning of much more….
Kendall Jenner and Robinson were also photographed together several
times, leading to some speculation, especially now since Hobama has been confirmed.
At the time, this was just seen as a funny, unexpected friendship, but obviously we know now this was just the beginning of much more….
Spring 2016 – Cuba
In the spring of 2016, Styles was spotted exiting the St. Regis resort in Maldives. This was fairly reported at the time, with several different tabloids and magazines publishing headlines saying things like, “Styles Rock His New Maldives Style.”
Not even two days after Styles’s pictures were released to the public, Obama was spotted on the Maldives’ Vabbinfaru Islands with his daughter, Malia. This didn’t make headlines on any tabloids, but it was still relatively widely known since Obama was meeting with the Cuban government.
We here at The Shallot believe that Styles’s trip was not a coincidence. Styles clearly went to the Maldives to spend some more time with his future fiancé, Obama…..
In the spring of 2016, Styles was spotted exiting the St. Regis resort in Maldives. This was fairly reported at the time, with several different tabloids and magazines publishing headlines saying things like, “Styles Rock His New Maldives Style.”
Not even two days after Styles’s pictures were released to the public, Obama was spotted on the Maldives’ Vabbinfaru Islands with his daughter, Malia. This didn’t make headlines on any tabloids, but it was still relatively widely known since Obama was meeting with the Cuban government.
We here at The Shallot believe that Styles’s trip was not a coincidence. Styles clearly went to the Maldives to spend some more time with his future fiancé, Obama…..
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Summer 2016 – Tonight Show Meetup
On June 8th of 2016, Obama appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. This marks what we believe to be the official beginning of our iconic power couple.
The timing here just stops being coincidence. Styles was spotted multiple times in Rockefeller Plaza, where the show is filmed. Dozens of fans were thrilled, and this was easily brushed off as Styles just taking a walk around the city. Of course, this wasn’t just any trip to the city.
Styles was seen behind the stage, talking to Fallon. He was also seen watching Obama’s interview from backstage.
Early in their honeymoon stage, Styles just couldn’t wait to see Obama again, going as far as to go all the way to New York. Are they #couplegoals or what?!
On June 8th of 2016, Obama appeared on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. This marks what we believe to be the official beginning of our iconic power couple.
The timing here just stops being coincidence. Styles was spotted multiple times in Rockefeller Plaza, where the show is filmed. Dozens of fans were thrilled, and this was easily brushed off as Styles just taking a walk around the city. Of course, this wasn’t just any trip to the city.
Styles was seen behind the stage, talking to Fallon. He was also seen watching Obama’s interview from backstage.
Early in their honeymoon stage, Styles just couldn’t wait to see Obama again, going as far as to go all the way to New York. Are they #couplegoals or what?!
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 | Sep 2017 — The Blue Button-Up It’s no surprise to the American people that Obama loves a button-up. We’ve seen it time and time again. If that man isn’t in a suit you can bet all your money a blue button-up is in play. Sometime in September, several photographs were taken of Styles seemingly disheveled. He seems to be in a hurry, his hair messed up and – most importantly — wearing a partially buttoned blue button-up shirt. I don’t think we really need to connect the dots here…. |
Oct 2017 – Harry Styles - Live On Tour
2017 was a pretty big year for Styles. He debuted his first ever solo single, “Sign of the Times.” He also released his first solo album, Harry Styles. With that, came his first tour, Harry Styles - Live On Tour. When going through such a big change in career, who better to support you than your boyfriend?
Obama was spotted several times around The Masonic in SF – the spot of Styles’s first concert during the tour. A source close to Styles and Obama told the Shallot that Obama could often be found hanging around the tour bus, sometimes even backstage.
“Oh Barack? Yeah, he was always around. Sometimes he’d hang around backstage, just watching the show from the sidelines,” the source told us.
November 2017 – The Break Up
Everything seemed angelic until November 1st. A source who prefers to stay unnamed said they witnessed an argument between Styles and Obama backstage at the DC concert. The inside source stated the argument got heated, with the two throwing insults at each other, however it did not escalate past verbal assaults. The inside source claimed that at one point Obama could be heard shouting, “This whole thing was a mistake!” This statement most likely was referring to their relationship, as the two were not seen together for over a year after this fight.
2017 was a pretty big year for Styles. He debuted his first ever solo single, “Sign of the Times.” He also released his first solo album, Harry Styles. With that, came his first tour, Harry Styles - Live On Tour. When going through such a big change in career, who better to support you than your boyfriend?
Obama was spotted several times around The Masonic in SF – the spot of Styles’s first concert during the tour. A source close to Styles and Obama told the Shallot that Obama could often be found hanging around the tour bus, sometimes even backstage.
“Oh Barack? Yeah, he was always around. Sometimes he’d hang around backstage, just watching the show from the sidelines,” the source told us.
November 2017 – The Break Up
Everything seemed angelic until November 1st. A source who prefers to stay unnamed said they witnessed an argument between Styles and Obama backstage at the DC concert. The inside source stated the argument got heated, with the two throwing insults at each other, however it did not escalate past verbal assaults. The inside source claimed that at one point Obama could be heard shouting, “This whole thing was a mistake!” This statement most likely was referring to their relationship, as the two were not seen together for over a year after this fight.
2018 – Michelle Robinson - Becoming
The only thing that really solidified the possibility of our favorite power couple still having a chance was the book tour of Robinson’s book, Becoming, in 2018. Jenner (the rumored other half to Robinson, in case you forgot) was spotted in the crowd at quite a few of Robinson’s talks. She was spotted on November 15th, in her hometown, and November 17th and 25th, in Washington, DC. Robinson could be seen making eye contact with Jenner multiple times throughout her talks, and Jenner responding with longing eyes.
The only thing that really solidified the possibility of our favorite power couple still having a chance was the book tour of Robinson’s book, Becoming, in 2018. Jenner (the rumored other half to Robinson, in case you forgot) was spotted in the crowd at quite a few of Robinson’s talks. She was spotted on November 15th, in her hometown, and November 17th and 25th, in Washington, DC. Robinson could be seen making eye contact with Jenner multiple times throughout her talks, and Jenner responding with longing eyes.
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At one point, during a book signing on the 17th, Jenner appeared to be saying something that looked suspiciously like, “You’re doing amazing, sweetie,” and Robinson responded with a large smile. This proves that at the time Robinson and Jenner were going strong, so Obama and Robinson could not have gotten back together, which meant that there was still hope for the best couple of all time (Styles and Obama, of course).
April 2019 – The Yankees Game
Luckily, our beloved couple returned to the public eye together, along with the Obama daughters, for the Yankees VS. White Sox baseball game (a devastating outcome for the Yankees) at Yankees’ Stadium on April 14, 2019. The two could be seen wearing matching Yankees baseball caps, walking very close to each other, and at their seats, they were huddled together. For most of the game, they seemed to be pretty cuddly.
In the top of the fourth inning, when Tim Anderson hit his grand slam for the White Sox, Styles could be seen comforting Obama, patting his arm and whispering something unintelligible into his ear. Then in the top of the 5th, when Aaron Judge caught Anderson’s flyball, preventing another out of the park grand slam, Obama and Styles were seen cheering, and holding on to each other excitedly. Then, during the seventh-inning stretch, they could be seen standing very close together in line at a hotdog vendor and holding hands.
When they left the stadium, Obama was seen with his arm slung around Styles’s shoulder, the little Obamas a few feet ahead. Obama could be seen listening intently to something Styles was saying, both smiling wide, sparkles in their eyes.
April 2019 – The Yankees Game
Luckily, our beloved couple returned to the public eye together, along with the Obama daughters, for the Yankees VS. White Sox baseball game (a devastating outcome for the Yankees) at Yankees’ Stadium on April 14, 2019. The two could be seen wearing matching Yankees baseball caps, walking very close to each other, and at their seats, they were huddled together. For most of the game, they seemed to be pretty cuddly.
In the top of the fourth inning, when Tim Anderson hit his grand slam for the White Sox, Styles could be seen comforting Obama, patting his arm and whispering something unintelligible into his ear. Then in the top of the 5th, when Aaron Judge caught Anderson’s flyball, preventing another out of the park grand slam, Obama and Styles were seen cheering, and holding on to each other excitedly. Then, during the seventh-inning stretch, they could be seen standing very close together in line at a hotdog vendor and holding hands.
When they left the stadium, Obama was seen with his arm slung around Styles’s shoulder, the little Obamas a few feet ahead. Obama could be seen listening intently to something Styles was saying, both smiling wide, sparkles in their eyes.
October 2019 – Biden
On October 19th of that same year, Obama, Styles, and (now President of the United States) Joe Biden were seen at a Taylor Gourmet sandwich shop in DC for lunch. Biden wanted to talk through campaigning with Obama, and Obama invited Styles along, wanting to reintroduce the two to each other. Obviously the two would be on rocky footing with one another, Biden being a great bestie and taking Obama’s side in the break up, and still not completely trusting Styles. But how do we know this?
We got an inside scoop with the President of our nation, Biden, and here’s what he had to say. “Initially, I was angry. Barack getting back with his ex after they had such a bad end? I was worried, and rightfully didn’t trust Harry,” Biden remarked. “I remember back in the day when Barack and I had our brief romantic encounters with one another. He’s a great partner, with a good heart, but a breakable one. You can’t just mess around with that.” But Biden revealed that Styles made a promise to him. “He promised me he would never break Barack’s heart ever again. He said it was the biggest mistake of his life.”
August 2020 – A Romantic Getaway
Styles seemed to have kept that promise because for Obama’s birthday in 2020 the two appeared to have gone to Meadowoods Napa Valley, a resort infamous for being a romantic getaway. The paparazzi caught some pictures of them together. Our favorite pic of these two is the one where they’re feeding each other chocolate-covered strawberries. So sweet!
On October 19th of that same year, Obama, Styles, and (now President of the United States) Joe Biden were seen at a Taylor Gourmet sandwich shop in DC for lunch. Biden wanted to talk through campaigning with Obama, and Obama invited Styles along, wanting to reintroduce the two to each other. Obviously the two would be on rocky footing with one another, Biden being a great bestie and taking Obama’s side in the break up, and still not completely trusting Styles. But how do we know this?
We got an inside scoop with the President of our nation, Biden, and here’s what he had to say. “Initially, I was angry. Barack getting back with his ex after they had such a bad end? I was worried, and rightfully didn’t trust Harry,” Biden remarked. “I remember back in the day when Barack and I had our brief romantic encounters with one another. He’s a great partner, with a good heart, but a breakable one. You can’t just mess around with that.” But Biden revealed that Styles made a promise to him. “He promised me he would never break Barack’s heart ever again. He said it was the biggest mistake of his life.”
August 2020 – A Romantic Getaway
Styles seemed to have kept that promise because for Obama’s birthday in 2020 the two appeared to have gone to Meadowoods Napa Valley, a resort infamous for being a romantic getaway. The paparazzi caught some pictures of them together. Our favorite pic of these two is the one where they’re feeding each other chocolate-covered strawberries. So sweet!
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However, due to Covid, we weren’t able to track our OTP for a while.
September 2021 – Harry Styles - Love on Tour
After some time, the two resurfaced during Styles’s Love on Tour. On September 18, 2021, Obama appeared at Styles’s DC show. Fans report seeing Styles looking over at Obama many times throughout the show. At some point, even appearing to sing to him. What song, you ask? “Watermelon Sugar” is your answer.
April 2022 – “As It Was”
As if this isn’t enough, on April 1, 2022, Styles released a song titled “As It Was” as the lead single of his album that would come out in May of the same year. The song seems to have a lot of nods to his relationship with Obama, with lyrics like, “”Harry, you're no good alone,’” and “Leave America, two kids follow her.” The first lyric is a commentary on how lonely Styles was when he and Obama were taking a break. The second lyric he disguises in many ways. First, when he says, “Leave America,” he is referring to the fact that when he leaves America, he misses Obama, and Obama has his two daughters with him in America; not that a woman is leaving America with her two kids. He also disguises this lyric as being about a woman, when in actuality it is about his relationship with Obama.
As a whole, the song is about how Styles’s relationship with Obama has changed over the years.
September 2022 – The Finale
And finally, our last stop on the tracking of this relationship: the Madison Square Garden stop on Styles’s tour. Styles was in New York City for 15 shows, spanning from August 20th to September 21st. Obama was seen at nearly every show. Sometimes, he was in the crowd, and other times, fans caught glimpses of him backstage watching Styles.
September 2021 – Harry Styles - Love on Tour
After some time, the two resurfaced during Styles’s Love on Tour. On September 18, 2021, Obama appeared at Styles’s DC show. Fans report seeing Styles looking over at Obama many times throughout the show. At some point, even appearing to sing to him. What song, you ask? “Watermelon Sugar” is your answer.
April 2022 – “As It Was”
As if this isn’t enough, on April 1, 2022, Styles released a song titled “As It Was” as the lead single of his album that would come out in May of the same year. The song seems to have a lot of nods to his relationship with Obama, with lyrics like, “”Harry, you're no good alone,’” and “Leave America, two kids follow her.” The first lyric is a commentary on how lonely Styles was when he and Obama were taking a break. The second lyric he disguises in many ways. First, when he says, “Leave America,” he is referring to the fact that when he leaves America, he misses Obama, and Obama has his two daughters with him in America; not that a woman is leaving America with her two kids. He also disguises this lyric as being about a woman, when in actuality it is about his relationship with Obama.
As a whole, the song is about how Styles’s relationship with Obama has changed over the years.
September 2022 – The Finale
And finally, our last stop on the tracking of this relationship: the Madison Square Garden stop on Styles’s tour. Styles was in New York City for 15 shows, spanning from August 20th to September 21st. Obama was seen at nearly every show. Sometimes, he was in the crowd, and other times, fans caught glimpses of him backstage watching Styles.
Now – Their Future
Now, enough of their past, what about their present?
While most people are loving this newly out couple, there are a few controversies. For one, their age gap is 32 years. Mila Boyden, Oakland School for the Arts student, complained, “That much, it’s just like, it’s- it’s too much. It just feels so wrong.”
This is a totally valid point, 32 years is a long time. And while a lot of celebrity couples have big age gaps, one like this is a little extreme. However, Obama and Styles have known each other for a long time, and have an extensive history, so they’ve had time to grow together. “Harry Styles did date a lot of older women, so it kind of makes sense that he’s into Obama,” offered Karnes.
The other concern is Robinson. Obama and Robinson seemed to be going strong, and the public was shocked to hear of their divorce. Karnes said, “I thought they were, like, a leo capricorn power couple.”
Obama eases our worries by explaining in his article that the two had been divorced for over 10 years, and that it was a mutual decision. No hard feelings.
There are still mixed views, as always with relationships in the media. There were mostly varying opinions about Obama’s side of the story. Richardson exclaimed, “He is doing a service to the country!” While Boyden claimed, “Now it’s like I don’t even know who he is anymore.”
Here at the Shallot, we love Hobama, and will until the end of time!
Now, enough of their past, what about their present?
While most people are loving this newly out couple, there are a few controversies. For one, their age gap is 32 years. Mila Boyden, Oakland School for the Arts student, complained, “That much, it’s just like, it’s- it’s too much. It just feels so wrong.”
This is a totally valid point, 32 years is a long time. And while a lot of celebrity couples have big age gaps, one like this is a little extreme. However, Obama and Styles have known each other for a long time, and have an extensive history, so they’ve had time to grow together. “Harry Styles did date a lot of older women, so it kind of makes sense that he’s into Obama,” offered Karnes.
The other concern is Robinson. Obama and Robinson seemed to be going strong, and the public was shocked to hear of their divorce. Karnes said, “I thought they were, like, a leo capricorn power couple.”
Obama eases our worries by explaining in his article that the two had been divorced for over 10 years, and that it was a mutual decision. No hard feelings.
There are still mixed views, as always with relationships in the media. There were mostly varying opinions about Obama’s side of the story. Richardson exclaimed, “He is doing a service to the country!” While Boyden claimed, “Now it’s like I don’t even know who he is anymore.”
Here at the Shallot, we love Hobama, and will until the end of time!
