The new musical biopic Better Man has sparked a huge debate online between Americans and Brits, over how famous its subject, UK pop star Robbie Williams, really is. As Americans online assert they have “no idea” who Williams is, it’s fun to be reminded that the US really does think it’s the only country in the world.
With the long-awaited biopic about Robbie Williams’ life hitting cinemas on Boxing Day, there are many aspects to the film that might confuse unaware viewers.
For instance, the fact that Williams is being portrayed by a CGI monkey is sure to cause many people to scratch their heads. And no, nobody else in the movie is a monkey. Just Robbie.
First clip from a musical sequence in ‘BETTER MAN’, a biopic starring a CGI monkey as Robbie Williams.
— DiscussingFilm (@DiscussingFilm) December 18, 2024
In theaters on January 10. pic.twitter.com/p59I08gmNL
However, it is not this particular element of Better Man that confuses the entire nation. No, dear reader, the question stumping American viewers is a much more philosophical one: Who is Robbie Williams?
This question speaks to how the United States views itself as a member of the global community… and only slightly exposes the fact that they think of themselves as the cultural centre of the world.
Brits shocked Americans don’t know Robbie Williams
Prior to the release of Better Man, various clips and snippets of the movie were shared online to promote the film. Ya know, basic movie stuff.
While this helped to garner excitement from Williams’ fans around the UK, large parts of Europe, and Australia, many Americans were perplexed by the existence of the film.
“Who is Robbie Williams and why does he have a biopic where he is a cartoon monkey?” asked one X user.
“Who TF is Robbie Williams? Why are people mad that Americans are not interested in whatever movie he’s associated with?” wrote another.
Who is Robbie Williams and why does he have a biopic where he is a cartoon monkey?
— Meme Gene (@ofreacharound) December 27, 2024
See kids, even though Robbie Williams was a pretty recognisable name in Australia, and was a massive phenomenon in his home country of the UK — he never quite cracked the American market.
And even though the “Angels” singer has a tonne of records and accolades to his name, to many Americans it seems their resounding opinion is that if he wasn’t famous there, then he wasn’t famous at all.
“In the trailer Robbie states he’s one of the biggest pop stars in the world,” shared one disgruntled American.
“I literally never heard of him. Nor do I want to watch a biopic of him.”
Another American shared on TikTok they only knew Williams from a one-off performance on X Factor.
@_firozeh_ Is this a unique experience?#robbiewilliams #betterman #onedirection #xfactor #creatorsearchinsights ♬ original sound – Robbie Williams
Unsurprisingly, many Brits did not take kindly to this sledging of one of their national treasures. So now we get to enjoy all the fun of watching a bunch of uppity Brits on TikTok and X get all high-and-mighty against the uneducated Yanks.
“Americans slandering Robbie Williams for ‘Rock DJ’ as if it is not one of the best songs ever made,” one wrote.
Not to mention one of the most horrifying music videos ever made. That thing was traumatising. Google at your own risk.
i can’t believe americans never had the experience of getting traumatized by robbie williams at a young age pic.twitter.com/yIWZKQ7vL0
— mariana ✩ (@satelliterrie) December 28, 2024
Another Williams-defender got millions of views on TikTok for comparing the “Better Man” singer to one especially famous American — Taylor Swift.
“Remember how Taylor Swift broke the record for the most tickets sold in a day in late 2022 for the Eras Tour? Guess who held the record before her. For seventeen years,” they posted.
@sophiegotsleeved I’ve never been more excited for a film tbh #robbiewilliams #betterman #rockdj #knebworth #bettermanmovie ♬ original sound – Robbie Williams
This comparison still didn’t help some folks catch on to Williams’ level of fame, with some still asserting they’d “literally never heard of the guy”.
“Never met a real-life Robbie Williams fan yet he’s apparently so famous, I don’t get it,” read a top comment.
Honestly, if this is the hill America wants to die on, I reckon we leave them to it.
At any moment their next President is only ever three tweets away from starting a civil war, so if bonding against a common enemy helps the United States remain united, then good for them I guess.
Lead Image: Getty/Better Man.
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