There's something fishy going on in the world of celebrity gossip, and this time around the alleged source isn't all that unlikely. With the unprecedented whirlwind of fan interest and support engulfing rumored couple Alexander Skarsgard and Ellen Page becoming more and more impenetrable, a miscalculated attempt to capitalize on the attention might just result in career suicide.
When speculation about a potential relationship between co-stars Ellen Page and Alexander Skarsgard began almost two years ago, it was understandable and organic in nature. In addition to traveling together to promote their critically acclaimed film 'The East', the two were spotted on numerous non-work related dates and even fueled the fire themselves via PDA filled twitpics.
Late last week, however, reporting on the two suddenly took a seemingly dark and vindictive turn - with 'What about Ellen Page?' and 'Alexander Skarsgard's New Girlfriend Is No Ellen Page' headlines peppering the world of celeb reporting.
At the root of it all? A Daily Mail article featuring pictures of Alexander Skarsgard in his homeland of Sweden... standing 3 feet away from another woman - actress Alicia Vikander.
Throughout the set of photos, the 'True Blood' actor conveys friendly disinterest and routinely appears to be confused.
At one point Vikander seems to be using physical conversational cues as a way to get Skarsgard to switch to a more paparazzi photo friendly position.
Yet, The Daily Mail ran the awkward photos with a seemingly contrived narrative - They’re thought to have been dating for over a year and it looks like True Blood star Alexander Skarsgard and his gorgeous girlfriend Alicia Vikander are still going strong.
It's hard not to see this as an unsuccessful attempt to mimic the buzz creating coverage on Skarsgard and Page.
Almost 3 months prior, the same publication ran an almost identical story about the two ( 'More in love than ever: Alexander Skarsgard plants a tender kiss on girlfriend Ellen Page' ) - stating:
They've been dating for a year, and their romance seems to be going from strength to strength.
And Alexander Skarsgard and Ellen Page looked more in love than ever as they took some time out from promoting their new movie, The East, over the weekend.
The pictures included with both articles seem to tell a story that spotlights a key difference between forced reporting and honest journalism.
Has The Daily Mail hit a new low or is there some encouraging going on behind the scenes?
Vikander has previously denied a romance with Skarsgard, saying:
I wrote to him: "Oh Alexander, I saw that you are going to propose to me." It's bizarre to read. We are good friends. As always abroad, it is the same if you meet other Swedes on charter in Thailand, so it depends if you run into each other. We are a group who meet up and go out and jaws dinners together.
...but she's also expressed fear regarding the longevity of her career, admitting:
"I'm still afraid I'm suddenly not going to get more jobs. I get so excited every time I get a new role. But at the same time, hell, I would not know what I'm doing in ten years."
Has bad advice behind the scenes forced the undeniably talented actress into taking the tabloid fodder route to fame?
Case in point, via popular website fashionstyle.com + 08/29/13:
"Alexander Skarsgard is making headlines for chanting at a crowd at a Swedish soccer game,and girlfriend Alicia Vikander was probably there egging him on. "
...eh? PR 101
Regardless, just as the faux reporting was starting to work in her favor ( Who Is Alicia Vikander? Alexander Skarsgard Considering Marriage With New Girlfriend, Report Says ),Alexander Skarsgard nipped it all in the bud via a surprise phone interview. When asked if he was single, he replied with a simple and to the point 'Yes'.
...but she's also expressed fear regarding the longevity of her career, admitting:
"I'm still afraid I'm suddenly not going to get more jobs. I get so excited every time I get a new role. But at the same time, hell, I would not know what I'm doing in ten years."
Has bad advice behind the scenes forced the undeniably talented actress into taking the tabloid fodder route to fame?
Case in point, via popular website fashionstyle.com + 08/29/13:
"Alexander Skarsgard is making headlines for chanting at a crowd at a Swedish soccer game,and girlfriend Alicia Vikander was probably there egging him on. "
...eh? PR 101
Regardless, just as the faux reporting was starting to work in her favor ( Who Is Alicia Vikander? Alexander Skarsgard Considering Marriage With New Girlfriend, Report Says ),Alexander Skarsgard nipped it all in the bud via a surprise phone interview. When asked if he was single, he replied with a simple and to the point 'Yes'.
Sorry Alicia.
Meanwhile, Page has continued to stay mum on her personal life - but a quick revisit of old interviews gives a sweet glimpse of what we just might be in for:
“I’m not even 21 yet, so I could change my mind obviously, but yeah, would I be stoked to have a little rugrat to take camping and climb trees with? Hells yeah. But I’m also not ready to listen to it cry and want the toy at Wal-Mart.I’m going to be like ‘consumerism – bad!’ Freak out on my child. I don’t know if I’m balanced and selfless enough yet to be selfless to a little munchkin. I’m definitely into someday being able to have someone to shift my attention. I think it would be a cool process.”
So do we, Ms. Page. So do we.
SOURCE 1 /2/3/4/5/6/7 + me + 8