Rolling Stone coined Twilight heart throb Robert Pattinson “The Jonas Vampire” on the 2008 Hot List, and after attending events for each at one of New York’s Apple stores earlier this year we only felt it appropriate to take a look at how the two biggest teen fandoms of the year stack up. Plus, be sure to check out the expanded interview with Twilight’s dreamiest vampire — who says “There’s only so much adoration you can take” — below.
In August we hit up a Jonas Brothers mini-concert the same day their sophomore album hit stores and less than 24 hours after the trio wrapped up three sold-out nights at Madison Square Garden. In November we sat in on a Q&A with Pattinson and Twilight director Catherine Hardwicke less than two weeks before the flick hit theaters. Here’s how we fared:
LEVEL OF MAYHEM
Jonas Brothers: The Beatles on The Ed Sullivan Show
Robert Pattinson: Leonardo DiCaprio circa Titanic
FAN DEDICATION
Jonas: Though the event was supposed to be announced the morning of, fans camped out the night before to secure a spot inside. It seemed for every fan crowded around the stage inside at showtime there was another left waiting outside on the narrow NYC street, and hysteria errupted afterwards when the brothers pulled away.
Pattinson: No one camped out, but fans lined up in the wee hours of the cold November morning to snag a wristband — and waited patiently in the brisk temperature afterwards for Pattinson to leave.
LIFE-FEARING MOMENT
Jonas: The crowd began bouncing and dancing en masse as soon as the brother struck their first note — and when the enthusiasm hit fever pitch, the floor started shaking.
Pattinson: A particularly intrepid tween fan used her chance to ask a question as a plea for Pattinson to bite her neck.
SUPERFAN MOMENT
Jonas: As loud as the band was, they could barely top the volume of the jampacked crowd singing every word, “ooh” and “ah” at the top of their lungs.
Pattinson: It didn’t matter that most fans couldn’t hear him (thanks to a combination of his low speaking voice and the hordes of “I love you!” and “Take off your hat!” requests); they answered questions for him anyway.
AW-SHUCKS MOMENT
Jonas: Nick Jonas’ “I survived diabetes” spiel during “A Little Bit Longer”
Pattinson: The many ways he jokingly compared himself to Edward, which earned squeals of delight from the crowd (despite repeated pleas by the event moderator and director Catherine Hardwicke to “be cool”, the audience errupted in cheers every chance they could).
PARENTAL REACTION
Jonas: Parents (including Harry Connick, Jr.) had earplugs in place and cameras in hand to capture the moment for their daughters.
Pattinson: Twimoms (so nicknamed for being independently obsessed with the series, regardless of whether or not they have children) were in full effect, with T-shirts professing their love,
FUTURE PREDICTION
With the Jonas Brothers set to release another album next year and the next Twilight movie headed into production, the squeals and shrieks have a healthy lifespan ahead of them.
