Henry talked to ELLE magazine as part of the Batman v Superman promotion, and it's a revealing interview where he opens up about his relationship with his girlfriend Tara (who he's been dating since late last summer), their age difference, and what he thinks about people having a "hall pass."
Henry also mentions his resistance to taking off his clothes during his time in The Tudors, and much more!
Read his interview by clicking on the pic or below. UPDATE (2/19): Henry's interview is now online.
MAN STEELS HEART
Henry Cavill — Superman himself — lets Mickey Rapkin in on his singular taste in women and how to fend off fans who only want him for his tights
Man of Steel was the Superman reboot many die-hard fans never believed possible. Turns out, there was a way to supplant Christopher Reeve’s earnestly gorgeous man in tights (and his bumbling alter ego) in audience’s minds: by updating him with a distinctly twenty-first-century hero. Henry Cavill’s brooding, yoked he-man returns this month in Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice, opposite Ben Affleck as the caped crusader.
As it happens, Cavill, 32, has had his share of Clark Kent–ian moments. At his posh English boarding school, classmates called him “Fat Cavill” and “lemon” — local slang, he explains, for someone who “tries too hard to impress the girls and is a bit of a knob about it.”
Presumably, Cavill (who first hit our radar as Henry VIII’s eye-candy henchman in Showtime’sThe Tudors) has improved on that front. He’s been linked to MMA fighter Gina Carano, The Big Bang Theory’s Kaley Cuoco, Paris Hilton, and now a 19-year-old university student — a relationship he swears is about much more than what’s on your dirty mind.
ELLE: Did you have a childhood obsession with a famous woman?
HENRY CAVILL: I didn’t really, no. I didn’t have posters up. I still don’t have any crushes on actresses or models. It’s always been one of those things with girlfriends. They say, “Who’s on your list?” What do you call it, the Get Out of Jail Free card?
ELLE: Are you talking about a hall pass?
HC: Every single girlfriend has asked. I say I don’t have a list and they go, “Okay, well I’ve got this person….” And I go, “Stop right there. I don’t need to know who you really want to have sex with. I’m probably going to work with that person.” I just explained this to my girlfriend. She said, “That’s a fair point.”
ELLE: You’re in a unique situation.
HC: It’s odd, yeah. But I’m loyal to a fault. I may have learned that from my mother.
ELLE: You showed a lot of skin on The Tudors. Were you always comfortable naked?
HC: Are you kidding me? I had to start telling the producers, “Stop making me take my clothes off.” One year they said, “For the publicity shot, we’re going to have you shirtless holding a horse.” I said, “Why the fuck am I shirtless? My character has changed. He’s a morose, depressed dude.” They’re like, “Yeah… but people love it.”
ELLE: How does it feel to be objectified?
HC: I don’t consider it being objectified. If people like to see me with my shirt off, it’s enormously flattering. But that doesn’t mean I’m going to take my shirt off all the time.
ELLE: Can you tell the difference between a girl who’s interested in Henry Cavill and one who just wants to sleep with Superman?
HC: One, you never know. Two, if you’re just looking for a shag, does it really matter? And three, are they really different things? I think I have some similar traits or ideology to the character.
ELLE: What’s the most painful thing a woman’s ever said to you?
HC: In a rocky patch with a girlfriend, she asked me to go away to see a friend. I was supposed to be gone for a week. Then she said, “Stay away another week.” My head was pretty wrecked. When you give your all to something and you’re hitting a wall, it just feels so wrong. It felt like school again in the sense that, What am I doing wrong? It’s that feeling of hopelessness, I guess.
ELLE: We grow up, but in some ways we’re still the same person.
HC: Nature is a definite thing. But nurture is just as powerful. It can really mess with you.
ELLE: You’re dating a 19-year old. I have to ask, What do you talk about?
HC: Everything. People say, “Age is just a number.” A lot of times it’s not just a number. It’s actually a real and true sign of someone’s maturity. But in this case, she’s fantastic.
ELLE: But you understand the knee-jerk reaction to her age, right?
HC: It’s a natural reaction. But when I was 19, I was going out with a 32-year-old.
ELLE: Really? What did she teach you?
HC: Things that I can’t mention in an article.
ELLE: When have you been intimidated by a woman?
HC: If someone’s trying to intimidate me, male or female, I don’t respect them enough to be intimidated. But when I first met my girlfriend, I was super intimidated. I wanted to impress her. I was thinking, Don’t mess this up, man. You’ve gotta play your cards exactly right.
ELLE: But you’re Superman!
HC: Everyone doubts themselves. It’s just a matter of admitting it or not.
ELLE: Okay. What’s the one thing you could find in a woman’s apartment that would lead you to believe you’re incompatible?
HC: [Laughs] A Batman statuette.
You can find Henry's new interview on the March Issue of ELLE, which is now out on newstands (last page). Order your copy here.
@HenryCavillNews Wow! This is the most personal interview I've ever read or heard from him. Sweet words about his ❤️. I'm happy he's happy!😊— Tammy (@TamSan1976) February 14, 2016
@HenryCavillNews He is an amazing person who deserves to be happy. It's hard to imagine him been nervous about a girl. So sweet.— Haydée A. (@LatinasianP) February 14, 2016
@HenryCavillNews I am happy when he is happy!!!!He deserves all things good in this world!!He is such a gent!!Nothing but love for him!!Xx<3— eva stabouli (@evastabouli) February 14, 2016
@HenryCavillNews I always knew Henry was a lovely human being & a true gent &handsome.Having read t article I kno I'm right!All gud wishes 😘— Stephanie Freeman (@etngraz) February 14, 2016
He has changed so much. Not really sure what to make of this interview.
ReplyDeleteHow? He's always been honest. Good for him.
Deletethat was my initial thought as well. at times it felt like someone was trying to answer questions like he would, f.e. pages like tmz would just twist the words around. or like some pr-people thought it was a good idea. he's usually quite private, isn't he? i don't know if i'm reading too much into this, but something felt off even while i was still reading it for the first time.
Deletefor the part that he's happy with tara and she's incredible and they have much in common and to talk about, that's honestly great for him and i wish him all the best!
Henry hasn't changed. He just doesn't live up to who you assumed he was according to past interviews etc, is what you are really saying...
DeletePeople change in time when meeting certain people. I certainly have through experience. Doesn't mean they're bad nor have they changed as a person, just personal interest. Happy Valentine's, also wishing Henry and his love a wonderful Valentine's as well.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteAnonymous February 15, 2016 at 1:32. Then you're very closed-minded because he's always been the same with his fans. If you mean different in his personal interest that has nothing to do with fans then I strongly suggest you stop looking into it because it clearly has nothing to do with us.
DeleteAnonymous February 15, 2016 at 11:27 PM I didn't mean with his fans or in his personal interests I mean in terms of how he represents himself in interviews. And please don't call me closed minded because I'm not.
DeleteThe way you just mentioned "how he represents himself in interviews" just shows my point. He hasn't changed one bit, he's open about certain things he's comfortable to talk about and sometimes he may regret being too open, but that's just how he is and has always been. The fact that people point out the littlest things instead of it as a whole shows they're very closed-minded. Apologise if you don't like that word but it's true.
DeletePerhaps it's just down to perception. It'll also depend on what interviews have been read and which ones haven't been.
DeleteGood for him as long as he is happy, that is all that matters. Fans and just people in general are always going to have their opinion on such a ssubject but at the end of the day, only he really knows what she is like and why he is with her. So like i said if he's happy which he obviously his, then i wish them all the best however far their relationship goes. xx
ReplyDeleteGood grief! How have his past girlfriends even had a hall pass list!??? They are with the hottest man, he is the "hall pass" lol!
ReplyDeleteYep! He's definitely my hall pass. As if that would ever happen.
DeleteHaha Anon 9:05. He is mine too. No lie, I scan every airport I am in for him lol!!!
DeleteI love it! Exploding heads!
ReplyDeleteLOL! Yup. The fact though that this writer added in Paris Hilton downgrades his credibility a bit for me. Seriously people! They shared a ride!
DeleteI don't think he even knew she was at the back, he did drink a bit lool. But yeah, there was defo nothing going on they are or were only mutual friends.
DeleteI'm really glad he opened up considering all the madness that has hit social media. It's a good diffuser. His ideals are different than others, but it doesn't make it wrong. I hope this girl sticks and it works out for them. Lord knows we'd all like to see him happy and maybe have a chance to see some mini-Henrys/Henriettas! I love the "deal-breaker" comment at the end, so so funny.
ReplyDeleteI wish it would be a diffuser but people are already taking his comments and trashing him. The guy can't seem to win. I liked the article myself.
DeleteMe too. I guess only time will tell if they last but either way, good for them i say!
DeleteThe people that are trashing him now are the same people that have always trashed him. You know the ones that claim that they'll no longer be fans, but continue to obsess. It suppose it goes with the territory. Fan is short for fanatic.
DeleteHenry isn't a fictional character in one of those "books" and he isn't whatever people dream up in their heads. He's a guy who likes a girl. Happens all the time.
The trashing has taken on a whole new level. It's bordering on criminal. I suggest people look up terms libel, slander and defamation.
DeleteYep along with other even nastier words being used to describe Henry. It's upsetting fans of his could turn this way on him.
DeleteYeah I saw that. Oi-vey.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteI have a feel this interview is fake somehow.
ReplyDeleteIt's not. Check out the pic we posted on Twitter. The magazine is out on newsstands now.
DeleteIt's legit. The issue is in stores right now.
DeleteWow the amount of denial between fans is hilarious. Henry is happy why can't people respect that and be happy for him. Get over it and move on!
DeleteTo Anon 10:14..sadly many of thee people only want Henry happy on their terms.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteBest of luck Henry routing for you, I think this will end in heart ache on your part, I know you said the age thing dies not bother you, but what About Tara, sorry just saying stay true be happy.
ReplyDeleteIf it bothered her then she wouldn't be with him. It's as simple as that. And also, let them be concerned of their personal end not us. I really wanted to see him post a pic of her, hopefully in future we get one, she's really beautiful.
Deletepeople need to stop trashing henry. kudos to him to even talk about it! i'm happy that he's happy. now... i love the last line.... a batman statuette. LOL!
ReplyDeleteExcelente! Me encanta que asuma su noviazgo con tanta dulzura.:-)
ReplyDeleteTranslation for morochasound February 14, 2016 at 10:23 AM by Rebecca
DeleteExcellent! I love it treats his relationship with so much sweetness. :-)
Off topic - The Elle cover photo of Brie Larson is terrible. I hate all of this over the top contouring. It looks like she has a brown triangle drawn on her face. Wait, she has a brown triangle drawn on her face. Brie is a beautiful woman and that picture just doesn't do her justice.
ReplyDeleteTotally agree, airbrushing and photo countering shoukd stop, it put the incorrect message out to so many young impressionable you girls and boys.
DeleteI don't even think it looks like her. She's far more beautiful than this airbrushed image.
DeleteAMAZING I LOVED THE INTERVIEW! THANKS HCN FOR SHARING THIS DELITE! <333
ReplyDeleteThis interview made me think of the Jimmy Fallon interview he did.
Deleteis this true love? only time will tell .....
ReplyDeleteTrue love never dies
DeleteWell best of luck to them both, and to her especially, what comes with dating a famous person is not something I want to deal with but if she at 18,19 years old is "mature" enough to handle herself and his very public life than more power to the both. Like you said time will tell.
DeleteLucky woman the 32-years-old girl. A scoop. Interesting interview. Strange thinks in the form : 508 pages ???? Old picture !!! Weird
ReplyDeletehttps://twitter.com/HenryCavillNews/status/698921181248823296
DeleteYep, I just saw it at the grocery store. It's like a Bible! pretty heavy. Henry's interview bookends it. There is nothing unusual about it. He's given plenty of interviews where they use stock photos, just this summer he talked to Cosmo and they did the same thing.
I'm sorry but I don't get what the "hall pass" means. Could somebody explain it to me?
ReplyDeleteAnonymous February 15, 2016 at 12:33 PM. This version of "Hall Pass" does not refer to written permission from a teacher for a student to be out the classroom and in the halls of the school but to permission given by your lover to fool around with (possibly sleep with) another person outside your relationship without consequences.
DeleteI hope this helps.
Rebecca
Thank you, Rebecca!
DeleteWhy do you think he swears in interviews? Benedict Cumberbatch does it too.
ReplyDeleteWe're brits we can't help it haha
DeleteI didn't know Henry had to check in with obsessed people before dating anyone. Firstly their both grown, last time i checked 19 wasn't a child. It's kinda sad and vile at some of the comments I'm reading on here about him. He's not hurt anyone, He's not a pervert and deserves happiness. Just because he's Play superman doesn't mean he lives his life like him. Henry has always been honest and a gentleman in all his interviews. If anything his words can be taken out of context in an article not saying that they have here. It's wrong when people say he's a perv, a sicko, a jerk etc but he's not the first person to date someone younger than them.
ReplyDeleteMaxwell Caulfield 56 his wife Juliet Mills 74
Vivienne Westwood i believe is 25 years older than her husband.
Kate Hudson is 13 years older than Nick Jonas
Sylvester Stallone is 22 years older than his wife
George Clooney is 16 years older than his wife.
The list can go on and on. Thing is It's none of anybody's business who Henry dates. If it's going to last it will last regardless of what others say.
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
DeleteAnd you know this how? funny how some people know a lot more about the relationship and the people involved. She's younger yes that's true however she's not a baby. I don't think Henry will look back at the relationship and feel ashamed. What's or who's to say this won't last. Fed up with obsessed "fans" or whatever you want to call yourselves saying he's a perv! They both know what their doing I wish them well. If their was a issue with age I'm sure her parents would have spoken up about it. Leave them be.
DeleteThis comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
ReplyDeleteIt kills me when I see overly obsessed fans mock and belittle Henry but they kiss Charlie's ass on his IG account. F*cking hypocrites.
ReplyDeleteHear hear. I couldn't agree more. Infuriating.
Delete