Robert Pattinson E! ‘Celeb Of The Year’ 2012: For The Win, Three Years Running

Robert Pattinson may be thousands of miles away with his family in London, but back in the US he’s just won E!’s “Celeb of the Year” title for the third year running.

The actor swatted off 64 stars that included the amassed ranks of Ian Somerhalder (who came second), Lady Gaga, Rihanna, Taylor Swift, President Barack Obama, Charlize Theron, Justin Bieber, Daniel Craig, Robert Downey Jr., Ryan Gosling, Jennifer Aniston, Adele, Channing Tatum, Angelina Jolie, Prince Harry, Kanye West, Kim Kardashian, Britney Spears, Anne Hathaway, Jennifer Lawrence, and yes, Kristen Stewart — to name just a few.

Whether or not one puts any stock in these ‘entertainment’ awards, it is genuinely impressive that a British 26-year-old managed to triumph over so many homegrown (and/or Royal) names without appearing in a reality show, shilling his innermost feelings on a talk show, appearing semi-naked on Instagram — or indeed, wearing meat.

According to E!, it took five weeks of voting and some “shocking eliminations” before Pattinson could reclaim the title that’s been his for the last three years.

Inevitably — and possibly correctly — E! puts Pattinson’s win down to his high visibility in 2012 and a combination of three things: Fans, that scandal, and movies.

While mass voting by fans was undoubtedly the biggest factor in the actor’s victory today, it’s also likely that Pattinson’s restrained public response to the summer revelations involving girlfriend Kristen Stewart and her Snow White and The Huntsman director, Rupert Sanders, also stood him in good stead in the public’s perception.

In addition, a massive promotional tour — and the groundswell that came with the ending of an iconic role — and the fact that The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn – Part 2 banked a franchise box office best in November probably didn’t hurt either.

For now; a slew of mixed to magnificent reviews for his performance in David Cronenberg’s polarizing but critically acclaimed Cosmopolis has seen the DeLillo adaptation make one “Best of 2012” film list after another.

Recently nominated as Best Actor in the “Vancouver Film Critics Circle Awards” in the Canadian category, Pattinson has an interesting film slate waiting in the wings of 2013. That slate kicks off in January with The Rover, Queen of The Desert, Mission: Blacklist, Hold On To Me and Maps to the Stars will follow.

Beyond all of the above, E! gush over Pattinson’s hair and fashion choices as reasons why he took the title. While that’s certainly true, it’s possible that people simply like being part of the success story of a seemingly, genuine individual who dreams in houndstooth.