ONE minute he was strolling down the streets of London and Rome alone, the next he had a huge Hollywood actress hanging off his arm and gazing at him adoringly.
From the outside it looked like and had gone from zero to 100 in a matter of days, but we can reveal the truth behind their transatlantic love affair – and insiders tell us how the singer really feels about his latest romance.
Harry Styles and Zoe Kravitz – the hottest new couple in town – strolling in New York
The loved-up pair couldn’t keep their hands off each other in Rome
Since Harry, 31, was first spotted with The Batman star, 36, the fandom has gone into overdrive speculating about the pair – with many bitterly branding it a PR stunt.
The fact Zoe’s new movie premiered in August and Harry’s is set for release within six-months, was not lost on some of their followers.
But insiders close to the couple have told us it couldn’t be further from that if they tried – and in fact the romance runs a lot deeper.
They told us: “There’s been lots of talk that Zoe is just with Harry to promote her new movie and he’s using her for his upcoming album, but what most people don’t know is that they have been friends for years.
“It may seem strange from the outside and like it’s moving way too fast, but you have to remember they are building their romance off of years of friendship – so they do feel super comfortable with each other.
“They’ve skipped the awkward getting to know you stage and have jumped straight in.”
Indeed, over the last few weeks the pair have been inseparable – travelling to New York and Rome.
And in an unusual move for both the stars they have ended up being photographed a lot – they haven’t shied away from the camera like they would usually do – and we can reveal why.
Our insider explained: “Harry is a very private man – it’s no secret he’s dated lots of people but it’s not always so public. If he wanted to, Harry knows exactly how to keep things underwraps.
“He’s been in this industry a long time and he knows how his fanbase reacts to things. He doesn’t take introducing the world to a new girlfriend lightly. He has thought long and hard about it but he’s prepared for the backlash because he thinks Zoe is the real deal.
“It’s never easy for someone to date Harry and they’ve definitely chatted about what it will be like – and Zoe is fully on board. It’s not just a fling and them happily being snapped really shows that.”
last month when they were seen together in .
The One Direction hitmaker, was then spotted .
And in the surest sign yet that things are progressing well, Harry was seen enjoying a lunch date with Zoe where he met her music star father Lenny in ‘s West Village.
They put on a united front, holding hands as they entered the Sant Ambroeus venue before , 61, arrived solo.
According to reports there as talk during the lunch that Harry was going to meet Zoe’s aunties to get the final seal of approval.
Rock star , 61, is said to have been impressed with the Watermelon Sugar singer.
Harry’s new romance has been branded a PR stunt by furious fans
Zoe is currently promoting a new film
“Friends of Lenny say he is very protective of Zoe, but it really seemed like he enjoyed meeting Harry. From what people could tell, he thought Harry was polite, down to earth and genuinely interested in getting to know the family,” a source told People:
“Lenny has always wanted Zoe to be with someone who respects her, and it looked like he felt Harry does. They were laughing a lot at lunch, and it came across that Lenny appreciated Harry’s sense of humour. He likes when someone can keep things light.”
Following the lunch Harry and Zoe headed to Italy again – this time for , which they are thought to have attended together.
Zoe has been single since October, after she and fellow actor after three years.
She is apparently attracted to Harry’s “cool” demeanour, which pals say reminds her of her rock star dad Lenny.
Meanwhile Harry has not had a long-term romance since his in May last year after 14 months of dating.
He counts mega-star as an ex and enjoyed flings catwalk queens , Nadine Leopold, and .
The hunk was previously linked to fellow singer Olivia Dean and Georgia Fowler and .
But while Harry might have a reputation of being a ladies’ man and heartthrob, it seems he has met his match in Zoe.
For those who aren’t up to date with her love life – she’s had no less than two engagements and one in recent years, and has been breaking hearts in Hollywood since she was 19.
And Harry isn’t even the first Grammy Award winner she’s dated – it’s certainly one of the most evenly matched he’s been in.
But could this be Harry’s happy ever after? Only time will tell… once they’ve pounded a few more pavements around the world.
Harry has already met Zoe’s dad Lenny
Harry back in 2012 with ex Taylor Swift 
