You loathe his music, his TV show, his hair—but cut the Fall Out Boy some slack.

-By Aaron Gell

Photograph by Scott Schafer

For those inclined to hate Pete Wentz­—and there seem to be a lot of you out there­—a word of advice: Don't ever meet him. It's 11 P.M. when the Fall Out Boy bassist and lyricist­—as famous for his branding efforts, cosmetic proclivities, and tabloid-princess wife as for his music­—strides into a nearly empty restaurant in Barcelona, wearing one of his countless hoodies (this one from his clothing line, Clandestine Industries). "Dude," he says, offering his hand. He stands five feet seven, with a top-heavy bobble-head quality, and exudes so much boyish charm you're almost tempted to lick a palm and smooth his hair out of his eyes.