Jacob Elordi, the 26-year-old sensation known for his roles in ‘Euphoria’ and ‘Priscilla,’ is not holding back when it comes to being candid about his career choices, especially in relation to the Netflix ‘Kissing Booth’ films that propelled him to stardom. In a recent GQ cover story, Jacob opened up about his initial reluctance to take on the teen trilogy, revealing that he accepted the role mainly out of necessity.
“I didn’t want to make those movies before I made those movies. Those movies are ridiculous. They’re not universal. They’re an escape,” Jacob declared, shedding light on the fact that, at the time, he saw the films as a means to an end – a job he took to pay the bills rather than a passion project.
The conversation with the interviewer delved into the industry’s common mindset of “one for them, one for me” – a strategy where actors balance commercial projects with more personal, passion-driven endeavors. Jacob, however, offered a cautionary perspective on this approach, stating, “That one’s a trap as well. Because it can become 15 for them, none for you. You have no original ideas and you’re dead inside. So it’s a fine dance. My ‘one for them,’ I’ve done it.”
This raw honesty in addressing the realities of navigating a career in the entertainment industry is both refreshing and admirable. Jacob’s willingness to admit that not every project aligns with his artistic aspirations showcases a level of authenticity not often seen in the public eye.
As the conversation delved deeper, Jacob also addressed the perception that he is ‘pretentious’ based on the types of projects he wishes to undertake. In response to the notion that caring about one’s output might be labeled as pretentious, Jacob posed a thought-provoking question, saying, “How is caring about your output pretentious? But not caring, and knowingly feeding people shit, knowing that you’re making money off of people’s time, which is literally the most valuable thing that they have – how is that the cool thing?”
This unapologetic commitment to maintaining artistic integrity in the face of potential criticism is commendable. Jacob Elordi’s refusal to conform to industry norms and his bold stance on valuing quality over popularity is a testament to his dedication to the craft and respect for the audience’s time.
In a world where celebrity personas are often carefully curated, Jacob’s willingness to lay bare the challenges and contradictions within the entertainment industry offers a refreshing perspective. As he continues to navigate his career, one can’t help but admire the guts it takes to be so honest about the highs and lows of the journey, demonstrating that authenticity and passion can coexist in a world that sometimes demands compromise.
