Jacob Elordi Opens Up About Emotional Toll Filming 'The Kissing Booth' Series: A Candid Reflection
Jacob Elordi opens up about his emotional experience filming 'The Kissing Booth' movies, admitting to feeling a sense of emptiness and frustration
Jacob Elordi reflects on his time as Noah Flynn in The Kissing Booth movies, admitting that he initially had reservations about taking on the role. In an interview with GQ, Elordi describes the movies as "ridiculous" and acknowledges that they provide an escape rather than universal appeal.
Elordi described the Netflix trilogy as a classic "one for them, one for me" film, a term commonly used in Hollywood to signify actors doing a big-budget movie for financial gain before pursuing a smaller passion project.
However, Elordi cautioned that this mindset can become detrimental if it becomes a constant cycle of 15 projects solely for financial purposes, leaving no room for originality or personal fulfillment. It's a delicate balance, and Elordi expressed that he has already fulfilled his obligation with his "one for them" film.
Elordi stated that his lack of concern for internet criticism and judgments is likely the reason for his happiness. He further explained his contentment, stating that he is fully immersed in his current movie endeavor.
The Australian actor achieved heartthrob status with the release of the first Kissing Booth movie in 2018. In the film, he starred alongside his ex-girlfriend Joey King (playing the role of Elle Evans) and Joel Courtney (portraying Lee Flynn). Elordi, along with his fellow cast members, returned to their roles for the second and third installments of the series, which premiered in 2020 and 2021 respectively.
Jacob Elordi and Joey King in ‘The Kissing Booth 2’. Marcos Cruz/Netflix
Elordi has garnered attention in recent years for his continuous remarks regarding the film franchise.
"I haven't had the chance to watch it. It seems you have more insight than I do," he admitted to Variety in August 2020, referring to the films. "I'm not sure if I can openly admit that, but it's the truth."
King, who was 24 at the time, responded with a tweet that has since been deleted. "Jacob witnessed it," the actress stated initially, but later on, during an episode of The Howard Stern Show in August 2020, she explained that she had obtained Elordi's consent to post the tweet, so there were no issues with it.
Elordi’s biggest issue with The Kissing Booth series was how he was perceived in Hollywood.
During a November 2021 interview with Esquire, Jacob Elordi reflected on his past concerns about others' perceptions of him, particularly regarding his acting abilities and his filmography. Feeling insecure, he felt compelled to demonstrate his seriousness as an actor and often felt misunderstood.
Elordi expressed gratitude for the opportunity presented by The Kissing Booth movies, despite his personal sentiments towards them. He acknowledged that his involvement in those movies played a significant role in his current career in film and television. Furthermore, Elordi has since appeared in Euphoria and is currently starring in Priscilla, a film directed by Sofia Coppola, which is currently playing in theaters.
