Jacob Elordi slammed for brushing off rom-com that made him famous as ‘ridiculous’ – as fans and former co-stars turn on him for smug interview

By William On Dec 4, 2023

Jacob Elordi has been arrested for a comment he made about the rom-com that made him famous.

The Australian Hollywood star, 26, raised eyebrows earlier this month when he made disparaging comments about The Kissing Booth film franchise, which he starred in between 2018 and 2021, in his GQ Cover story Men of the Year.

“I didn't want to make those movies before I made those movies,” he told the publication, adding, “Those movies are ridiculous. They are not universal. They are an escape.”

As for the Hollywood actor's ethos of making 'one for them, one for me' – Jacob scoffed: 'That one's a trap too. Because for them it can be 15, for you none. You have no original ideas and you are dead inside. So it's a nice dance. My 'one for them', I did it.”

Elordi's career has skyrocketed since The Kissing Booth thanks to his breakthrough role in Euphoria and then Priscilla.

Jacob Elordi, 26, (pictured) has been criticized by fans and former co-stars for dismissing The Kissing Booth film trilogy as 'ridiculous'

Joey King, Elordi's ex-girlfriend and co-star in the films, has since criticized him for being the popular (yet judged bleakly) trilogy.

“I think it's a shame that anyone would feel that way,” the 24-year-old Emmy nominee – who starred as Rochelle “Elle” Evans – said Variety last Saturday.

“I had a great time making those movies, no matter what anyone says.”

King and Elordi were just 17 and 19 when they started dating on the set of the Netflix romance in January 2017, but they split in November 2018, which she confirmed. Refinery29 in March 2019.

Also outraged by Olvia Jade Giannulli's boyfriend's comments was Taylor Zakhar Perez, who played transfer student and Elle's dance partner Marco Valentin Peña.

“I thought it was a shame because as far as I know everyone else had such a great experience,” the 31-year-old Red, White & Royal Blue actor told Variety on November 17.

Joey King (pictured), Elordi's ex-girlfriend and co-star in the films, has since criticized him for dismissing the popular (but dismally reviewed) trilogy, telling Variety: “I think it's a shame that someone would thinks about. I had a great time making those films, no matter what anyone says.”

'It's a shame that this was his experience on set. Especially when those movies came out, it was a time when we really needed something like this,” they continued.

“I know from our interactions with fans, where I get stopped everywhere, what Kissing Booth means to people and what it has brought them in such a dark time. I think the silver lining is that he still made people laugh and feel good.”

On November 17, Elordi attempted some damage control and backtracked on his statement, telling Variety, “I'm incredibly grateful to everyone involved.”

King and Elordi were just 17 and 19 when they started dating on the set of their Netflix romance in January 2017, but they split in November 2018, which she confirmed to Refinery29 in March 2019.

Also outraged by the 6-foot-2 heartthrob's comments was Taylor Zakhar Perez (R), who played transfer student and Elle's dance partner Marco Valentin Peña.

Meanwhile, fans of The Kissing Booth have criticized Elordi online, calling him “ungrateful” and “disrespectful” to his former colleagues.

“Jacob Elordi needs to understand that if you shit on a project like he did, he's also shitting on his co-stars, the creators and most importantly the fans,” one user wrote.

'Those films are important to many fans. Don't ignore them just because you've suddenly stepped up,” they added.

Another agreed: “I hate actors who downplay their humble beginnings, where their careers started.”

Someone else added: 'Not great films to be honest, but some respect for your previous projects would be good.'

The Kissing Booth was Elordi's second feature film role and – thanks record-breaking binging by fans – he quickly became a household name.

In the trilogy, he portrayed Harvard-bound jock Noah Flynn, the long-time crush on late-blooming teen Elle Evans (Joey King) who has never been kissed.

Elle decides to run a kissing booth at her high school's Spring Carnival, and sparks fly when she finds herself locking lips with Noah.

In a twist, Noah turns out to be the older brother of her best friend Lee (Joel Courtney), and her budding romance puts their friendship in jeopardy.

Jacob does currently Down Under films his role as Australian Imperial Force soldier Dorrigo Evans in Amazon Prime Video's five-part adaptation of Richard Flanagan's 2013 novel The Narrow Road to the Deep North.

Elordi will next reprise his role as “psychopathic” East Highland High School quarterback Nate Jacobs in the third season of Euphoria (with a five-year time jump), which begins filming this month.

Meanwhile, fans of The Kissing Booth have criticized Elordi online, calling him “ungrateful” and “disrespectful” to his former colleagues