Jacob Elordi: Accusations and Wuthering Heights Controversy

You might know Jacob Elordi as the towering heartthrob from The Kissing Booth or the terrifying Nate Jacobs on Euphoria. Lately, though, he’s been in the headlines for something far more complicated: a casting firestorm that has reignited debates about race, fidelity to literature, and who gets to play iconic characters.

Age (2024): 27 years · Height: 6 ft 5 in (196 cm) · Net worth (estimate): $4 million · Born: 26 June 1997 (Brisbane, Australia) · Notable roles: Noah Flynn (The Kissing Booth), Nate Jacobs (Euphoria), Felix Catton (Saltburn)

Seven key facts about Jacob Elordi, pulled from reliable sources:

What is Jacob Elordi being accused of?

The fiercest criticism targeting Elordi right now is about his casting as Heathcliff in Emerald Fennell’s Wuthering Heights adaptation. In Emily Brontë’s novel, Heathcliff is repeatedly described with dark skin and referred to using colonial-era terms such as “lascar” – language that has led many readers to see the character as non-white. When a white Australian actor was cast, the backlash was immediate.

Harper’s Bazaar explains that the online fury escalated to the point where casting director Kharmel Cochrane received a threat that she “should be shot” (Harper’s Bazaar). The Guardian confirmed that Cochrane publicly defended the choice, saying “accuracy was not essential” (The Guardian).

In a separate, less documented thread, there have been unconfirmed media reports of personal misconduct allegations against Elordi in 2024. No charges were filed, and the actor has not publicly addressed them.

The pattern: One well-documented controversy with explicit source backing, plus a second set of allegations that remains in the “unclear” column.

Who is Jacob Elordi in a relationship with?

Elordi’s love life has been tabloid fodder for years. The two most prominent links: co-star Zendaya and model Kendall Jenner.

His rumored relationship with Zendaya coincided with their work on Euphoria (2019–2021). Neither party confirmed it, but paparazzi photos and on-set chemistry kept the rumor alive. Later, in 2022, Elordi was photographed multiple times with Kendall Jenner. Entertainment outlets reported a brief romance that fizzled by 2023.

As of early 2025, Elordi has not made any official relationship announcement. His current status remains unconfirmed.

Is Jacob Elordi LGBTQ?

Jacob Elordi has never publicly identified as LGBTQ. Speculation arises because he has played queer or sexually ambiguous roles – notably the closeted Nate Jacobs in Euphoria and the explicitly bisexual Felix Catton in Saltburn.

But an actor’s roles are not evidence of their identity. No interview or social media post suggests Elordi identifies as anything other than heterosexual. The speculation is entirely fan-driven and lacks any confirmatory source.

What did Margot Robbie say about Jacob Elordi?

Margot Robbie, who stars opposite Elordi in Wuthering Heights, has been one of his most vocal defenders. In a Variety Australia interview, she said: “I saw him play Heathcliff. And he is Heathcliff. I’d say, just wait. Trust me, you’ll be happy” (Variety Australia).

Robbie also pushed back on criticism of the age gap between the performers and the novel’s characters. In the book, Catherine Earnshaw is a teenager; Robbie was in her mid‑30s during filming. The Guardian noted that some critics called attention to this discrepancy (The Guardian). Robbie’s response: “Just wait and see the film.”

What’s the age gap? Robbie was born 2 July 1990, Elordi 26 June 1997 – exactly seven years.

Why is the new Wuthering Heights controversial?

Three main friction points fuel the controversy.

Heathcliff’s race

In Brontë’s text, Heathcliff is referred to as a “dark‑skinned gypsy” and a “lascar” – a term used for Indian sailors. India Today highlighted these descriptions as central to the backlash (India Today). Many readers and critics argue that casting a white actor erases the character’s racial ambiguity.

Explicit content

The Guardian described the adaptation as “erotic” and more overtly romanticized than the novel (The Guardian). Some worry the film may reframe Heathcliff and Cathy’s abusive relationship as a love story. The trailer itself sparked renewed debate when it dropped in September 2025.

What did the casting director say?

Kharmel Cochrane told The Guardian: “It’s just a book” – a comment that inflamed critics who felt she was dismissing the source material’s significance.

The implication: The controversy isn’t just about one movie. It’s about how Hollywood adapts classic literature whose racial context is inseparable from the story.

Timeline

Key dates in Jacob Elordi’s public journey:

• 2018 – The Kissing Booth released; breakthrough role.
• 2019–2021 – Starred as Nate Jacobs in Euphoria; rumored relationship with Zendaya.
• 2022 – Linked to Kendall Jenner; paparazzi photos published.
• 2023 – Appeared in Saltburn; acclaimed performance; relationships reportedly ended.
• 2024 – Public allegations of misconduct surface (unconfirmed); cast as Heathcliff in Wuthering Heights.
• 2025 – Wuthering Heights trailer released; casting controversy peaks; Margot Robbie and casting director address backlash.

Clarity: what’s confirmed and what’s unclear

Confirmed facts

• Date of birth and height: per Wikipedia (Wikipedia).
• Roles in The Kissing Booth, Euphoria, Saltburn – per IMDb.
• Rumored relationship with Kendall Jenner widely reported by tabloids.
• Margot Robbie praised his Saltburn performance and his Wuthering Heights casting in multiple interviews (see above).
• The Guardian, Harper’s Bazaar, and Variety Australia have independently verified the casting controversy and Robbie’s quotes.

What’s unclear

• Current relationship status: no official statement since 2023.
• Sexuality: no public identification; speculation based on roles only.
• Specific details of the personal misconduct allegations: ongoing media reports but no confirmed legal filings.
• Exact nature of the Wuthering Heights adaptation’s fidelity to the novel – the film is not yet released.
• Whether the film’s explicit content will match the novel’s implied violence.

Key quotes

“I saw him play Heathcliff. And he is Heathcliff. I’d say, just wait. Trust me, you’ll be happy.”

— Margot Robbie, speaking to Variety Australia (Variety Australia)

“It’s just a book. Accuracy was not essential.”

— Kharmel Cochrane, casting director, quoted in The Guardian (The Guardian)

“This generation’s Titanic” – that’s how an India Today report framed the scale of the Wuthering Heights backlash (India Today).

Each quote comes from a different speaker, offering distinct perspectives on the same controversy.

The implication: The people closest to the film are asking the public to wait, but the text of the novel and the history of literary interpretation suggest the criticism is not going away.

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