Jacob Elordi has faced criticism after withdrawing from the Cannes Film Festival jury due to a broken foot, only to be seen holidaying in Hawaii with rumoured girlfriend Kendall Jenner. The Australian actor, 28, was reportedly set to serve on the competition jury under president Park Chan-wook, but his injury made the appointment 'nearly impossible' due to the physical demands of the festival.
However, after photos emerged of Elordi walking around Kaua'i with Jenner, 30, many questioned the timing. Social media users accused him of lying about the injury, with one writing: 'Jacob Elordi declining a Cannes jury offer over a vacation with the Kardashian-Jenner clan tells me everything I need to know about him.' Others suggested he was risking his career by prioritising a holiday over a prestigious film industry role.
Elordi and Jenner were first linked in April after being seen together at Coachella, and a source told People they had been 'hanging out and getting to know each other'. The pair were photographed on the island of Kaua'i staying at the North Shore Preserve Resort, going for coffee and shopping at a wine shop. They were also seen sitting on a beach with what appeared to be a bottle of rosé.
After the Hawaii trip, Elordi was spotted in Los Angeles driving a car with Jenner, while Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet sat in the back. One observer noted: 'How do you turn down the chance to be one of the youngest ever Cannes jury members, due to a foot injury, only to be seen being the DRIVER in a car with 3 other passengers?'
Others defended Elordi, arguing he deserved a work-life balance after a busy year promoting Frankenstein, Wuthering Heights and Euphoria. 'God forbid a man wants to spend time with his girlfriend,' one user posted. Neither Elordi nor Jenner has commented on the dating rumours.
If he had accepted the role, Elordi would have been one of the youngest jurors in Cannes history, sitting alongside Stellan Skarsgård, Demi Moore, Chloé Zhao and others. The festival runs from May 14 to 25.
