At the Los Angeles premiere of his latest film, Wuthering Heights, Jacob Elordi created a memorable moment involving a gum toss. In footage shared by Bustle, Elordi discreetly removed gum from his mouth and handed it to his mother, who held it in her palm as he turned to face photographers. This incident caught the eye of many viewers due to its awkward yet endearing nature.
Elordi’s gesture quickly became a talking point because it echoed a similar moment shared by actor Adrien Brody, who famously tossed gum to his partner, Georgina Chapman, before accepting the Best Actor Oscar for The Brutalist in 2025. This particular scene had become iconic after Brody’s unexpected gum mishap during his acceptance speech.
Adrien Brody Reflects on His Own Gum Toss Experience
Adrien Brody responded to the viral video of Elordi’s gum moment with a brief comment saying, “Relatable,” showcasing his amusement and empathy toward the younger star’s situation. Brody’s own gum toss had drawn mixed reactions, but Chapman revealed it was her suggestion, explaining the circumstances behind the unusual decision.
I asked him to do it,
Chapman told Page Six after the Oscars.
I saw him standing there. I could see that moment of panic on his face. He was really like, ‘Wow, I shouldn’t be having gum.’
Brody himself later spoke about the incident during an interview with Live With Kelly & Mark, where he acknowledged his oversight and the pressure of the moment.
I forgot I was chewing gum, and I can’t [chew gum in a] thank-you speech,
he admitted.
I could’ve! I didn’t think about that. [I just thought], ‘I’ve got to get rid of this somehow!’
Jacob Elordi’s Rising Career and Oscar Nomination
Jacob Elordi’s recent high-profile moment comes as he celebrates his first Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor. He earned this nod for his portrayal of the Creature in Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein, positioning him alongside distinguished contenders like Sean Penn, Benicio Del Toro, Delroy Lindo, and Stellan Skarsgård. This recognition marks a significant milestone in Elordi’s evolving acting career.
During a November interview with Entertainment Weekly, Elordi described the intense preparation he underwent for his role. He maintained a detailed personal journal written entirely from the Creature’s perspective throughout filming.
Between hearing about the project and talking to Guillermo, from that point to the end of the thing, I’d filled this, like, tome, I suppose, this kind of giant diary, which was completely from the perspective of the Creature,
he recalled.
And when I saw the end result, it felt like it had come out of a fugue state. So I had this kind of giant bible that was his, I guess, the whole time I was shooting, and I filled the last page on the last day of shooting.
Influences Behind Elordi’s Performance as the Creature
Elordi also shared insights into the inspirations behind his acting choices for the film. Together with Guillermo del Toro, Elordi studied silent-era films to capture the subtle yet powerful expressions those performances conveyed. He emphasized the expressive economy found in silent movies, aiming to reflect that in his portrayal.
Guillermo and I watched a lot of silent movies, ’cause they have a real subtlety to the largeness of their expression that sort of acutely conveys the exact point,
Elordi said.
It can seem melodramatic, but when you watch them, when you really analyze them, they’re so succinct and tight, those performances. So there was definitely something in that.
The Broader Significance of These Gum Toss Moments
The gum tossing episodes involving both Elordi and Brody underscore the unpredictable pressures actors face during public appearances and award ceremonies. While Elordi’s gesture was private and tender, passing gum to his mother, Brody’s incident was caught in a moment of high tension on a global stage. These small, relatable moments humanize celebrities, revealing their vulnerabilities to fans and observers.
Looking ahead, Elordi’s Oscar nomination could bring him back to the same spotlight where Brody experienced his viral moment, potentially giving the younger actor another opportunity for a memorable public gesture. With stiff competition from established actors, Elordi’s career trajectory is clearly on the rise, and his recent attention surrounding the gum toss adds an unexpectedly personal layer to his public image.
