Jacob Elordi in “On Swift Horses”
Actor Jacob Elordi’s public statements and career choices reflect a strong commitment to challenging homophobia and toxic masculinity.
His views are deeply rooted in his personal experience facing discrimination early in his career and his subsequent decisions to champion queer narratives on screen.
Elordi, known for his roles in Euphoria and Saltburn, has openly discussed the homophobic bullying he endured in school after he started acting at age 12, despite also being a star rugby player.
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Challenging Gender Labels: In a 2022 interview with GQ, Elordi revealed he was often called “gay” for pursuing theater. His response was not to hide, but to lean into the very traits his bullies targeted. He recalled playing the gender-bending role of Oberon, King of the Fairies, and deciding, “If I’m going to be the King of the Fairies, I’m going to be the f***ing hottest King of the Fairies you’ve ever seen.”
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Rejecting Stereotypes: He actively rejected the idea that artistic prowess or emotional range was inherently unmasculine, stating his confusion over efforts to label activities or skills based on sexuality. This attitude solidified his anti-homophobia stance, transforming the bullying into motivation to embrace his own multifaceted identity.
Elordi has used his celebrity to take on high-profile roles that directly explore queer themes and the devastation caused by internalized homophobia:
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Euphoria: As Nate Jacobs, Elordi portrays the epitome of toxic masculinity. His character’s violence and rage are heavily tied to his repressed sexuality and the abusive environment created by his closeted father. Elordi’s work in the series underscores the destructive impact of societal and familial homophobia.
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On Swift Horses: In this critically acclaimed romantic drama, which was released in April 2025, Elordi stars as Julius, a troubled man who discovers and struggles to embrace a secret gay relationship in the restrictive post-Korean War era. His commitment to this role lends his considerable star power to a period piece that explicitly validates queer love and identity.
In essence, Jacob Elordi’s support for gay rights is primarily demonstrated by his vocal opposition to prejudice, his embrace of femininity in his own life, and his choice to prioritize projects that authentically portray the complexity of the LGBTQ+ experience.
