At 25 years old, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve got it all figured out. A symptom of the naivety of youth, carelessness is a trait best reserved for the dreamers, but looking at Jacob Elordi, flowing blue Louis Vuitton shirt draped across his sprawling 6′ 5″ canvas and TAG Heuer on his wrist, you can’t help but think he’s doing something right.
“I’ve always been inspired by people who stood outside of the mould: these guys that made movies their own way and believed in them with all the bones in their bodies,” he tells me. “My hope is that it (my work) alludes to something like that, because that’s kind of all I’ve ever wanted – to do it my way.”
Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs in ‘Euphoria’ | Image: HBO
To say the larger-than-life actor stands out in a crowd would be an understatement. For years, the Brisbane-raised Elordi has cast an imposing shadow over the global film and television industry, courtesy of a breakthrough role in Netflix’s The Kissing Booth franchise, but that was just the beginning. The hero turned heel seemingly overnight when Elordi took on the role of toxic tyrant Nate Jacobs on the HBO blockbuster Euphoria.
His performance as the conflicted kid masquerading as a brooding bully garnered him international acclaim, helping to steer Euphoria to a ratings record. Sam Levinson’s high-school drama detailed the sycophantic subcultures that control the hallways and classrooms of middle America in a manner that could only be described as disturbingly enthralling.
Jacob Elordi as Nate Jacobs in ‘Euphoria’ | Image: HBO
When season two of the series premiered in 2022, more than 14 million viewers tuned in, shattering expectations and turning the misfit cast of characters into global stars in an instant. And at its very centre stood a tall, Aussie boy that audiences love to hate. For all his cruelty, malice and pain, Nate Jacobs was, in a word, unmissable.
“There’s this strange thing about living your dreams. Every day is a little bit surreal.”
“My goal always has been to be in the theatre, so I think that’s something that my effort and time is spent on. And I don’t know what it is, but I started acting in the theatre when I was little, and I’d love to get back there, no matter what it is.
Jacob Elordi at the launch of TAG Heuer’s Adelaide boutique | Image: TAG Heuer
The New Steve McQueen
We catch up with the hulking Aussie star at an interesting time. In between seasons of Euphoria and right before a string of films hit the big screen, Elordi is back in Australia to help kick-start a new era. As the global ambassador for luxury watchmaker TAG Heuer, Elordi played host to Adelaide’s finest, opening the city’s first TAG Heuer Boutique at Adelaide Central Plaza on Rundle Mall.
In the lead-up to the official launch on March 2, the streets of the iconic strip mall were littered with watch fans and Elordi devotees, each clambering to get a glimpse of the actor in the flesh. For those unlucky enough to miss the spectacle, however, there was a consolation prize.
“It’s a little creepy because my face is all over it,” he laughs. “But no, it’s quite classy. It’s a gorgeous store.”
Jacob Elordi at the launch of TAG Heuer’s Adelaide boutique | Image: TAG Heuer
For any celebrity revered for effortless style, attaching your name and likeness to a boutique can be a tricky situation. Thankfully, the luxury boutique was developed and designed by TAG Heuer’s in-house architectural team in Switzerland. Much like Elordi’s style, the boutique features a slick modern aesthetic highlighted by a few vintage touches that hark back to the Golden Age of Hollywood and one Steve McQueen.
The iconic actor is perhaps TAG Heuer’s best-known ambassador, having served as the spiritual figurehead of the La Chaux-de-Fonds brand since the early 1960s. In fact, the very Heuer Monaco timepiece that McQueen wore during the filming of Le Mans in 1971 has become a grail in its own right. Now, the mantle has been passed to Elordi, but despite being the proverbial future of the brand, he isn’t ignoring the past.
TAG Heuer Monaco ‘Dark Lord’ ref.CBL2180.FC6497 | Image: TAG Heuer
“Right now as I speak to you, I’m wearing the Dark Lord, which is the new Monaco that they brought out,” he tells me. The Monaco is probably my favourite TAG Heuer watch, and I’ve said this a million times before, but there are pictures of (Stanley) Kubrick wearing it, and then you’ve got Steve McQueen wearing it. It’s a classic. Even, my dad’s wearing it.”
The unique timepiece that Elordi speaks of was first worn by Steve McQueen in 1969 and features an instantly recognisable square case design. Sharp by nature and arriving with a bevelled crystal of virtually unscratchable sapphire, the Monaco is a watch intended to go the distance, and that’s exactly what Elordi has in mind.
Jacob Elordi at the launch of TAG Heuer’s Adelaide boutique | Image: TAG Heuer
Becoming the King
As if following in the footsteps of the King of Cool himself isn’t enough, Elordi has set his sights on becoming royalty of a different kind. Earlier this year, it was revealed that the Aussie actor would be taking on the role of Elvis Presley, in Sofia Coppola’s much-anticipated biopic Priscilla.
Based on Priscilla Presley’s 1985 memoir, Elvis and Me, the film is set to chart her life with Elvis, from a chance encounter in Germany when she was just 14 years old to her long and storied love affair with the historic hitmaker.
As far as icons go, few could hold a candle to Elvis. Needless to say, the pressure to deliver an outstanding performance is glaring. However, when asked, as if channelling the King himself, Elordi’s response couldn’t be more cool.
“It was the time of my life, really. It was just perfect,” he tells me. “It was everything that you could imagine and more. It was probably close to being in one of the best sets I’ve been on in my life, and I’ll forever be proud of that film and that moment in time.”
Jacob Elordi at the launch of TAG Heuer’s Adelaide boutique | Image: TAG Heuer
Say what you will about the next generation of stars, but at 25 years old and already a bonafide box-office pull, Jacob Elordi has the world in the palm of his hand and a stunning timepiece on his wrist. The TAG Heuer global ambassador is following in the footsteps of the great Steve McQueen by day and takes on the role of Elvis Presley by night. If that isn’t an indication he’s figured something out, I don’t know what is. Guess it is good to be king.
The new TAG Heuer Adelaide Boutique officially launched at Adelaide Central Plaza on Rundle Mall, Thursday 2 March 2023. The stunning showroom is open seven days a week and helps expand TAG Heuer’s retail network in Australia to seven luxury boutiques.
TAG Heuer Adelaide boutique | Image: TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Adelaide boutique | Image: TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Adelaide boutique | Image: TAG Heuer
TAG Heuer Adelaide boutique | Image: TAG Heuer
