Jacob Elordi's Red Carpet Gum Incident Ignites Fiery Social Media Debate
The glittering world of Hollywood premieres was rocked this week not by a fashion faux pas or dramatic entrance, but by a simple, intimate act that has polarised fans across the globe. Jacob Elordi, the 28-year-old actor riding high on his first Oscar nomination for Frankenstein, found himself at the centre of a viral storm following the world premiere of his latest film, Wuthering Heights.
A Moment Captured: Gum Handed to Mother on the Carpet
During the star-studded event in Los Angeles, a brief clip captured Elordi discreetly spitting his chewing gum into the hand of his mother, Melissa, as they stood together on the red carpet. The footage shows the actor clasping his hands around her closed fist with a grateful smile, patting her on the back before returning to his press duties. Melissa, portrayed as the consummate professional, accepted the gum without any visible reaction.
This seemingly minor interaction, however, has exploded across social media platforms, sparking a fierce and divided debate about propriety, family bonds, and celebrity behaviour.
The Great Divide: 'Disgusting' Versus 'Endearing'
Reaction to the moment has been sharply split into two opposing camps. A significant portion of online commentators have expressed outright disgust, branding the act as childish and unhygienic.
- Many critics compared it to behaviour expected from toddlers, not a grown man at a formal event.
- Some labelled the gesture as 'abhorrent' and 'degrading', arguing that Melissa was treated like a 'human trash bag'.
- Questions were raised about why Elordi did not simply use a tissue or dispose of the gum himself, especially given his sharp, likely borrowed, Bottega Veneta suit.
Conversely, a vocal group of supporters have celebrated the exchange as a heartwarming display of a close mother-son relationship.
- Fans praised it as a 'real moment' of authenticity amidst the highly staged glamour of a premiere.
- Many mothers chimed in on platforms like Reddit, stating they would have 'no issue' doing the same for their own children, framing it as a simple familial favour.
- Commentators noted that mothers often help their children navigate awkward situations, making the act 'almost endearing' in its normality.
Context and Comparisons: Not Elordi's First Chewing Gum Controversy
This incident does not exist in a vacuum. It follows Elordi's previous headline-making behaviour involving chewing gum. Last year, after winning the Oscar for Best Actor, he was filmed playfully lobbing his gum at his partner, Georgina Chapman. Furthermore, his conduct at the Venice Film Festival in September drew criticism for a terse exchange described as 'super rude'.
The debate also drew comparisons to other viral red carpet moments from recent years, including the steamy arm kiss between Oscar Isaac and Jessica Chastain in 2021 and the unfounded speculation that Harry Styles spat on co-star Chris Pine in 2022.
A Broader Conversation on Celebrity and Perception
Beyond the simple question of gum etiquette, the incident has ignited a broader discussion about how we perceive celebrity actions. The revelation that many viewers initially mistook Melissa for a publicist or assistant added another layer, with a former personal assistant noting in the comments that they've 'had to do worse'.
Ultimately, Jacob Elordi's red carpet moment with his mother has transcended gossip to become a cultural talking point. It forces a question with no easy answer: is it a sweet, genuine snapshot of family support, or a cringe-worthy breach of basic decorum? The court of public opinion remains fiercely, and entertainingly, divided.
