Watching the provocative film Saltburn alongside Jacob Elordi and his parents proved to be as profoundly awkward as one might imagine, according to the actor's former high school teacher. Alison Kilgour, Head of Arts at St Joseph's Nudgee College in Brisbane, has provided a unique insight into the surreal experience of viewing the notorious bathtub scene with the very family of the rising star.
From Classroom to Cinema: A Teacher's Perspective
Alison Kilgour taught Jacob Elordi during his final two years of secondary education and has maintained a close connection with his family ever since. She described watching the 28-year-old Australian actor's career trajectory as "a bit surreal," expressing immense pride in his achievements. "I've been watching and reading, and I am so proud of him," she revealed. "What astounds me the most is he walked out of our gates 10 years ago last year and to get to where he has just blows my mind."
The Unforgettable Saltburn Screening
The teacher, who is also a close friend of Jacob's mother Melissa, recounted the particularly memorable cinema outing to watch Emerald Fennell's black comedy. The film gained significant notoriety for a scene where Barry Keoghan's character consumes bathwater after Jacob's character finishes bathing. "That was pretty funny as I went with the family and he was here and was sitting behind me," Alison recalled. "There was this laughter that happened and it took me right back to the classroom when I was teaching him."
She explained that everyone present did their best to contain their amusement during the awkward moments, creating a memorable bonding experience that connected past and present.
A Decade of Remarkable Achievement
Jacob Elordi's journey from Brisbane teenager to internationally recognised actor represents an extraordinary decade of professional development. After moving to Los Angeles at just 19 years old, he first gained prominence through Netflix's The Kissing Booth films in 2018. His career accelerated with roles in HBO's dark teen drama Euphoria and major cinematic productions including Elvis, Saltburn, and most recently Frankenstein.
His performance in Frankenstein earned him nominations for both an Academy Award and a BAFTA in the best supporting actor category earlier this year, marking a significant milestone in his already impressive career.
Maintaining School Connections
Despite his global success and demanding schedule, Jacob has maintained strong ties with his educational roots. Alison revealed that the actor returned to St Joseph's Nudgee College in 2021 to conduct drama workshops with current students. "He was beautiful and would come and work with these boys who idolised him," she shared. "It was so lovely to see him share his passion with this group of boys who were hanging onto every word he said, and he had so much time for that."
Early Signs of Stardom
Reflecting on Jacob's school days, Alison identified clear indicators of his future success. "I don't think anything was ever going to stop him, to be honest, because he just had this undying passion to perform," she observed. "The minute he walked into the classroom, you could see a passion to perform. No matter what you put in front of him, he tackled it and persisted."
She particularly remembered his disciplined approach: "Jacob kept taking it to the next level. One thing I remember was that he always had a journal and he would whip that out and a little pencil and make notes. I always felt he was beyond his years."
Family Support and Grounding Influence
Throughout his rise to fame, Jacob has consistently emphasised the importance of his close-knit family, including parents John and Melissa and three older sisters. Alison confirmed this strong familial bond, noting that "the family relationship is so important to him, and he has the most incredible family around him. That ongoing support, particularly from his parents and sister, has kept him grounded and focused."
This support will be visibly demonstrated at the upcoming Academy Awards ceremony, where Jacob plans to fulfil a childhood promise by taking his mother as his date to the Oscars.
Inspiring Future Generations
Jacob's success has created a tangible impact at his former school, with current students frequently asking their teacher about his journey. "The boys ask lots of questions like 'how did Jacob do this, Miss?' or 'how did he do that?'" Alison explained. She believes his career demonstrates that "no matter what your dying passion is, if you are that committed and dedicated, and you don't give up, you can achieve what you want to achieve."
As the entertainment industry prepares for the 2026 Oscars ceremony on March 15th, Alison expressed hope that her former student might secure the prestigious award. "Oh, I really hope he does. It would be amazing," she said, while emphasising that the nomination itself represents an extraordinary accomplishment for someone of his age.
Meanwhile, audiences can currently stream Frankenstein on Netflix, while Jacob's upcoming project Wuthering Heights, co-starring fellow Queenslander Margot Robbie, is scheduled for UK cinema release on February 11th.
