I’m sprawled on my couch in my tiny Chicago apartment, the radiator hissing like it’s auditioning for a horror flick, and I’m thinking about Jacob Elordi’s Elvis role. Like, seriously, how do you say no to playing the King of Rock ‘n’ Roll? I mean, I get it—Elvis is this larger-than-life icon, and stepping into those blue suede shoes is like signing up to be judged by every boomer and Gen Z stan on the planet. I’ve been obsessed with Elvis since I was a kid, sneaking my mom’s old vinyls and pretending I was him in front of my bedroom mirror, pelvis-thrusting so bad I knocked over a lamp. Spoiler: I’m no Elvis, and that lamp never recovered.
But Jacob Elordi? That dude almost passed on the Jacob Elordi Elvis role in Sofia Coppola’s Priscilla. I’m sipping on a lukewarm LaCroix—pomegranate, because I’m fancy like that—and I can’t stop wondering what made him hesitate. I mean, I’ve had my own moments of chickening out, like when I was supposed to perform at an open mic and bailed because I was convinced I’d forget the lyrics to “Hound Dog.” Anyway, let’s dive into why Elordi was all “nah” at first and what flipped the switch.
Why Jacob Elordi Hesitated on the Elvis Role
Okay, so Jacob Elordi’s Elvis role wasn’t an instant “hell yeah” for him. Word is, he was worried about being typecast as just another pretty face doing an Elvis impersonation. I totally get that—nobody wants to be a Vegas lounge act knockoff. I once tried to “be” Elvis for a Halloween party in college, complete with a cheap jumpsuit from Party City. Let’s just say the sideburns looked like they were glued on by a toddler, and I spent the night dodging “Viva Las Vegas” jokes. Elordi’s a legit actor, right? He’s got Euphoria cred, and he didn’t want to be stuck in a rhinestone rut. Plus, the pressure of playing Elvis in a film focused on Priscilla’s perspective, not just the King’s swagger, probably felt like a tightrope walk.
According to a Yahoo interview from the New York Film Festival, Elordi wanted to dig into the human Elvis, not the myth. He was all about finding the guy behind the sequins, which, honestly, I respect. I tried to do that once with an Elvis biography I got from a used bookstore in Wicker Park—thought I’d uncover some deep truth about the King. Ended up distracted by stories about his peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Those things are weirdly good, by the way.
What Changed Elordi’s Mind About Playing Elvis
So, what got Jacob Elordi to say yes to the Elvis role? From what I’ve pieced together, Sofia Coppola’s vision was a big part of it. She wasn’t making another glitzy Elvis biopic like Baz Luhrmann’s—hers was intimate, raw, and focused on Priscilla’s story. Elordi said in that same Yahoo piece that wearing real jewelry from the Elvis estate, like the ID bracelet and horseshoe ring, helped him feel connected to the man, not the legend. I’m jealous—I once tried on a replica Elvis ring at a Graceland gift shop, and it was so heavy I felt like I was lifting weights. Made me wonder how Elvis danced with all that bling.
I think Elordi also vibed with Coppola’s low-key approach. Priscilla was shot in just 30 days in Toronto, which sounds chaotic, but maybe that raw energy helped him say, “Screw it, I’m in.” I had a similar moment last week when I signed up for a local theater improv class on a whim. I was terrified I’d bomb, but the instructor’s chill vibe made me think, “Okay, I can do this.” Spoiler: I still bombed, but it was fun. Elordi probably felt that same cautious optimism, like, “Maybe I won’t crash and burn as Elvis.”
The Real Elvis vs. the Myth in Jacob Elordi’s Elvis Role
Here’s where it gets juicy: Elordi didn’t want to do a cartoon Elvis. He was all about the normal dude who loved his mom, ate weird sandwiches, and wasn’t always belting “Jailhouse Rock.” I relate to that so hard. I tried to channel “normal Elvis” once by cooking his favorite meatloaf recipe from a fan site. Burned it so bad my smoke alarm went off, and my roommate still hasn’t let me live it down. But Elordi’s approach worked—he made Elvis feel like someone you could grab a burger with, not just a sparkly god. That’s why his Jacob Elordi Elvis role in Priscilla hits different. It’s not about the pelvis; it’s about the heart.
Tips for Embracing Your Own “Jacob Elordi Elvis Role” Moments
Look, we’ve all got our own “Elvis role” moments—those times we’re scared to take on something big because it feels too iconic or risky. Here’s what I’ve learned from my own flops and Elordi’s journey:
- Own the fear, but do it anyway. Elordi was nervous about the Jacob Elordi Elvis role, but he leaned into it. I chickened out on that open mic, but I’m signing up again next month. Baby steps, y’all.
- Find the human side. Whether it’s a job, a hobby, or karaoke night, focus on what makes it real for you. For Elordi, it was Elvis’s quieter moments. For me, it’s singing “Love Me Tender” in my car without worrying who’s watching.
- Lean on the vibe. Coppola’s chill directing style helped Elordi. Surround yourself with people who make you feel like you can take risks. My improv teacher’s “no judgment” rule is why I keep going back.
Wrapping Up This Elvis Obsession Like a Messy Burrito
So, yeah, Jacob Elordi’s Elvis role almost didn’t happen, but thank God it did. I’m sitting here, crumbs from my attempt at an Elvis-inspired sandwich on my shirt, and I’m just in awe of how Elordi made the King feel like a real dude. It’s inspiring, honestly, even if I’m still mad at myself for that meatloaf disaster. If Elordi can take on Elvis and make it his own, maybe I can tackle my next big scary thing too.
