Jacob Elordi Faces Backlash After Driving Despite 2026 Cannes Jury Exit Over Foot Injury
Updated
Updated · The Independent · May 18
Jacob Elordi Faces Backlash After Driving Despite 2026 Cannes Jury Exit Over Foot Injury
6 articles · Updated · The Independent · May 18
Paparazzi photos showing Jacob Elordi driving Timothée Chalamet, Kendall Jenner and Kylie Jenner have triggered criticism of his withdrawal from the 2026 Cannes jury over a broken foot.
Days before the festival opened on May 12, the 28-year-old actor stepped down from Park Chan-wook’s competition jury because jurors must shuttle between screenings, press events and repeated climbs of the Palais stairs.
Online reaction split between skeptics who said driving undercut the injury explanation and defenders who argued a broken foot can still allow driving while Cannes’ stair-heavy setup could worsen the condition.
The debate widened after 74-year-old juror Stellan Skarsgard said at Cannes that he was attending despite lingering mobility issues from a 2022 stroke, underscoring scrutiny of Elordi’s absence.
A gossip blog's unverified photo sparked outrage, but what is the real story behind Jacob Elordi's Cannes exit?
Is driving with a foot injury easier than walking at Cannes, or is there another reason for his withdrawal?