Actor Jacob Elordi withdrew from the Cannes Film Festival earlier this month, citing a broken foot requiring recovery. Yet recent photographs show him driving through Los Angeles and walking on Hawaiian beaches without visible orthopedic support, prompting public speculation that the injury may have been a pretext to skip the prestigious event.

The injury that vanished between Cannes and the paparazzi

According to the source report, Elordi's official reason for missing Cannes was a debilitating broken foot. However, as the report notes, recent images contradict this narrative: the actor appears in the driver's seat during Los Angeles outings and walks freely on Hawaiian shores with no orthopedic boot or cast visible. This discrepancy has sparked public debate over whether the injury was genuine or a convenient cover for a different choice.

The timing is notable. Elordi has built momentum in recent years with roles in Euphoria, Wuthering Heights, and Frankenstein—the latter earning him a Best Supporting Actor nomination. Cannes, while prestigious, has been subject to industry chatter about declining cultural cachet. Some insiders, as the source indicates, suggest the festival no longer holds the historic weight it once commanded, making it an easier event to abandon.

Kendall Jenner connection raises "Kardashian curse" whispers

Elordi's high-profile romance with Kendall Jenner—marked by double dates with Kylie Jenner and Timothée Chalamet, and intimate moments in Hawaii—has coincided with the injury claim and Cannes withdrawal. According to the source, industry observers have begun invoking what some call the "Kardashian curse," a persistent belief that close association with the reality television sphere can damage a serious actor's credibility and career trajectory.

The source cites unnamed industry insiders who worry that Elordi's entanglement with the Jenner family could overshadow his artistic achievements. Notably, the report suggests that Timothée Chalamet's recennt lack of Oscar success may be partially attributed to his relationship with Kylie Jenner—though this claim remains speculative and unverified. Elordi's current string of film and television successes may insulate him from immediate professional damage, but as the source warns, this "grace period" is temporary and contingent on future projects meeting expectations.

A slow-burn romance with industry matchmaking

The relationship between Elordi and Kendall Jenner is not a sudden pairing. According to the source, the two have been friendly for years, with Elordi attending Kendall's birthday celebrations as far back as 2022. They were observed in conversation at the Vanity Fair Oscar party in March, shortly after Elordi's Best Supporting Actor loss for Frankenstein. The source reports that their romance reportedly accelerated at Justin Bieber's post-show party at Coachella last month, where they were seen in an affectionate embrace.

Kylie Jenner may have played matchmaker, according to the source. The pairing fits a broader pattern: Kendall is following her sister's precedent of dating established film actors, while Elordi joins a roster of high-profile exes that includes model Kaia Gerber and influencer Olivia Jade Giannulli.

What remains unconfirmed about the injury and the timing

The source provides no statement from Elordi, his representatives, or medical professionals confirming the nature or severity of the alleged foot injury. No explanation is offered for why he would attend public outings—driving and walking—if the injury were truly debilitating enough to warrant missing a major film festival. Additionally, the source does not clarify whether Elordi had committed to attending Cannes before the injury claim emerged, or whether the withdrawal was announced after the relationship with Kendall became public. The causal relationship between the romance, the injury claim, and the Cannes absence remains speculative.