When Jacob Elordi and Joey King met on the set of The Kissing Booth in 2017, neither actor anticipated the massive global obsession their romance would spark. Playing Elle Evans and Noah Flynn in the hit Netflix teen adaptation, their on-screen chemistry quickly spilled into real life, turning them into one of Hollywood's most talked-about young couples.
Their relationship spanned from their initial onset connection to a high-profile romance, followed by intense media scrutiny and an eventual breakup. Understanding their history requires looking past the fan-generated myths to examine how youthful fame, conflicting career trajectories, and relentless public attention shaped their time together.
How Jacob Elordi and Joey King Met
In early 2017, production for The Kissing Booth began in South Africa. Joey King was already an established young actress with credits like Fargo and Ramona and Beezus, while Australian newcomer Jacob Elordi landed his breakout feature film role as the brooding high school jock Noah Flynn.
Working long hours on set forced the cast into close proximity. While initial interactions were purely professional, they quickly bonded over shared downtime, off-camera humor, and mutual respect for each other's work ethic. By the time filming wrapped, friendship had evolved into romance, though they initially kept their relationship quiet to maintain privacy as the film prepared for its Netflix release.
The Whirlwind Romance and Peak Popularity
The Kissing Booth premiered on Netflix in May 2018 and became an instant viral phenomenon. Millions of viewers streamed the movie within its first weeks, propelling Elordi and King into international stardom overnight.
As their popularity surged, the couple stopped hiding their relationship. They shared glimpses of their lives on social media, attended public events together, and gave interviews detailing their mutual admiration. Fans adored seeing an on-screen romance translate seamlessly into real life. During this peak period, they traveled together, posted lighthearted videos, and navigated the sudden shock of massive public attention.
Pressures of Fame and the 2018-2019 Split
Fame in the streaming era brings intense scrutiny, and the young couple soon felt the strain. By late 2018, fans noticed a sharp decline in joint social media posts and public sightings, sparking widespread rumors of a breakup.
Several factors contributed to the tension:
- Career Trajectories: Both actors took on demanding independent projects across different continents, making sustained time together difficult.
- Intense Media Scrutiny: Tabloid reporters and paparazzi tracked their every move, dissecting Instagram likes and comments for hidden meanings.
- The Euphoria Effect: In 2019, Jacob Elordi landed a starring role in HBO's critically acclaimed drama series Euphoria, which elevated his career to a completely different adult-oriented tier and changed his public image overnight.
By late 2018 and into 2019, interviews and social media silence confirmed that the pair had gone their separate ways. Both handled the split with relative grace, though the internet continued to speculate about the reasons behind the separation.
Reuniting for The Kissing Booth Sequels
One of the most unique aspects of the Elordi-King dynamic is that professional obligations required them to work together after breaking up. Netflix greenlit The Kissing Booth 2 and The Kissing Booth 3, which were filmed back-to-back in South Africa in 2019.
This meant both actors had to step back into romantic roles opposite their real-life ex-partner under the watchful eyes of directors, crew members, and millions of eager fans. Both actors spoke candidly in later interviews about the professional discipline required to honor their contracts, deliver emotional performances, and maintain a healthy working relationship despite personal history.
Where Their Careers Stand Today
Years after the final installment of the franchise premiered in 2021, both actors have successfully shed their teen-idol labels to build respected careers in independent and prestige cinema.
Jacob Elordi transitioned into major dramatic roles, starring in films like Saltburn, Priscilla (portraying Elvis Presley), and Paul Schrader's Oh, Canada. He established himself as a sought-after dramatic actor known for complex, character-driven performances.
Joey King expanded her resume with acclaimed dramatic and action projects, earning an Emmy nomination for her harrowing performance in the Hulu true-crime miniseries The Act. She also starred in action blockbusters like Bullet Train and romantic-comedy features such as A Family Affair, proving her versatility across genres.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Jacob Elordi and Joey King date?
They officially began dating in 2017 after meeting on the set of The Kissing Booth and remained together for over a year before splitting up around late 2018.
Did they break up before filming The Kissing Booth 2?
Yes. By the time production began on The Kissing Booth 2 in 2019, they had already ended their romantic relationship, but they returned to fulfill their contractual obligations for both sequels.
Are Jacob Elordi and Joey King still friends?
While they don't actively work together or maintain a public friendship today, both actors have expressed professional respect for one another in retrospective interviews regarding their time filming the Netflix franchise.
Why did Jacob Elordi and Joey King break up?
Neither actor cited a single catalyst, but both have spoken in interviews about how difficult it is to maintain a young relationship under intense public scrutiny, heavy travel schedules, and rapidly changing career demands.
