In the glittering world of Hollywood awards season, where red carpets brim with designer gowns, A-list couples, and calculated glamour, Jacob Elordi has chosen something refreshingly genuine: his mom. The 28-year-old Australian actor, riding high on his first-ever Oscar nomination for Best Supporting Actor, revealed during his January 27, 2026, appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live! that his plus-one for the March 15 ceremony will be Melissa Elordi, the woman who believed in him when he was just a dreaming teenager. “I’m going to take mom,” Elordi said with a wide grin, his voice warm with affection. “I promised her when I was 15 that I would take her. So, I have to honor that.”
The moment landed like a heartwarming bombshell in an industry often criticized for superficiality. Here was the brooding star of Euphoria, Saltburn, and now Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein—a man who’s graced magazine covers as a sex symbol and commanded screens as complex, troubled characters—opting for family over flash. It’s a promise made over a decade ago, when Elordi was still navigating high school in Brisbane, Australia, far from the red carpets of Los Angeles. Back then, acting was a distant dream, but his mother saw the spark. As Elordi shared on Kimmel, Melissa was the first person he called—or rather, the first to call him—when the nominations were announced. “She fully believed in me the whole time,” he said, his eyes lighting up. That belief has now culminated in one of Hollywood’s highest honors, and Melissa gets the front-row seat she was promised all those years ago.
Elordi’s nomination comes for his transformative performance as the Creature in del Toro’s Frankenstein, a Netflix film that has been hailed as a visual and emotional masterpiece. Directed by the visionary behind The Shape of Water and Pan’s Labyrinth, the movie reimagines Mary Shelley’s classic with Oscar Isaac as Victor Frankenstein and Elordi as the tormented, stitched-together being who grapples with rejection, rage, and a desperate yearning for connection. Critics have praised Elordi’s physical commitment—hours in makeup prosthetics—and his emotional depth, turning the Creature from a monster into a tragic figure audiences root for. The role earned him a Critics Choice Award for Best Supporting Actor earlier in January, along with BAFTA and SAG nods, positioning him as a frontrunner in a stacked category featuring Delroy Lindo, Benicio del Toro, Sean Penn, and Stellan Skarsgård.
Winning the Critics Choice was “bloody hell” surreal for Elordi, but the Oscar nod felt like destiny. In interviews, he’s spoken about how Heath Ledger’s Joker performance inspired him as a young actor, proving that Aussies could conquer Hollywood’s biggest stages. “It really was a dream of mine, particularly because of Heath Ledger,” Elordi reflected in one post-nomination chat. “He showed me that it was possible.” Ledger’s tragic passing 18 years to the day before Elordi’s nomination added a poignant layer, turning the achievement into a tribute to those who paved the way.
But amid the accolades, Elordi’s focus remains grounded. His family—parents John and Melissa, and sisters Jalynn and Jalynn—has been his anchor. Growing up in a middle-class household, Elordi wasn’t born into showbiz privilege. His father, a house painter, urged him to have a backup plan, a practical reminder amid teenage ambitions. Yet Melissa championed his passion, driving him to auditions and encouraging his move to Los Angeles at 18. “Mom was the one who always said, ‘You can do this,'” Elordi has said in past profiles. Now, at 28, he’s fulfilling that teenage vow in the most spectacular way: escorting her to the Dolby Theatre on March 15, where Conan O’Brien will host the 98th Academy Awards.
The Jimmy Kimmel Live! appearance itself was a delight. Elordi arrived with his golden retriever Layla in tow, instantly boosting his “cool factor” as fans noted. He bantered with Kimmel about past guest-host kisses (Julie Bowen once planted one on him), reciprocating with a playful peck on Jimmy’s cheek to “make it fair.” The conversation flowed to his career highs: from The Kissing Booth—a Netflix rom-com trilogy he called “sh-t” in candid moments—to prestige turns in Saltburn and Frankenstein. Promoting his upcoming Wuthering Heights with Margot Robbie (opening February 13), Elordi reflected on shifting from monster to heartthrob. “Going from playing a monster to playing a heartthrob—it’s all the same, really,” he joked. “Just different makeup.”
The Oscars promise adds a deeply personal layer. Melissa Elordi, often described as warm and supportive, has stayed out of the spotlight, letting her son’s star rise on its own. Yet her influence is evident. In a world where celebrity children sometimes distance themselves from family for “cool” points, Elordi’s choice stands out. It’s reminiscent of other heartwarming Oscars moments: Leonardo DiCaprio bringing his mom, or Timothée Chalamet honoring his parents. But Elordi’s story feels especially sweet—a direct callback to a 15-year-old boy’s bold declaration: “One day, I’ll take you to the Oscars.”
As March 15 approaches, anticipation builds. Will Elordi win? The category is fierce, but his momentum—from festival wins to Critics Choice glory—suggests he’s a strong contender. Win or lose, the night will be unforgettable for the Elordi family. Melissa gets her long-promised evening under the Hollywood lights, walking the red carpet beside her son, perhaps in a gown chosen together, sharing champagne toasts in the Dolby Theatre. For Jacob, it’s more than a date—it’s validation of years of belief, hard work, and that unbreakable mother-son bond.
Social media has melted over the revelation. Fans flooded X with heart emojis: “Jacob taking his mom to the Oscars? Peak boyfriend energy—even for his actual mom!” TikTok edits paired clips of Elordi’s Frankenstein transformation with family photos, soundtracked to sentimental tunes. Reddit threads on r/movies praised the authenticity: “In an industry full of fake, this is real.” Even Conan O’Brien, prepping for his second hosting gig, joked on socials about “welcoming the Elordi mom-son duo—expect double the charm!”
Elordi’s journey from Brisbane teen to Oscar nominee is a classic underdog tale. He arrived in LA with little more than determination and his mother’s encouragement. Early roles in teen fare gave way to daring choices: the toxic Nate in Euphoria, the seductive Oliver in Saltburn, and now the Creature—a role requiring vulnerability beneath layers of prosthetics. Del Toro has called him “extraordinary,” praising his ability to convey pain without words. That depth, combined with his physical presence, has propelled him to this moment.
As awards season peaks, Elordi stays humble. He credits inspirations like Ledger, del Toro’s guidance, and family support. “I love this craft,” he told Kimmel. “I love the movies.” And on March 15, he’ll share that love with the person who believed first: his mom. In a night of glamour and speeches, the sweetest story might be the simplest—one of a promise kept, a family united, and a son saying thank you in the grandest way possible.
The 98th Oscars, hosted by Conan O’Brien, promise spectacle, surprises, and perhaps a tearful acceptance speech. But for Jacob Elordi, the real win is already in hand: honoring the woman who saw his potential when he was just a kid with big dreams. Melissa Elordi won’t just be a plus-one—she’ll be the heart of the evening, proof that behind every star is someone who believed. And in Hollywood’s glittering chaos, that’s the most euphoric date of all.
