Barry Keoghan confirmed that he was “really flirting” with ‘Saltburn’ co-star Jacob Elordi after receiving comments that he was “queerbaiting.”
In ‘Saltburn’, Keoghan’s character develops an obsession with Elordi’s character. The most notable scene was when Keoghan slurped up Elordi’s semen-laced bathwater.
Since then, the two stars have cozied up with one another. The two teased at a Los Angeles premiere when they leaned in for a kiss, stopping only before locking lips. Aside from this, the two have also been in each other’s faces, clingy and intimately grabbing one another. The two have never identified themselves as part of the LGBTQ+ community.
As the spotlight captured their moments, some fans have accused them and their actions of “queerbaiting” — a marketing technique used to hint at and not directly portray queer romance and other queer representations, maintaining ambiguity with no “payoff.”
In response to the issue, Keoghan told in an interview with GC that he’s “really flirting” with Elordi.
“We were constantly close… It ain’t just for the cameras and the premiere[s]. Me and Jacob — he’s like a brother to me, honestly. I think when you’re comfortable with someone, you can be as close as you want, you know what I mean?
It’s not like, ‘Oh, don’t come near me’ — it’s like, I’m comfortable. When I’m comfortable around people, I’m comfy.”
Keoghan also admitted that they also kissed while filming ‘Saltburn’, however, the scene did not make the final cut.
