Why Do People Love Ansel Elgort?

Ansel Elgort is one of the most popular young actors in Hollywood today. From his breakout role in the hit movie The Fault in Our Stars to blockbusters like Baby Driver and West Side Story, Elgort has developed a passionate fanbase over the years.

But what is it exactly that makes him so beloved by audiences? Here’s an in-depth look at the reasons people can’t get enough of Ansel Elgort.

What Makes Ansel Elgort So Appealing to Fans?

Ansel Elgort has a blend of talent, charisma, and relatability that draws audiences to him. Here are some of the key factors behind his widespread appeal:

Acting Ability

While still early in his career, Ansel Elgort has consistently impressed with his acting chops. He first gained attention for his emotional performance in The Fault in Our Stars, seamlessly transitioning from witty and sarcastic to sensitive and heartbreaking. His natural acting style makes him extremely believable in every role.

Diverse Roles

While many young actors get typecast into certain kinds of parts, Elgort has proven his versatility across many genres. From weepy teen romance films like The Fault in Our Stars, to crime thrillers like Baby Driver, to musicals like West Side Story, he disappears into each character he plays. This keeps audiences constantly interested to see what he’ll do next.

Charisma

Elgort has an inherent magnetism and likeability that shines through on screen. He’s able to establish a connection with audiences through his twinkling eyes, boyish grin, and laidback persona. Even when playing criminals like in Baby Driver, his natural charm makes him hard not to root for.

Personality

Beyond his acting work, fans are drawn to Elgort’s playful, fun-loving public persona. He maintains an active social media presence where he shares goofy videos, behind-the-scenes antics, and offers a glimpse into his everyday life. His enthusiasm is infectious and makes people feel like he’s someone they could be friends with in real life.

Humility

Despite his meteoric rise to fame at a young age, Elgort has maintained a humble, gracious attitude. He frequently expresses gratitude for his success and the opportunities he’s been given. He also candidly speaks about the challenges of dealing with sudden celebrity. This down-to-earth quality makes him relatable and admirable.

Support of Good Causes

Elgort uses his platform to promote various charitable causes he cares about. He’s an outspoken advocate for issues like childhood cancer research and LGBTQ+ rights. His social consciousness and desire to leverage his fame for good further endears him to supporters.

What Life Events Shaped Ansel Elgort?

Ansel Elgort was born in New York City in 1994. His unique path through life prepared him for the world of show business and shaped him into the beloved star he is today.

Artsy Upbringing

Elgort grew up in an artistic family in Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood. His mother is a noted opera director and his father is a renowned fashion photographer. He was surrounded by creativity and the performing arts from an early age which provided the foundation for his future career.

Immersion in Dance

As a child, Elgort trained seriously as a dancer, taking lessons in styles ranging from hip hop to tap. He’s credited this intensive dance background with helping him learn skills like choreography, musicality, and physical expression – all of which prepared him for acting.

High School Performing Arts Education

Elgort attended the prestigious Fiorello H. LaGuardia high school focused on performing arts. This is where he strengthened his acting abilities and decided conclusively that he wanted to pursue the profession. The training and experience he gained there set the stage for his career.

Debut Role in Carrie

While still in high school, Elgort landed his first ever acting role in an Off Broadway production of Carrie the Musical. This initial taste of being on stage cemented his passion for the craft and desire to make it his lifelong career.

Experience with Rejection

Like most aspiring actors, Elgort dealt with his fair share of rejection and failed auditions early on. But he persisted, never losing faith that his big break would come eventually. That determination and self-belief was integral to him achieving success.

Breakout in The Fault in Our Stars

Elgort’s sensitive lead performance in The Fault in Our Stars made him an overnight star. The poignant film resonated with audiences and catapulted him onto the A-list at just 20 years old. This phenomenon served as definitive proof of his talents and star power.

What Are Ansel Elgort’s Greatest Performances So Far?

Though only in his late twenties, Elgort has already given several incredible performances that stand out as the best of his career thus far.

The Fault in Our Stars (2014)

This faithful adaptation of the tearjerking novel launched Elgort to stardom. As cancer patient Augustus Waters, he delivered a heartrending yet charming turn that earned instant admiration from audiences worldwide. His natural chemistry with co-star Shailene Woodley was also praised.

Baby Driver (2017)

Elgort showed his action chops playing getaway driver Baby in this slick heist film from director Edgar Wright. To prepare, he actually learned to stunt drive, replicate choreographed chases, and convincingly portray Baby’s independence and quiet intensity.

West Side Story (2021)

Elgort was hand-picked by Steven Spielberg to play the lead role of Tony in this bold remake of the classic musical. He threw himself into months of extensive dance training to master the tricky choreography. His graceful, emotional performance earned Golden Globe and Screen Actors Guild nominations.

Amsterdam (2022)

This historical comedy featured Elgort as part of an all-star ensemble including Christian Bale, Margot Robbie, and John David Washington. Elgort held his own with witty comedic timing and charm that perfectly balanced the absurd tone. Critics singled out his performance as a highlight of the film.

Tokyo Vice (2022)

Elgort surprised audiences by taking on the role of American journalist Jake Adelstein in this crime drama series. He disappeared into the character by adopting mannerisms like slouched posture and adopting Adelstein’s quiet but tenacious demeanor.

What Makes Ansel Elgort Such a Gifted Dancer?

Dance is one of Elgort’s lifelong passions and he incorporates his skill into both his acting and his creative pursuits outside of performing. His natural dance talent comes from a few specific attributes.

Years of Intensive Training

As mentioned earlier, Elgort has been seriously studying dance since childhood. He put in the hours of rigorous, disciplined practice it takes to build skill as a dancer. This gave him excellent technical proficiency across numerous dance forms.

Athleticism

Dance requires incredible strength, flexibility, coordination and control over one’s body. Elgort has a lean, muscular physique along with quickness and agility that allows him to seamlessly pick up choreography.

Musicality

An innate sense of rhythm and the ability to move in sync to music is key for a great dancer. Elgort seems to instinctively understand beat, tempo, and phrasing, allowing his body to become an instrument that moves to melody and cadence.

Emotional Expression

The best dancers can evoke feeling and emotion through their movement. Elgort successfully conveys moods and ideas with the energy and passion of his execution. His acting background strengthens this ability to turn dance into storytelling.

Fearlessness

Elgort is willing to give every dance sequence his all and take risks with bold, daring choices. He doesn’t hold back out of fear of being imperfect or looking foolish. This abandon and commitment makes his dancing feel organic and thrilling to witness.

What Creative Endeavors Has Ansel Elgort Pursued Outside Acting?

Beyond his thriving acting career, Elgort has cultivated some impressive creative pursuits in the realms of music, photography, and fashion.

Music

Under the name Ansølo, Elgort creates electronic dance music and has released several singles. He also occasionally DJs events and says music provides him an “escape” from acting.

Photography

Taking inspiration from his father Arthur Elgort, acclaimed photographer, Ansel has become an accomplished photographer in his own right, often working on shoots for magazines like Vogue.

Fashion Design

Elgort launched his own fashion label in 2021 called St. Clare Designs, featuring handmade clothing he designs himself. He’s very hands-on with the process of crafting and producing the clothes.

Directing

Elgort has expressed a growing interest in eventually directing and already directed a music video for hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis. This hints at him potentially exploring filmmaking down the road.

Social Media

He engages with fans through his active social media accounts where he shares original content like music, photography, videos, and behind-the-scenes fun. This provides another creative outlet for connecting with supporters.

What Causes and Social Issues Does Ansel Elgort Care About?

Beyond entertaining audiences, Elgort uses his fame as a platform to support various causes close to his heart.

Childhood Cancer

Elgort has been a longtime supporter of charities like Make-A-Wish that help grant wishes for kids facing critical illnesses. He also visits children’s hospitals to raise the spirits of young patients and advocates for increased research funding.

LGBTQ+ Rights

Elgort frequently voices his support for LGBTQ+ rights causes through actions like participating in GLAAD events, featuring gay artists in his music videos, and calling for increased trans representation in media.

Environmental Protection

As someone who loves the outdoors, Elgort often speaks up on behalf of important environmental issues. He partners with groups like Climate Action Campaign and uses his social media to share tips on sustainable living.

Social Justice

Elgort strives to be an ally by amplifying Black voices, attending protests against racial injustice, and asking his fans to donate to related organizations. He also seeks to promote more diversity in the entertainment industry.

Rescue Animal Welfare

An avid animal lover, Elgort volunteers at animal shelters when he can and partners with pet adoption organizations. He uses his online presence to encourage his followers to adopt rescue pets and donate to animal charities.

What Are Ansel Elgort’s Hobbies and Interests Outside Performing?

With his seemingly endless creativity and energy, Elgort has an eclectic mix of hobbies and interests he pursues in his downtime outside of work.

Photography

As mentioned, he has a true passion for photography, especially fashion photography and portraiture. He loves the entire process from doing creative shoots to developing in the darkroom.

Cooking/Food

Elgort enjoys spending time in the kitchen testing out new recipes, baking bread, and making elaborate meals for friends and family. He’s shared photos of some of his culinary creations online.

Pick-up Basketball

To stay active, he plays regular pick-up games of basketball, sometimes inviting fans to join via social media. He has said he finds the fast-paced sport to be a great stress reliever.

Video Games

During his limited free time, Elgort likes to kick back and play video games, particularly fantasy and RPG genres. He’s even professed he’d love to someday do voice acting work for a game.

Road Trips

Elgort has a sense of adventure and occasionally goes on impromptu road trips across America with friends. He documents stops at quirky roadside attractions and eateries along the way.

Reading

According to interviews, Elgort always makes time for reading, even when he has a hectic schedule. Some of his favorite authors include Tom Wolfe, Raymond Chandler, and J.D. Salinger.

What Personal Relationships Are Most Important to Ansel Elgort?

Like anyone, Elgort’s life is enriched by the close bonds he’s formed with family, friends, collaborators over the years.

Parents

He remains extremely close with his mother and photographer father, often gushing about them in interviews. They have been hugely supportive of his pursuits and he’s said their wisdom inspires him.

Longtime Friends

Elgort has friends he’s known since elementary school that are still part of his inner circle today. Keeping these genuine lifelong best friends close is clearly a priority.

Co-Stars

He always speaks glowingly of his co-stars and seems to form real friendships on set. He took a road trip with Baby Driver cast and keeps in touch with West Side Story co-star Rachel Zegler via social media.

Girlfriend

Elgort has been dating ballerina Violetta Komyshan on and off since they were teenagers. Their long-term relationship anchors his life and they often travel together when their busy schedules allow.

How Does Ansel Elgort Handle the Pressures of Fame?

Becoming a globally recognized movie star at just 20 years old no doubt placed immense pressures and scrutiny on Elgort that he’s had to adapt to.

Leaning on his Support System

Elgort is grateful for his tight-knit family and friends who knew him before he was famous and offer a grounding sense of normalcy. He says their support keeps him humble.

Maintaining his Passions

Pursuing his varied creative interests like music, photography, and fashion provide fulfilling outlets separate from acting for dealing with stress.

Taking Time Off

Elgort makes sure to build in extended breaks between projects rather than working non-stop. He disappears on travel adventures during these downtimes to reset mentally.

Staying Grounded

Despite his fame, Elgort remains down-to-earth and doesn’t seem fazed by the glitz of Hollywood and celebrity culture, keeping his childhood friends close.

Focusing on the Work

At the end of the day, Elgort tries to keep his focus on the craft of acting and being as skilled as possible at his chosen profession. The work itself sustains him.

What Does the Future Hold for Ansel Elgort?

At just 28 years of age, Ansel Elgort still has an enormously bright future ahead with so much left to accomplish in his already illustrious career.

Upcoming Acting Projects

Elgort has several highly anticipated films in the pipeline including the action thriller Damascus Cover and a reboot of Oklahoma! with Reese Witherspoon. Without a doubt, he has many memorable roles still to come.

Directing Ambitions

Elgort has mentioned wanting to eventually direct his own feature film once he’s more established as an actor. He clearly has a growing passion for working behind the camera.

Music Career Development

Under his Ansølo pseudonym, Elgort seems invested in keep growing musically, releasing singles and hopefully someday a full album. His sound will likely continue evolving as he experiments in the studio.

Potential EGOT Contender?

Given his talents across acting, music, and dance, Elgort has the potential to become an EGOT (Emmy, Grammy, Oscar, Tony winner) if he adds stage projects to his repertoire. The prospect of this achievement could motivate his choices.

Philanthropy Aims

As his star continues rising, Elgort will likely ramp up his charity endeavors and involvement with causes like childhood cancer research. He seems committed to leveraging his platform for good.

Lifelong Improvement

No matter how successful he becomes, Elgort will certainly continue honing his skills and challenging himself in new creative directions. His innate artistry and work ethic drives this continual self-improvement.

Frequently Asked Questions About Ansel Elgort

Here are answers to some of the most commonly asked questions about the beloved actor.

How tall is Ansel Elgort?

He is 6 feet 4 inches tall (or 1.93 meters) which contributes to his leading man appeal. He was self-conscious about his height when younger but now embraces it.

Is Ansel Elgort on social media?

Yes! He’s on Instagram under @ansel where he has over 8 million followers. He often shares personal photos, behind the scenes videos, and highlights from his various creative projects.

Where was Ansel Elgort born?

Elgort was born in New York City on March 14, 1994. He was raised in Manhattan’s Upper West Side neighborhood and still considers NYC his hometown.

What was Ansel Elgort’s first acting role ever?

In high school, Elgort’s very first role was playing the lead part of Tommy Ross in an Off Broadway production of Carrie the Musical. This early experience cemented his passion for performing.

Is Ansel Elgort a trained dancer?

Yes! He studied dance for many years as a child including styles like hip hop, tap, and ballroom. His dance background has hugely informed his acting career.

Who are Ansel Elgort’s parents?

His father is celebrated fashion photographer Arthur Elgort and his mother Grethe Barrett Holby is an American opera director. He credits both with heavily influencing his artistic development.

Does Ansel Elgort sing his own songs?

Yes! Under the name Ansølo, Elgort writes, performs, and produces electronic dance tracks. He has a record deal with Island/Universal.

Who is Ansel Elgort dating?

Elgort has been in a long term, on-again off-again relationship with ballerina Violetta Komyshan since they were high schoolers. They now often travel together when their schedules allow.

What is Ansel Elgort’s net worth?

His net worth is estimated to be around $12 million, largely amassed from major starring roles in blockbuster films like The Fault in Our Stars, Baby Driver, and West Side Story. That number continues growing steadily.