Shailene Woodley Opens Up About Bond With Ansel Elgort: 'He'S Like Family'

A Hollywood Friendship Like No Other

Shailene Woodley recently made headlines with her heartfelt remarks about her enduring friendship with Ansel Elgort. In a candid interview with Variety, shared via the outlet’s YouTube page, Woodley, 34, described Elgort as "like family." She went on to say, "I love him so, so deeply," emphasizing the profound connection they've shared over the years.

From On-Screen Siblings to Real-Life Besties

The pair first crossed paths on the set of the dystopian thriller Divergent, released in 2014, where they portrayed siblings Tris and Caleb. Their chemistry was undeniable, and they quickly developed a strong bond, spending time off-set cooking and having deep conversations. Woodley reminisced, "When we were doing the first Divergent movie, we really connected... he would come over to my house, and we would cook and just talk for hours."

The Evolution of an On-Screen Love Story

Their partnership didn’t stop there. The duo reunited later that year for the tear-jerking romance The Fault in Our Stars, where they played star-crossed lovers, Hazel and Gus. Despite initial doubts about their transition from siblings to romantic interests, Woodley admitted that Elgort was "the only person on Earth who could’ve played Gus." She added, "Ansel and I do genuinely love one another," which translated into their characters' tender on-screen connection.

Navigating Awkward Intimate Scenes

But not everything was smooth sailing. Woodley confessed that filming romantic scenes with Elgort had its awkward moments. "Of course, it was awkward when we had to do intimacy scenes together," she shared, laughing about their off-camera camaraderie making those moments feel "weird." Yet, these challenges only strengthened their friendship, allowing them to portray a love story that resonated with audiences worldwide.

A Decade-Long Bond

Since their last collaboration in 2016 on the final installment of the Divergent series, Woodley and Elgort have remained close. In fact, they even enjoyed a getaway to Italy in 2022, proving that their bond extends beyond the glamorous sets of Hollywood. As Woodley put it, their friendship is a rare example of "love explored without intimacy," a testament to their lasting connection in the chaotic world of showbiz.