How Old Was Joey King In Kissing Booth

The Secret Age Behind the Booth

Let's spill the tea on Joey King and her iconic The Kissing Booth saga. You might remember her as the adorable Elle Evans, but how old was Joey King in Kissing Booth? The answer is a delightful mix of teen drama and adult reality, and spoiler alert: she was practically a legal adult pretending to be a very convincing high schooler.

The First Kiss and the Big Birthday

The Kissing Booth dropped on Netflix in May 2018, and Joey was 18 years old at that exact moment. She had just celebrated her birthday in July 1999, making her a legal adult while playing a high school junior. Imagine the awkwardness of being old enough to vote but still having to act like you're stressing over prom.

During the actual filming of the first movie, Joey was either 17 or 18, depending on the exact scene you are looking at. Production wrapped up in early 2017, so she was technically a minor for a chunk of the shoot. It is wild to think that a teenager was playing a teenager, but Hollywood time always blurs the lines.

From Baby Actor to Booth Star

Here is a surprising fact that will blow your mind: Joey King started acting when she was just four years old. Before the kissing booth, she was seen in Ramona and Beezus at the age of ten, and even appeared in The Dark Knight Rises as a young orphan. Talk about a trajectory—from Gotham City to a boozy fair booth.

Her early start meant she had already been in the industry for over a decade before Elle finally stepped into that iconic booth. She was a seasoned professional by the time the massive Netflix franchise began rolling. Can you even absolutely imagine being so experienced at such a young age?

Growing Up on Screen

The sequel, The Kissing Booth 2, hit our screens in 2021, and Joey was 21 years old by then, which was quite a leap. She was filming as a college freshman, which made her actual age almost perfectly match her character's new chapter. Honestly, it was a bit jarring to see a twenty-something playing a freshman, but we all happily suspended our disbelief.

The Kissing Booth 3 arrived later that same year, and Joey was 22 years old. She was playing a senior in college, which felt a bit more realistic for the now-adult actress playing a college senior. It was definitely a surreal experience to watch her age up in real-time while the plot still demanded she stay forever young.

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The Literal Booth

Let's talk about the actual booth itself, because it is hilariously small and completely impractical for a romance. In the movies, it was a cozy little stall at the school fair, but the real set was even more cramped, which made things very difficult. Joey was practically squished in there, and the romantic tension was definitely heightened by the lack of personal space.

Filming those romantic scenes in such a tiny space was no joke, and the crew had to get creative. Multiple takes were required just to get the angles right without anyone falling over. It was a logistical nightmare disguised as a surprisingly sweet teen romance.

The Romance vs Reality

Playing opposite Jacob Elordi added another layer of complexity to the whole complicated situation. Jacob was 24 years old during the first film, playing a very popular high school senior. So there were two legal adults pretending to be teenagers, and honestly, it was a masterclass in acting.

The age gap between the actors and their characters was something fans noticed immediately online. It was widely discussed on social media, with many people finding the romantic dynamic slightly unsettling. Nevertheless, the chemistry between the leads was undeniable and made the entire movie franchise a massive hit.

Joey King is Red-Hot at Netflix's 'Kissing Booth' Screening in LA

The Weight of the Crown

Being a teen queen in a Netflix hit comes with immense pressure and absolutely zero privacy. Joey had to balance her actual life with the relentless demands of a massive Netflix franchise. It is not easy to maintain a normal social life when the entire world is constantly watching your every kiss.

The young actress handled the sudden fame with remarkable grace and an incredible sense of humor. She embraced the role while also setting very healthy boundaries for herself. It takes a lot of strength to navigate this crazy Hollywood at such a formative age.

The Fun Ending

Despite the age gap and the intense filming schedules, Joey King absolutely nailed the iconic role of Elle Evans. Her performance made millions of eager viewers believe in the magic of a school fair kiss. We will never forget the chaotic, sweet, and surprisingly awkward high school world of The Kissing Booth.

So, the next time you binge-watch the trilogy, remember the real age of the talented woman behind the screen. Joey King was barely older than her character, yet she brought the entire beloved franchise to life. Cheers to the teen who grew up right here before our very eyes!