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Nicholas Hoult has described himself as “a normal bloke.” In fact, perhaps that’s part of his appeal. The stylish English actor has charmed the world with his dapper looks and an intense curiosity about life since his breakthrough when he was just 8 years old: starring with Hugh Grant in the 2002 film About a Boy.
With strong family roots in the arts—his mother is a piano teacher, and his great-aunt was a renowned actress in her own right—Hoult has never shied away from taking chances. “I’ve always been prepared to take on opportunities when they arise,” he says. “Life’s a combination of being in the right place at the right time—and seizing the moment. I’ve been very fortunate to be able to create and explore.”
Those explorations have led to accolades including multiple acting awards. And next up, he’ll be playing one of the greatest criminals in fiction, Lex Luthor, in Superman—a bad-guy role he’s excited to take on. “One of the brilliant things about being an actor is that you get to explore all different facets of human nature, the positive and negative,” he says. “Inhabiting all these aspects brings empathy and understanding of the world and ourselves.”
As an ambassador for top luxury brands like watch Maison Jaeger-LeCoultre, the heartthrob brings classic, polished chic to play, making a sophisticated statement wherever he treads—whether that’s on the red carpet or at home with his kids. He likes to emulate what he calls the “understated timelessness” of Hollywood’s classic male stars. “There’s a marvelous quality about their looks,” he muses.
That enduring aspect is one of the things he admires most about Jaeger-LeCoultre as well: “As a brand, they have the ability to keep forging forward in terms of their creations, while also looking back.” He’s awed, too, by the process of watchmaking, which he sees as a metaphor he can apply to both fashion and life: “The attention to detail—how all the tiny pieces of the mechanism and the cogs work and combine to make a beautiful whole!” he marvels. “That’s been so instructive for me.”
We spoke to Hoult about what he’s learned about style and life, and how the two intertwine:
“A watch tells time, but it’s so much more. In the larger sense, it keeps you mindful of each minute. Wearing Jaeger-LeCoultre not only represents my style, but it reminds me to live each moment, to be aware of the journey. I feel like my watch tells my story without words. It’s a record of the paths I’ve taken and the people I’ve met.”
“I have a very competitive nature. But I don’t think that has to be viewed negatively. It’s more about how you compete, harnessing the trait’s positive aspects. It’s not about being competitive with others; the key is to be competitive with myself, wanting to do the best I can.”
“I think artistry is far more important than fame. Of course, they coexist, particularly in my industry, where your creations and creativity get recognized, thereby leading to fame. But it’s important to not let fame be a hindrance. Be true to yourself. Create what you love.”
“Something I come back to often is something very simple but profound that a colleague once told me when we were filming. We were sitting in a truck and she said, ‘The key to all is to love and be loved.’ This is so simple in many ways, but it has stuck with me. It’s difficult for us, of course, to fully embrace. But we must try to live by that every day. It’s something I come back to a lot.”
“As a father, I am learning to try and give space for my kids to grow independently. It’s important for them to learn to challenge themselves and overcome things. As parents, we need to enhance their self-esteem. Again, I go back to those simple words: love and be loved.”
“Our judgments can be easily clouded by our emotions. It’s difficult for any of us to be completely perceptive of everything without bringing our opinions to play. I’ve been working on being able to be objective and open. I think this is more important than ever, considering the times we are living in.”
“I’ve been getting better at purely listening and hearing exactly what people are saying—as opposed to interpreting what they are saying. Just be quiet. Just listen.”
“Creativity matters, because we’re all creative beings. I was just listening to an audiobook that I found very inspiring—the author looks at being creative not only in terms of people that actively create, painters or singers, for example. He makes the point that creativity is in our nature. He describes us as vessels for creativity to pass through. That’s something I had not recognized before—but it absolutely resonates. I try to open myself up to ideas and creativity so that I can be a vessel for them.”
“Personal style evolves, particularly when you’re an actor. It changes as you do. Your character’s style informs how you move and affects how you portray each role—and sometimes that becomes part of you, too.”
“Besides acting, I’m passionate about motor racing. I’ve felt that way since I was a kid. Recently I’ve had the chance to get behind the wheel and build my driving skills.”
“I like to be cozy. On the plane today I wore a T-shirt, trousers (which was nice for everyone!), and a kind of knitted polo sweater.”
“I enjoy wearing suits, because I don’t get to wear them very often in real life. I don’t think they will ever go out of style. Good tailoring, of course, is the key.”
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