Shailene Woodley Makes Rare Comment About Friendship With Ansel Elgort: ‘Like Family to Me’ Shailene Woodley, 34, shared an emotional reflection on her enduring friendship with Ansel Elgort, 32, in a recent interview with Variety. The actress described Elgort as “one of my best friends” and emphasized that their bond transcends typical friendship, calling him “like family to me.” Woodley’s remarks, shared via Variety’s YouTube page on May 21, highlighted the depth of their connection, which she credits to their shared experiences on set and beyond. Woodley and Elgort first met while filming the 2014 adaptation of Divergent, where they played siblings Tris and Caleb. Their on-set dynamic quickly evolved into a close friendship, with Woodley recalling how they became “sort of instant siblings.” She described their relationship as “very sweet” and supportive, noting that Elgort often visited her home after work, where they would cook and spend hours talking. “We really connected,” she said, underscoring the comfort and trust they developed during the production. The pair reunited for The Fault in Our Stars (2014), where they portrayed love interests Hazel and Gus. Woodley admitted it was initially surprising to see Elgort cast as Gus, given their sibling dynamic in Divergent. “I was like, ‘Oh that’s sweet, but like obviously it’s never gonna happen because he’s my brother in Divergent,’” she joked. However, she praised Elgort’s performance, calling him “the only person on Earth who could’ve played Gus.” She attributed the film’s emotional authenticity to their real-life bond, stating, “Ansel and I do genuinely love one another,” which she believed made their on-screen chemistry feel “unconditionally loving.#shailene_woodley #ansel_elgort #divergent #the_fault_in_our_stars #variety
