The John Travolta Challenge Is Huge for the Hat Guys of the World

John Travolta’s Cannes Film Festival look has seriously activated all the “Big Time Hat Guys” out there.

Folks were not expecting the 72-year-old star to pop-up in France rocking a whimsical little beret. Once the photos hit the timeline, all the chaos began. Normal dudes looking for a beret as soon as this weekend. And, other randomness.

Travolta was there for Propeller One-Way Night Coach. That’s his directorial debut starring Ella Bleu. She’s Travolta’s daughter and is probably used to these kinds of hysterical viral moments to contend with on a yearly basis. 

But, the beloved actor would tell CNN exactly what inspired this beret moment. In an interview, Travolta was taking the whole director thing seriously. Looking at some iconic looks from filmmakers of the past, he landed on the tiny black hat. And, the rest is Internet history now.

“I said, ‘I’m a director this time. You’re an actor, play the part of a director, look like an old-school director,’” Travolta told the outlet. 

“So I looked up pictures from the ’20, ’30s, ’40s, ’50, ’60s, and the old-school directors wore berets, and the glasses, and I thought, ‘That’s what I’m doing,” he added. “I’m doing an homage to being a director, so I’m going to play the part of being a director.’” 

John Travolta’s beret ignites an entire Internet challenge

Make no mistake, people don’t play about John Travolta. When the images dropped, of course folks had some jokes. This is a 70-year-old in a jaunty little beret after all. Elon Musk’s platform is basically wired for the mocking culture that now runs rampant on it.

However, the fans were not trying to hear it. One guy said, “Ok, maybe I’m a weirdo, but I don’t understand all the hating on John Travolta today. He’s 72 years old! He looks better than most of the people who are trashing him tbh.”

Another fan had this to offer, “The #JohnTravoltaChallenge is taking over the world.” Featuring an image of a dude in front of a French flag with a green beret on. Also, a very silly little joke about Ian McKellen getting in on the act.

It was a busy week for the movie star. He got an Honorary Palme d’Or at the Cannes Film Festival. So, a bright week for a beloved star to be sure. One thing is for sure, if you work in a menswear store, and a dude rolls in looking for a little beret within the next two weeks, you know who to thank now!

(featured image: Aurore Marechal/Getty Images for Apple TV)

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