Facially it works, the bone structure, strong nose, hollow-(ish) cheekbones, similar framing of eyes although brown coloured lenses required and thickening of eyelashes. (Editor’s note: In later paparazzi photos from the set, White is seen wearing brown contacts—as requested.) The tousled hair with the leather jacket and the moody shot equals core Bruce.
Any tricks he’s missed?
He’s missing earrings!
What does he need to do to nail Bruce?
The singing…He needs to perfect the Bruce growl and match Bruce’s energy and charisma on stage. Off stage, he needs to catch his natural shyness and niceness. The single-mindedness to be great.
What Bruce look would you like to see Jeremy Allen White wear?
If he can smile like Bruce and look as lean in jeans and a grandad shirt, he will be 90 per cent of the way to nailing him.
What was your first impression of Jeremy Allen White’s Bruce?
JAW looks great in this press shot. What is going to be more important than clothes and hair is ‘attitude,’ and he certainly has that. I can already imagine him brooding and smoldering like Springsteen in his early 30s. Bruce has never gone for small talk—he is intense, serious and focussed. Springsteen, especially in this era, was immersed in making every detail, every word perfect. His lyrics are incisive, potent and also economic. Nothing is wasted.
Any tricks he’s missed?
They have done a great job with this look with JAW: the plaid shirt, the leather jacket both pretty much on point. If I was being super picky…for me, the shirt could be more red and less pink/purple and the jacket, although worn in, needs to be more ‘road worn.’ It’s a little too perfect. Remember, Bruce wasn’t dressing as someone. These were his clothes, he was himself.
You can also see in photographs that Bruce was not really sporting the big sideburns at this point. Otherwise, the hair is similar, although it appears less ‘messy/curly’ and a little blow-dried. It’s a somewhat Hollywood depiction of the real McCoy!
What Bruce look would you like to see Jeremy Allen White wear?
I think they’re heading in the right direction, but I’m a purist, so I would counsel them against anything that over glamorizes, polishes or sanitizes Springsteen’s ultimately raw look. I’m pretty sure Bruce was thinking about the music more than his wardrobe.
