41-year-old actor Idris Elba is getting his due. And our fave British import is talking about what got him there and his work ethic as a professional and a dad (to both daughter Isan and baby boy Winston). From working the door as a bouncer at nightclubs...to this.
On his DJ, rapper, actor multiple personalities: "All these things I do come from the same place. When I'm rapping, it's kind of like this character that I put on. It's a character who can write songs and lyrics really easily, so therefore I can stand up and do it too. Acting is definitely jumping into someone's personality."
On his extremely hectic and "random" life as a global star...and a dad: "I flew in yesterday from Ghana to do a one-day shoot here [in L.A.]...Twenty-four hours ago, I was in Africa doing something very different, and 24 hours from now, I'll be back home in London with my family in a completely different environment. And next week, I'm gonna be in front of a bunch of people playing music in Ibiza."
"It's very, very random, but part of me is used to it," he says. "It's become my life's pattern. And I think I've always been this way—this variedness is a part of my personality. I'm not schizophrenic or anything, but literally one day to the next, I can become very different people."
On reinventing himself: “I’ve been that guy for a while, where people recognize me but they’re not sure why. I’d done a lot of popcorn films, but the reinvention came when I decided to do more of the character-driven stuff that won’t be seen by as many people. But it makes people start to realize, ‘Wait a second, this guy is that guy.’”
On being a selective actor: “It’s hard not to sound disgruntled sometimes as an actor.” [..] “Look, I know that I work a lot, but I’d prefer to wait sometimes because I don’t want to just do rubbish films anymore or characters that anyone can play.”
Check out more of Idris Elba article in Details Magazine
The cast of Get On Up is taking over the coveted September issue of EBONY magazine. And our sexy new crush Chadwick Boseman even landed his own solo cover. Check out the double cover madness with vintage Hollywood flair inside...
One of the hottest casts of Summer 2014 is gracing EBONY's September issue double covers. Chadwick Boseman, Tika Sumpter and Nelsan Ellis are channeling old Hollywood...and we love it.
Chadwick is getting plenty of praise for his portrayal of James Brown in the flick (which debuted at #2 at the box office), and his supporting cast isn't too shabby either.
The sexy powerhouse-in-the-making actress Tika Sumpter (known best for her sultry character in Tyler Perry’s "The Haves and Have Nots"), plays a noticeable short role in the film, and it was worth it. She tells Ebony:
“I wouldn’t take this time back at all. The talent here elevated my own and has done nothing but push me forward. For me, it’s not always just about the work; it’s also about the connection.”
By the way, the YBF chick is currently starring and producing in her own untitled project. She revealed:
“Nowadays, you simply can’t wait for someone to give it to you. You have to create opportunities for yourself when nobody else will.”
He's got his own solo cover moment. He dished to EBONY about landing one of the biggest roles in his career so far. He was hesitant to even attempt to portray the legend, but he came around. Oh, and he beat out 20 other actors for the role:
“When my manager brought me the script, I didn’t even want to read it because I knew attempting to play James Brown would just be crazy...He was a complicated man, both good and bad. Once you understand the reasons for his dichotomy, it’s easier to grasp who he was.”
And "True Blood" star Nelsan Ellis credits Boseman for being a “working machine” and wanting to keep up at his level.
“I thought, ‘If I’m going to act opposite [Chad], I’ll need to prove myself worthy. You’ll see some of the best acting I’ve ever done on this last season of True Blood, and I owe that to Chad. I don’t know what people’s reactions will be, but I do want them to see a different side of my acting in this film.”
The September Issue of EBONY hits newsstands August 12.
