Idris Elba Complex Simplicity

“I’m not afraid of sh-t”

When
Idris Elba makes that frank declaration, it’s abundantly clear that
he’s not playing around. What’s more, it’s immediately understood that
his statement doesn’t stem from bravado or egotism. In fact, Idris’
words are delivered casually, as if he’s just requested a cup of
English tea or something. This is the complex simplicity that is Idris
Elba.

There’s a lot of distance between Hackney, East London where a young
Idris dreamed about one day becoming an actor, and the drug-infested
streets of Baltimore where he transformed himself into “Stringer Bell”
for one of the most respected dramas of all-time, HBO’s “The Wire.” His
character was ruthless and calculating, but at the same time, possessed
a depth that held viewers captive for the three seasons that he
appeared on the show. That’s just the kind of actor that Idris is,
although he’s just now starting to refer to the calm electricity that
he generates on-screen as art.

“I’ve
only recently started to refer to what I do as art, because as I got
into this game as an actor, I realized my expression was to play other
people and I could do that, I could connect with other stories and
personalities and become that,” he says, his rich baritone laced with
an English accent. “But as I grow, there are other things I’m reaching
out for now. Playing other personalities is not fulfilling for some of
the creating I want to do.”

Those “other things” include expanding into music and songwriting. Not
that he’s going all Joaquin Phoenix or Terrence Howard on us. In fact,
he’s set to star in the upcoming Rainforest Films thriller, Obsessed,
alongside Beyoncé. He’s also taking a creative U-turn, with a recurring
role on NBC’s hit comedy series, “The Office.” Still firmly rooted in
acting, Idris is simply looking for other avenues of expression. Filled
to the brim with creativity that’s longing to stream from his very
pores, he says he believes that everyone should focus on taking their
personal art to higher heights — whatever it may be.

“If your talent isn’t in the creative and it’s more academic, you use
your mind in different ways,” he advises. “So, say you’re a nurse and
you become a doctor, that’s your art; that’s your growth. You’re using
more of your mental [capacity].”

Although at 36, Idris’ sense of self isn’t in jeopardy of falling
victim to Hollywood’s bogus standards, he’s found himself enlisting
certain strategies to maintain a firm grip on his identity and
individuality.

“As you grow people want to see you do certain things, they see your
future, like ‘Oh, he could be dope playing this or playing that,’ ” he
says. “But you also have to be able to see that for yourself. To keep a
handle on that, you have to be able to see it for yourself, and more
importantly, see what you’re not going to do. People may say you’d be
great playing this type of character or doing this type of song, but if
you don’t see it for yourself, don’t do it. That’s how you keep hold of
it. It’s easy for people to start molding you. The most successful
[people] mold themselves.”

So, as he navigates through two notoriously image-diminishing
businesses — music and movies, he hangs on firmly to his art, and the
man that he’s become over the years. He shrugs off any enthusiastic
assertions about him slowly becoming the new Denzel Washington — an
actor who makes women swoon and men want to be him; an actor who can
work comfortably with black directors like Tyler Perry in 2007’s Daddy’s Little Girls then switch and work alongside avant-garde filmmakers like Guy Ritchie in 2008’s RocknRolla. 

“Hearing you say I’m the new top black actor is external to me,” he
says when the claim is tossed out. “I hear it from you, but that’s not
how I see it personally. Am I one of the top actors? I prefer to
consider it as doing what I do, doing what I love. I’m representing the
people …” he pauses, and stops himself. “I’m representing more than
the people. I came from a long, long way away, in terms of my journey
from where I was daydreaming as a kid to where I am now. That makes me
be on top of my game.”

And that responsibility can be a heavy load.

“The responsibility is sometimes overwhelming,” he admits. “But I feel
like if you do right by yourself, you’ll do right by the people who
follow you.”

 And, as he’s grown, his idea of fulfillment has changed. While early
on in his career it was enough to have people recognize him, or even
make a significant amount of money from his art, nowadays, things are
different. His maturity as a man requires it to be.

“It
used to be fulfillment came from success, or monetary success — you get
that paycheck like, ‘Yo, I’m doing it!’ or from somebody recognizing
you like, ‘I saw you in this,’ ” he says. “But as that has changed,
I’ve started to get fulfillment in different ways.”

One of those ways is by recognizing his flaws and owning up to them.

“I have a few weaknesses,” he readily admits. “One of my biggest
weaknesses is procrastination. It’s a combination of straight laziness,
lack of confidence and overprocessing things.”

While he admits that most artists spend a large part of their lives
sitting around, mulling over things forever and ever, he says that’s
not really his issue.

“I can’t blame my procrastination on that,” he says, with a laugh. “That makes for a better product.”

As for his strengths, well, he has no qualms about listing them either.
And therein, lies the most alluring part of his character.

“I’m just not scared,” he declares with a shrug. “Everyday we get to
live is another great day. I’m not afraid of s—. I’m just not afraid
of it. That’s a strength because when you’re not afraid, you’ll go
forth.”

That’s one of the things that he’s intent on teaching his daughter,
fearlessness. He’s also encouraging her to embrace her natural
curiosity. Those are the two things that he says has helped get him
reach his level — and has helped mold him into a well-rounded,
incredibly grounded individual.

“I encourage my daughter to be curious,” he says. “That doesn’t mean
you have to do everything. But just be curious of how s— works, or
how it doesn’t work. Curiosity got me to where I am today.”