Daniel Kaluuya has turned down a fashion campaign because a brand wanted to team him with white actors who “had not achieved as much” as he has in their careers.
The Get Out actor — who won an Oscar for his role in Jesus and the Black Messiah — also declared he wanted to make sure he was “representing right” with his brand choices.
“I said no to them. I didn’t understand it. If it’s not a [big] yeah, it’s a no,” he told British GQ about refusing offers from the fashion industry. “They wanted to put me against two white actors that hadn’t achieved as much as me. And I was all, ‘I wanna be on my own. Because that’s not gonna look good.’ I’ve done things. I just feel like I have a certain position. It’s not like, ‘Oh, I’m so cool.’ I’m just like, ‘I don’t like that.’ It’s got to be because of what it means because I want to be out there and make sure I’m representing right.”
“No one’s gonna make me feel like that,” he continued. “I thought, Why would I shrink myself? My mum didn’t raise me like that. Why do I shrink myself to make people feel comfortable? I want to do some good, cool [stuff]. I want to help people, and I want to bring jobs. I want everyone to grow artistically. I want to do amazing things. Why would I shrink? Why would I dim?”
Along with his acting, Kaluuya has also been named associate artistic director of The Roundhouse in Camden, London. The first thing he did in his new role was announce the formation of a new youth theater company that would create pathways into the industry for actors of all backgrounds.
“Bro, chest out. Let’s do this,” he said about his plans.
2 Responses
Mr. Kaluuya I’m a 64 years old black American man and retired law enforcement officer I really like your work ethic and watching Get Out was really a good movie I wish I could do what you do sir and act also help others I will always follow what you do as much as I can thank you
Also my nephew looks just like you sir and is aspiring actor and Rapper he’s young and lives in white plains new york just putting it out there Mr. Kaluuya hopefully you are reading this thank you sir.