British star Idris Elba has recently received a knighthood in the New Year Honours list for “services to young people,” and he is overjoyed that his efforts have been acknowledged.
Recognition for Advocacy
The London-born actor shared with Extra, “I’ve worked, you know, trying to raise as much awareness about what young people are going through, especially in the UK and other parts of the world.” He emphasized, “It’s a real honour to be recognised for that. Not for my acting work, but, you know, for trying to make a difference for young people.”
Despite his impressive career achievements, Elba harbors further ambitions. When asked about retirement, he stated, “You naturally retire … There are things that I’ve done I don’t need to do again and the things I’d like to progress towards; directing is one of them.”
Feeling Uneasy in the Spotlight
The actor has openly admitted to feeling uncomfortable with fame. In an interview with Esquire UK magazine, he remarked, “My public persona is exactly that – it’s a public persona. In my personal life, there are things that I’m not great at. Not successful at. That I don’t have a grasp of in a way I’d like to.”
Elba also expressed his preference for solitude, saying, “If I like being by myself all the time, what happens when I open the door and loads of people come in? That is a challenge, and that is something I am not very good at. I prefer my own company. I function better on my own. I’m more at ease.”
Always Prepared for Challenges
Additionally, he revealed that he is always “catastrophe-ready.” Elba explained that he remains mindful of a “worst-case scenario” during his work. “I’m catastrophe-ready. In the film industry, you always think: worst-case scenario, what would happen if there were an explosion? What would I do? What would happen if this guy walks in and he’s kicking off? I’d have to knock him out.”
He acknowledged that while his thoughts may seem dark, they resonate with others. “Depending on how you decipher what I’m saying, I think there might be readers who will go, ‘Yeah, man. I kind of relate.’”