Idris Elba: ‘I loved singing, dancing... and meowing!’
Idris Elba talks about his ‘naughty’ role in the new blockbuster Cats, tying the knot, and being pals with Prince Harry...
The ever-charming Idris Elba is back on our screens in Cats, the cinema adaptation of the Broadway musical costarring fellow Brits Sir Ian McKellen, Dame Judi Dench and James Corden. It’s a major change of pace for the Luther star, who this year also played a half-android villain in Fast&FuriousPresents: Hobbs&Shaw. And it’s been a momentous year in Idris’ personal life, too – the 47-year-old married his Canadian girlfriend Sabrina Dhowre, 30, in April. Here, he talks about his role as Macavity, why he loves cars, and the highlight of his year…
Tell us about your costume in Cats – that’s a lot of digital fur they added! When I first saw myself, I was like, ‘ Whoa! Is that me?’ We’d seen some of the artwork before, so I kind of knew what it would look like. But we didn’t shoot it with the fur, we were wearing these green suits. It’s amazing what we can do with technology today. Man and cat become one!
What attracted you to playing an overgrown cat, then?
I’d never done a musical drama before, though I’ve spent more than half my life involved in music. But I loved the idea of singing and dancing
– and meowing! I’m playing Macavity. You could say he’s a poor guy, a bit of a naughty cat. I’m excited for people to see this film.
You reinvent yourself in each movie...
I never really want to limit myself to one particular kind of role, whether it’s a big CGI movie or a small, art-house one. What’s important is the challenge. You could say that’s my motto: Always do something different, if you can.
You’ve done some wild things outside acting. Skydiving, kickboxing in your 40s, racing cars…
Ah, well, cars especially are a way of life for me. You know that beautiful feeling when you go to a library? There’s something very reassuring about being forced to be quiet and focus on your thoughts. For me, my car is a space in which I can think, or dream. I’m completely alone in my own, private little world. I decide which music I listen to, how loud to play it and that’s a precious experience for me. I even lived in a car, once...
What on earth led to you being in that situation?
I was living in New York and I’d just broken up with a girlfriend. We had been sharing an apartment and I thought it
was best to just leave. And so, I moved into my van. I had no money, no other options. Still, it [was better] than sharing that apartment. I just had to make sure I found a parking lot that the police wouldn’t see. I’d shower at friends’ places, or in the apartment when my ex wasn’t around. My life was pretty complicated in those days. But things turned around, as they do.
You were a guest at Prince Harry and Meghan’s wedding, weren’t you?
Yes, we’re good friends.
I gave a speech at an Invictus
Games event [Harry’s charity for disabled war veterans] once, and that’s how we met, basically. And then, at some point, he asked me if I wanted to DJ at his wedding. Meghan sent me a playlist… and yeah, I think everyone had a good time on the night!
Will DJing always be your first passion?
I mean, I’ve been DJing all my life. I’m doing another album soon. I collaborated with Cypress Hill on the song you hear during the car chase scene in Hobbs & Shaw. That was the icing on the cake, being in a huge action movie, and getting a song on the soundtrack. Doesn’t get better than that!
What makes you the most happy in life?
In work, creative freedom. Privately, being in harmony with everyone around me. And being sincere. Unhappiness for me is pretending to be something you’re not – or doing things you don’t want to. You might be in the wrong relationship, the wrong job… That’s not a happy life. I’ve been unhappy, but I’m in a good place now. l Cats is in cinemas across the UK from Friday.