idris: “My kids are used to me being a bit stupid!”
Luther star and DJ Idris Elba on why fatherhood is his greatest challenge, being in his best shape ever, and how, at 44, his mum still worries about him
is ripped body has earned H him an army of fans, but despite spending a gruelling year training as a boxer for new documentary Idris Elba: Fighter, he says nothing compares to the biggest challenge in his life: being a dad.
Actor Idris says he decided to train as a professional kickboxer to become “the fittest I’ve ever been,” as well as to satisfy a 25-year itch. However, the 6ft 2 star admits it wasn’t easy.
“I was very unfit when I started and had two slipped discs. I don’t have a big ego but I definitely took a beating. Training to be a professional kickboxer is one of the toughest
things I’ve ever done,” explains Idris, 44, who shot to stardom in The Wire and Luther. “But nothing compares to being a dad – being a parent is hard, but it’s a labour of love I suppose. It’s a different sort of toughness.”
ADVENTUROUS
And with his bold move into the world of kickboxing – as well as filming for The Dark Tower, based on Stephen King’s book series, and sequel Thor: Ragnarok, both out later this year – there’s certainly no sense of Idris easing off since becoming a dad. The star has 15-year-old daughter Isan, whose mother is his ex-wife Hanne “Kim” Norgaard, and Winston, two, whose mother is on-off girlfriend Naiyana Garth.
“They’re sort of used to Daddy being a bit stupid in that sense,” he says with a smile. “I encourage my children to be adventurous and to try things so, no, there’s no toning it down.
“My daughter was very into kickboxing and my son came to training with me – he’s in the film and came out to Thailand when we trained there.”
HOLLYWOOD PALS
Idris – who’s reported to be worth over £9 million – has worked with some of the hottest names in Hollywood, many of whom have become friends. He stars alongside Tom Hiddleston and Chris Hemsworth in the Thor films, Matthew Mcconaughey in The Dark Tower, and is
currently filming The Mountain Between Us with Kate Winslet.
He reveals that none of them felt threatened by his ripped physique, though.
“Haha, no!” he laughs. “I think my current co-star (Kate) is quite impressed, actually, and has decided to take up Pilates pretty heavily! But I don’t think there’s any jealousy. I think they thought I was a bit stupid for doing it (the boxing documentary), because they were like, ‘What if you hurt your face or break your arm?’ They didn’t think it was a smart move.”
STAYING GROUNDED
While he won’t confirm if he’s single, Idris quashed rumours he dated superstar Madonna after his final kickboxing fight last October. He’s also been linked to good friend Naomi Campbell, but the actor says he has a rule about never reading any of the stories written about him.
“I try not to watch my own stuff or read what’s said about me,” he says. “It helps me to stay grounded. I concentrate on things like my music and Dj-ing; things that have nothing to do with acting. “Celebrity culture can damage your psyche; if you believe what’s said about you, you’re floating on Cloud 9, which isn’t real. I’m no different to anybody else; I just happen to be in the public eye.” And Idris reveals that – like any other son – he’s a mummy’s boy, and says his Ghanaian mum Eve helps keep him grounded. “My mum wasn’t impressed with me kickboxing at all,” he reveals. “She came to my first amateur fight and, in the third round, a pretty brutal uppercut took me down. “She was worried about me. She was like, this is silly. In between rounds I could hear her saying things like: ‘Drink some water, don’t let him kick you in the head, what are you doing this for? Do you need your asthma inhaler?’ I was like, ‘Mum, be quiet, please!’”
Having accomplished so much in the name of his adrenaline-fuelled documentary, what’s next for the Golden Globe winner to try?
“To be a spaceman!” Idris laughs. “If Discovery (channel) will pay for it then I’ll go to space!” Wouldn’t he prefer to try something less risky? “Well, I’m not so sure about The Great British Bake Off, but extreme knitting might be good,” he adds. “Now that could be an interesting comeback show!”