Idris Elba Reacts to Being Named 2018’s Sexiest Man Alive
Move over, Blake Shelton! People magazine has named a new Sexiest Man Alive for 2018, and the title goes to none other than Idris Elba.
“I was like, ‘Come on, no way. Really?'” Elba said of his reaction when he heard about the honor. “Looked in the mirror, I checked myself out. I was like, ‘Yeah, you are kind of sexy today.’ But to be honest, it was just a nice feeling. It was a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure.” (On Twitter, he also snuck in a reminder for Americans to vote in the midterm elections.)
The British actor first rose to fame in the US as drug trafficker Russell “Stringer” Bell on HBO’s hit drama The Wire, and has since gone on to star in several major Hollywood films, including as Heimdall in Marvel’s Thor franchise, as well as the upcoming Fast and Furious spinoff, Hobbs and Shaw.
Elba appeared via satellite on Jimmy Fallon’s Tonight Show for the unveiling of his Sexiest Man Alive title, pulling off some “smoldering” and “sweet” poses. “My mom is going to be very, very proud,” he quipped.
Elba also expressed some surprise given his memories of being an awkward teen just like everyone else. “I was very tall and skinny,” he recalled to People. “And my name was Idrissa Akuna Elba, okay? I got picked on a little bit. But as soon as I could grow a mustache, I was the coolest kid on the block. Grew a mustache, had some muscles, bonkers.”
What do you think of this year’s Sexiest Man Alive? Let us know @BritandCo!
(photo via Alexander Koerner/Getty Images)
