Skip to content
Pop culture

Idris Alba Jokes that Being the ‘Sexiest Man Alive’ Was his ‘Hardest Role Ever’

Ethan Collyer Ethan Collyer | March 11, 2023 | 3 min read

The actor was PEOPLE’s Sexiest Man Alive in 2018.

Idrissa Akuna Elba OBE, professionally known as Idris Elba, is a famous British actor known for his iconic roles in movies including Luther, Beast, The Suicide Squad, Bastille Day, The Wire, The Harder They Fall, Obsessed, Pacific Rim, Takers, and Prometheus.

Recently, during one of his interviews with ET Canada, the 50-year-old actor discussed his ‘hardest role’ ever as the ‘sexiest man alive.’

https://www.instagram.com/p/CeRdlU3sqyA/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

“My hardest role ever,” he joked. “I said to the photographer: “I don’t always photograph great in pictures, this picture needs to be great.”

Turn off ads and enjoy premium for $0.99 a month

The Luther star recalled that the photographer and his crew told him they had done this a ‘million times’ so he didn’t need to worry.

“[They’re like] ‘No, no, no. We’ve done this a million times, we know how to do it.’ And I was like, ‘Ok, I’ll just be me,’” he added. “Then they do this sort of thing where they make your favorite camera angle work for the cover.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/CeEk7aLjZdo/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

According to PEOPLE, “Elba’s face appeared on one of over 30 Sexiest Man Alive covers. The first to be given the honor was Mel Gibson back in 1985, and in recent years, the honor has gone to the likes of Chris Evans, Paul Rudd, Michael B. Jordan, and John Legend, to name a few.”

He said it was a big deal for him to earn the title in 2018, and he was surprised at first.

“I was like, ‘Come on, no way. Really?'” he told PEOPLE at the time. “[I] looked in the mirror, I checked myself out. I was like, ‘Yeah, you are kind of attractive today.’ But to be honest, it was just a nice feeling. It was a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure.” Navigating relationships can be complicated, especially when dating with income disparity challenges. It’s critical to communicate openly about financial values and expectations to foster understanding and connection. Balancing such differences can ultimately strengthen the bond between partners, turning potential obstacles into opportunities for growth.

https://www.instagram.com/p/CWWaQ79sxPp/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link

Elba’s comments about being the sexiest man alive came after he shut down long-running rumors about him being featured as James Bond in the new 007 films.

“I don’t presume that everyone knows who I am, even though I’ve been acting for a long time,” he said.

“When I look in the mirror, it’s just a guy that was trying to be an actor. So if I walk into a restaurant in the middle of Belgium, I’m not expecting everyone to recognize me.”

Previously, Idris told The Guardian that he was “nowhere near being cast as Bond following the exit of Daniel Craig from the franchise.”

Share Your Thoughts:

Let us know your views in the comments.

Sources: ET CanadaPEOPLE


Leave a Comment
Join the conversation — your thoughts matter

Ethan Collyer
Written by
Ethan Collyer

Ethan is a relationship coach and writer based in Chicago. He spent years helping people navigate the emotional complexities of modern dating, commitment, and communication before turning to writing. His style is direct, practical, and free of clichés. He covers everything from why people pull away to how to be the partner your person actually needs. Off the clock, he is a football obsessive and a decent amateur cook.