Images

Idris Elba named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine

Idris Elba named Sexiest Man Alive by People magazine

The British actor says his mother's going to be "very, very proud"
06 Nov, 2018

People magazine has named Idris Elba as 2018′s Sexiest Man Alive, and the British actor says the honor has given him a boost of self-confidence.

Elba, who starred in The Wire and Luther, was surprised after being crowned this year’s winner, the magazine said .

“I was like, ‘Come on, no way. Really?’” he told the magazine. “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.”

Elba’s selection was revealed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, with the actor appearing via satellite from London. Fallon had Elba perform poses to match the magazine’s cover description of him as a “sweet, smoldering superstar.” Elba said of his selection, “My mom is going to be very, very proud.”

The actor has also starred in Marvel’s Thor franchise and as Nelson Mandela in the film Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom.

Elba, 46, also performs on the side under the deejay name DJ Big Driis and has his own clothing line. He is also planning a wedding with his fiancée Sabrina Dhowre.

The actor has a 16-year-old daughter, Isan, and a 4-year-old son, Winston, from previous relationships.

Elba told People about his upbringing as an only child of African immigrants growing up in East London. The actor said his parents were strict and he got picked on often while attending an all-boys school despite playing an array of sports including football, basketball, cricket, hockey and rugby.

“I was very tall and skinny,” recalled Elba, who stands at 6-foot-3. “And my name was Idrissa Akuna Elba, OK? I got picked on a little bit. But again, as soon as I could grow a mustache, I was the coolest kid on the block. Grew a mustache, had some muscles, bonkers.”

Past winners include Dwayne Johnson, David Beckham, Chris Hemsworth, Adam Levine, Channing Tatum and last year’s honoree, country star Blake Shelton.

Elba will be featured in a special double issue that will hit newsstands Friday. The actor said he tries to live life without few regrets.

“Life isn’t about thinking about what you should have done,” he said. “I think everyone should adopt the philosophy that tomorrow is not promised so just go for it today. You might as well do it to your heart’s content.”

Comments

auginpk Nov 06, 2018 06:10pm
He is this without doubt.
Recommend
FDB Nov 06, 2018 07:08pm
Seriously? From what angle?
Recommend
MAK Nov 06, 2018 07:14pm
Met him, very cool and down to earth guy.
Recommend
Babu Desai, bihar Nov 06, 2018 10:29pm
Really? What are the criteria? Fawad, Hritik, Sidharth are all better looking. I am baffled.
Recommend
Shah Nov 07, 2018 12:40pm
Sexiest man alive - but many in Britain would still hate to see him, an African, play 007 James Bond.
Recommend
Shah Nov 07, 2018 12:45pm
@FDB One do not need to have light skin to be considered beautiful. Self confidence, great smile, command of language, height and sparkling eyes are much more important then having light skin. This gentleman has it all, including coolness :)
Recommend
Richie Nov 07, 2018 03:20pm
They doesn't have “fair skin" or “spoken English" inferiority complex like us Pakistanis.
Recommend