Mahershala Ali recently appeared on the talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live, where he discussed various topics, including being voted best dressed, dancing with Julia Roberts, and where he keeps his Oscars.
Ali, a two-time Oscar winner, is currently starring alongside Julia Roberts in the new thriller “Leave the World Behind,” which is in theaters now and will be available on Netflix starting Friday.
During the interview, Kimmel humorously suggested that Ali should be handed an award when he comes out on stage, given his impressive accolades. However, Ali revealed that he keeps his Oscars at home instead of carrying them around with him. He described how they are placed on the top of built-in shelves in a more private area of his house. While people haven’t asked to see them, Ali mentioned that if someone walked upstairs to one of the rooms, they could catch a glimpse of the prestigious awards.
Ali also shared a heartwarming story about his daughter’s trophy. As she had recently won a trophy for gymnastics, she proudly placed it in front of his Oscars when they returned home to California. Ali’s daughter firmly believes that her trophy is the most important one in the house.
Aside from his acting career, Ali has also garnered attention for his personal style. He revealed that he collaborates with his brother and former President Barack Obama on designing his outfits. He described how Obama presents him with ideas and together they create a unique wardrobe. Ali expressed his love for fashion and explained that he takes great care in selecting clothes, whether it be purchasing them or receiving gifts from companies.
Kimmel also touched on Ali’s nomination for an Emmy for his narration in the show “Chimp Empire.” Ali humorously mentioned that seeing the other nominees in the category, such as Pedro Pascal, Angela Bassett, Morgan Freeman, and Barack Obama, made him feel like it was another loss.
The conversation then shifted to Ali’s film “Leave the World Behind,” which is produced by Barack Obama and his wife, Michelle Obama. Ali clarified that although the Obamas are listed as producers, he didn’t directly work with them. However, he had conversations with the former President to understand the book that the movie was based on and ran lines with him to help memorize his lines.
To lighten the mood, Kimmel brought up Ali’s high school yearbook photo, where he was named “Best Dressed.” Ali admitted that he and his friend were competitive in inspiring each other’s fashion sense during their high school years. He mentioned that receiving the “Best Dressed” award was something he had wanted, and even though he won the award for “Most Improved” in first grade, there was a significant gap before gaining recognition again during senior year.
The conversation then delved into Ali’s personal wardrobe, as he admitted to having a lot of clothes. He shared that he and his wife both take up their fair share of closet space. Ali explained that due to his particular nature, he rarely buys things, but when he does, it holds meaning to him. Additionally, he mentioned receiving gifts from companies and accumulating suits during awards seasons, which takes up closet space.
The interview concluded with Ali discussing his movie “Leave the World Behind” further. He described it as a thriller set in a world where New York City experiences a cyber attack, resulting in a blackout. Ali’s character, along with his daughter, seeks shelter in a vacation home where chaos and uncertainty reign. He and Julia Roberts share a dance scene in the movie to the ’90s song “Too Close” by Next. Ali admitted that dancing in character was nerve-wracking, but working with Julia Roberts made it enjoyable.
Overall, Ali’s appearance on Jimmy Kimmel Live was filled with humor, anecdotes, and insights about his career, personal style, and latest film. Fans of Mahershala Ali will be excited to see him in “Leave the World Behind” and eagerly anticipate his future projects.
