Michael B. Jordan backstage says ‘do the work’published at 04:19 GMT
04:19 GMT
Nardine Saad
at the Oscars
Image source, Disney via Getty Images
Sinners star Michael B Jordan has just addressed the media and again praises black actors who came before him, name-checking past Oscars winners Sydney Poitier, Denzel Washington, Halle Berry and Forest Whitaker.
He says that they graced the stage and were “not looking for awards” or acknowledgement, emphasising that they’re artists who are just doing the work as he hopes to be doing.
“That’s something I’ve always focused on, was trying to do the work. My father always told me, don’t expect anything to be handed to you, do the work knowing everything else is going to figure itself out,” he says.
He notes that “there is a selfishness” in the craft and industry, knowing that the Oscar is “a pinnacle” and an “industry standard”.
“This is what we put value on, in a big way, that competitiveness, we do want that but at the same time what’s for you is for you, and you can’t take anybody blessings away from anybody else,” he says.
“I’m just like walking my path. Man, just trying to be locked in. I would encourage other actors and artists, no matter what their medium is, to try to keep that in mind and be honest and truthful.”