Best Performance by an Actor in a Motion Picture, Drama (“Rustin”)
You’ve spoken before about how a lot of people didn’t know who Bayard Rustin was before the film. What’s it like now being recognized for playing this monumental figure?
It feels great because it means that they will know even more. Any acknowledgement that I receive always goes back to Bayard Rustin, and not only Bayard Rustin, but all of the Rustin cell. We made it with a sense of purpose and wit and intelligence and ferocity. I was actually texting with Rachelle Horowitz, who is featured in our film, who’s one of Bayard’s close friends and comrades, this morning. She goes, “Congratulations!” and I said, “It all goes back to you.” It does, because if they get to know more about all these wonderful, fantastic people who devoted their life to service to this country, and they were completely unsung and eradicated from the history books, I feel like that’s a great win. And the fact that I have anything to do with it — my heart is overflowing.
Between “Rustin” and “The Color Purple,” it’s been quite the year for you.
It’s an embarrassment of riches, but I won’t deny it’s been hard earned. I know I’ve worked hard for a moment like this and to be a part of the things that I feel like are speaking to who we are right now. Bayard Rustin devoted his life to service for this country. I’ve devoted my career to service when it comes to complex portrayals of African Americans, so now on two major platforms, I’m doing exactly what I hope to do.
What’s coming next?
I have a series that I need to finish up called “The Madness” for Netflix. I just have 25 more days of shooting on that, because we paused during the strike. And then I’ll have a little, possibly, some “Euphoria” going on. And then, I’m hoping, for the first time in my career, I left some bandwidth open. I don’t know if it was my instinct or what. But after being on “Fear the Walking Dead” for eight seasons and finishing that show up, I just wanted to have some open real estate to think about possibility. I don’t know, but that also feels really wonderful to not know.
Can you say anything about the new season of “Euphoria?”
No. I don’t know anything. All I know is that I’ll be in it.
How do you feel about the deal SAG-AFTRA got now that you’re back at work?
I’m so glad the deal has been ratified. I always have been in solidarity with my union, and I think we have a good deal. I think every deal is about moving the needle a little further. This takes three years, and I’m sure when we’re back at the bargaining table again, we’ll move the needle a bit further. It’s about making the gains that make us all feel good and seen and heard and getting back to work to take care of above the line and below the line.
Do things feel different for you now?
I guess I’m still trying to feel what the difference is. I don’t know, actually. I do know that I think that we have some exceptional gains. Hopefully, we all go back to sets differently. I’ve always considered my studios my partners, and we have to really advocate for each other. Sometimes we have to move the needle a little bit more just to make sure we all feel heard. And I think that’s what we’re doing. I don’t know the effects of it now, but I know I think we’re all very excited to get back to work.
Are there any of your fellow nominees that you would love to work with, or any other projects that you’re really excited about also being nominated?
I’m very excited about my colleagues in “The Color Purple.” I’m very excited about Da’Vine Joy Randolph. She’s a dear friend, and we’ve known each other for many years. I’m glad her work has been lifted in “The Holdovers.” Also, my comrades like Leo DiCaprio, and I literally just watched “Maestro last night.” I admire so many of these people. Barry Keoghan, I would love to work with. I think he’s just a fantastic artist, and he seems like he’s full of surprises — people like that.