Movie star, Idris Elba got his forearm inked ‘one life’. He explained that he got it as a reminder to grab every opportunity after losing his father to lung cancer. He said; “That’s it. That’s all we’ve got. I watched my dad die, and he and I had big plans.
I never got to show him the fruits of my labour. We talked about things he could have if I made it, then he got sick. It was heart-breaking, but it also grounded the f*** out of me.”
The actor certainly lives up to his motto. His new Netflix comedy, Turn Up Charlie, was released last week, and gangland movie Yardie – his debut as a film director – hit cinemas last year. He’s finished filming Fast & Furious spin-off Hobbs & Shaw, and he sings opposite Taylor Swift in the upcoming movie of musical Cats.
In 2016 Elba did a year’s training as a kickboxer for a documentary, winning his only professional fight. The dad of two also has his own music label, production company, fashion line, and a London bar – and makes his debut in April as a DJ at California’s prestigious Coachella music festival.
Refusing to be labelled only as an actor, he said; “I just want to encourage people to stay away from those who tell you to ‘stay in your lane’. You’ve got one life to live. If you want to try something different, go for it.”