Getting ready for a role in a blockbuster film always has its challenges, but for Damson Idris, there was one thing he couldn't prepare for. "How do I look cute when the wind is hitting me at 180mph?" The actor stars alongside Brad Pitt in F1: The Movie and had to spend months learning how to drive the racing cars before shooting. "We were really following the Grand Prix as it was happening," he tells 1Xtra's Nadia Jae. Damson says driving on iconic tracks like Silverstone and Rockingham is an intense experience. "You need to remember when you're driving those cars sometimes you're hitting 180mph. I was moving, it was fire," he says. "Then on top of that, you got to act within a movie, you've still got to try and look cute." Damson had some help from current F1 driver Sir Lewis Hamilton, one of the film's producers, who also has a cameo. "When it comes to driving he really encouraged me," Damson says. "He brought that energy on set that just reminded us of how authentic this movie is and that was always our goal - to make the most authentic racing movie of all time. "And Lewis is my brother as well so to see him getting his acting bag was so amazing to me." The film was released in the UK on Wednesday to generally positive reviews and marks a new era for Damson. The 33-year-old, who grew up in Peckham, south London, had his breakout role in 2017 US crime drama Snowfall, which he says was overlooked by "mainstream awards". But he was recognised by organisations such as BET, NWACP and Mobo, which celebrate black artists in the entertainment industry. "It's funny that every single award that the culture could give me, I won," he says. "We cleaned up there." Transitioning to a major Hollywood role has been a long road for Damson but he says he never lost hope thanks to his mum. "The conversations she used to have with me my during my periods of rejection, she'd come in and give me these words and really educate me," he says. "That knowledge of manifestation and acceptance makes you prepared for when it actually is a reality." One thing he wasn't prepared for though - spitting on his co-star Brad Pitt on set. He says the confession, which he made during an interview on The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, has been following him around ever since. "I never should have said it," he says. "People are like: 'Bro you phlegmed on Brad Pitt?' I'm like: 'I never phlegmed'." He insists it was an accident. "It was a little speck," says Damson. "But it was a speck too much, I mean it's Brad Pitt." Listen to Newsbeatliveat 12:45 and 17:45 weekdays - or listen backhere.
We were driving F1 cars at 180mph and still had to look cute
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"Damson Idris Discusses Challenges of Filming 'F1: The Movie' and His Career Journey"
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TruthLens AI Summary
Damson Idris, the star of the new film 'F1: The Movie,' recently shared his unique experiences preparing for a role that required him to drive Formula 1 cars at speeds of up to 180mph. In an interview with 1Xtra's Nadia Jae, Idris humorously reflected on the challenge of maintaining a fashionable appearance while racing at such high speeds. He described the intense thrill of driving on famous tracks like Silverstone and Rockingham, emphasizing the adrenaline rush that comes with navigating these iconic circuits. The film aims to deliver an authentic representation of the racing world, a goal that was supported by the involvement of F1 driver Sir Lewis Hamilton, who not only produced the film but also made a cameo appearance. Idris praised Hamilton for his encouragement and the authentic energy he brought to the set, which contributed to the film's overall credibility as a racing movie.
As Idris embarks on this new chapter in his career, the 33-year-old actor reflects on his journey from his breakout role in the 2017 series 'Snowfall' to his current Hollywood prominence. Despite facing challenges, including feeling overlooked by mainstream awards, Idris found recognition through organizations that honor Black artists in the entertainment industry. He credits his mother for instilling in him a sense of resilience and hope during difficult times, particularly through her teachings on manifestation and acceptance. However, one unexpected moment during filming involved accidentally spitting on co-star Brad Pitt, a mishap that Idris humorously downplayed during his appearance on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.' He clarified that it was merely a small accident, but it has since become a memorable anecdote from his experience on set. The film has already received generally positive reviews since its release in the UK, marking a significant milestone in Idris's evolving career.
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