In real life, Colman's relationship with Zendaya on set is anything but a struggle. He sees this young woman of colour who’s struggling, and he’s like, 'Maybe I could help her find another way.'"
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He’s the person who has been through what all these kids are going through, but he actually has a full perspective, and he’s trying to impart what he knows, so people can just make the choices consciously for themselves. But what sets him apart is how he's become a moral compass for the show itself, and not just his young charge. Like so many characters in Euphoria, Ali's relationship with Rue is central to his role in the story. "As a Black man as a man of the world who has tenderness and kindness and forgiveness, because that’s what he’s asking for in the world." "I feel like it’s because of whatever Ali represents in so many ways," suggests Colman. People are always asking, 'Could I have a hug?' Usually, young women say, 'Could I have a hug, please?'"
"When people see me on the street or in a restaurant, the love that they shower me with, I think they treat me as if I’m Ali, in a beautiful way. It's no wonder fans have such a visceral reaction to Domingo in real life. "So when hit the airwaves, people recognised that it was something that was sorely needed, and they embraced it." "I don’t think there’s another character like Ali around," Colman continues. "Sometimes it takes a while for the industry to recognise exactly what you do." He’s just really interested in you truly being the best self that you can be, whatever that is." "Someone you can talk to, who’s not judgemental, who just wants you to be honest, and figure out what makes you tick. "I think everyone wants an Ali in their life," says Domingo. Whole episodes can go by without him, but when Colman's character does appear, Ali leaves an indelible mark on the show and fans alike. It's this work ethic, this alchemy, that makes characters such as Ali so popular, even within an ensemble piece like Euphoria. Because otherwise, people don’t know the work that goes into the alchemy that we do." I had to be in charge of the narrative about how I work, and my work ethic. "But I’ve learned that I’ve had to, in a way, so people can understand what you actually do, or how you do it. "But I also know that that luck is mixed with hard work."ĭomingo tells us that he's been reluctant to "toot his own horn" in the past. "I think that I’ve been very lucky as well," Colman adds. Few other actors have enjoyed such a phenomenal run in recent years, particularly with projects that resonate so much with the general zeitgeist. Thankfully, what's important to Colman as an artist is also pretty important to people at large. So it feels like there’s this great symbiosis where I’ve figured out the things that are meaningful to me, and are going to push me as an artist." I feel that maybe the projects I’m attracted to are also attracted to me, and what I bring to it. "I’m very specific about what I work on, and how I work. That doesn't mean Colman says yes to everything he's offered though. I’ve always played in all realms, whether it’s television, theatre, film, animation – you name it." "Because we’re always trying to put people in silos. "Sometimes it takes a while for the industry to recognise exactly what you do," explains Domingo. Thirty years after "starting out in black-box theatres that seat 99 seats," Domingo is more in demand than ever thanks to star-making turns in everything from Euphoria and Fear The Walking Dead to Zola and Ma Rainey's Black Bottom. "I've probably crept up on it," he laughs. Colman Domingo's success hasn't crept up on him.