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Colman Domingo explains that the circumstances lined up perfectly, which is why he has stars on his boots. He is giddy as he displays his clean white Chelsea boots, each adorned with three blue stars. Domingo’s contagious and unrestrained laughter often interrupts his otherwise calm and smooth baritone. Overall, he exudes immense charm through his voice, attire, and personality.
Recently, some stars have aligned to create a constellation in the shape of Domingo. He has been featured in two noteworthy films and the actors’ strike has ended just in time for him to discuss them. One of these films is The Color Purple, a grand adaptation of Alice Walker’s renowned novel-turned-musical (the white boots were only for a photoshoot, not a regular part of his wardrobe). The other is Rustin, a biographical film about Bayard Rustin, the unsung hero behind the iconic March on Washington in 1963. Ironically, despite his advocacy for Black rights, Rustin’s sexual orientation and affiliation with communism led to his erasure from history books. He has been referred to as “the godfather of intersectionality.” According to Domingo, “He was openly gay at a time when it could have severely impacted his career and physical well-being. It’s like cancel culture on steroids.”
Domingo’s role as Rustin is his first major lead and it suits him perfectly. After researching Bayard Rustin, Domingo realized they shared some similarities, such as physical size and being from Pennsylvania. Like Rustin, Domingo is also left-handed and gay, having been married since 2014. Domingo explains that Rustin’s main focus was civil rights, with his sexuality being just one aspect of his identity. Similarly, Domingo sees himself as a regular man with his own thoughts, dreams, and desires, who happens to also be gay.
Like his subject, 53-year-old Domingo is finally emerging from the margins, and deservedly so. His energetic, empathic performance is likely to be noticed come awards season, and after 30-odd years as a jobbing character actor, people are starting to notice him cropping up all over the place.
He recalls his last visit to London as a “bookend”. In 2014, he transitioned from the stage (in the West End production of The Scottsboro Boys) to the screen, landing a recurring role in the Fear the Walking Dead spin-off (which has recently concluded after eight seasons). Since then, he has continued to receive roles in various films, such as Ava DuVernay’s Selma (playing the role of Martin Luther King’s fellow preacher Ralph Abernathy), Barry Jenkins’ If Beale Street Could Talk, Janicza Bravo’s Zola, and the rebooted Candyman. Director George C Wolfe also recognized his potential as a leading man and cast him in the 2020 film Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom alongside Viola Davis and the late Chadwick Boseman.
Similar to Rustin, Domingo also possesses leadership qualities. Those in the film industry who have collaborated with him describe him as a commanding and magnetic presence. Not only does he excel on screen (known for his thorough research, including learning the trombone for Ma Rainey, the lute for Rustin, and the banjo for The Color Purple), but he also serves as a stabilizing and almost spiritual influence off screen. This is one of the reasons why Domingo has been in high demand lately. “I believe people appreciate me, and I appreciate people,” he states simply. “They know me and they know that I will contribute not just as an artist, but also as a person on set…I strive to show them a way of being and demonstrate that kindness is essential and everlasting in our work.”
Sam Levinson, the creator of the popular HBO show Euphoria, has once again worked with Domingo, who previously starred in his 2018 movie Assassination Nation. This time, Levinson wrote the role of Ali specifically for Domingo. Ali is a mentor and sponsor to Rue, played by Zendaya, who portrays a recovering addict. One of the most memorable episodes of the show features a lengthy conversation between Ali and Rue in a diner, where Ali imparts a meaningful lesson about life while sharing pancakes.
“We have a deep trust in each other, as if we have been friends for thousands of years,” he comments about Zendaya. “She is one of my most cherished scene partners because she always surprises me with her actions. She is genuine, and our chemistry on screen is a beautiful dance.”
They didn’t know each other for thousands of years, but it was close. Among the various jobs he had as a struggling actor, Domingo once worked for the California Shakespeare Company in San Francisco. While chatting on set one day, Zendaya mentioned that her mother used to work there and she would attend the plays when she was five or six years old. She specifically remembered one production (All’s Well That Ends Well) where a man dressed in white rode in on a motorcycle. It turned out that man was Domingo, who recalled pulling up on a motorcycle and delivering a speech to the audience. He also remembered seeing a young girl with curly hair in the front row and wondering who would be at a Shakespeare play at nine o’clock at night. It was none other than Zendaya!
As it gears up for its third season, there have been reports that some actors on Euphoria were uneasy about the amount of nudity and sexual content. However, according to Domingo, these claims were not reflected in his personal experience. He believes that the topic has been exaggerated and that the show’s creator, Levinson, is a compassionate and genuine director-writer-producer. He attributes the negative buzz to the show’s popularity and presence in the current cultural conversation, stating that criticism is inevitable when a show is successful.
Although he appears kind, Domingo frequently adds a sense of danger or darkness to his characters. This is evident in his portrayal of the ruthless Victor Strand in Fear the Walking Dead, as well as his African-accented pimp in Zola. In The Color Purple, he takes on the role of Mister, an abusive antagonist who viciously beats and rapes his teenage wife. Rustin also has his own struggles, and Ali in Euphoria has a past of domestic violence that looms over him. When it appears that this violence may resurface, the tension is tangible.
“I am a really good person!” exclaims Domingo with a booming laugh. “The characters with a threatening presence are often the most fascinating to me,” he adds more earnestly. “I believe that those who consistently choose to be generous, kind, and loving in their daily lives have a deeper understanding of darkness. They know what they are up against.”
Domingo grew up in a typical working-class household, according to him. He was raised in Philadelphia as the third of four children. His mother primarily took care of the household, while his stepfather worked as a floor sander. His father, who was from Belize, left the family when Domingo was nine years old. At the age of 21, he came out to his family and they fully accepted and supported him for who he is. While attending Temple University, he took an acting class as an elective and was told that he had a natural talent for it. He took this feedback seriously and decided to pursue acting. However, his journey in the industry has not been easy. He has faced many challenges, including working odd jobs like bartending and teaching, periods of unemployment, and building his own theatre companies. Through hard work and determination, he has also become a playwright, director, and producer, in addition to being an actor. According to Domingo, he did not have the luxury of solely focusing on acting.
Currently, he is spending time with esteemed figures such as Oprah Winfrey (who served as producer for The Color Purple) and the Obamas (whose production company was behind Rustin – during his time in office, Barack Obama posthumously honored Bayard Rustin with the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2013). When Domingo first interacted with the Obamas, he was starstruck. He admits, “I was filled with excitement; they are two of the most charismatic individuals on Earth.” However, their relationship has evolved and now they are collaborating on a project together. In fact, just last week, Domingo had the opportunity to introduce the movie at a festival while spending time with them. He shares, “I even found myself casually touching Barack Obama’s shoulder like an old friend. And I couldn’t help but wonder, is this even allowed? Will the Secret Service come after me?”
Domingo may finally be experiencing good fortune, but he is not fully embracing it. A major concern is the current state of his country, especially regarding recent efforts to ban books from libraries and suppress education on LGBTQ+ issues and the US’s history of racism against Black individuals. It is difficult to feel proud of Rustin’s accomplishments when there are still ongoing battles that need to be fought. “There are individuals in this world who are attempting to regress us back to 1963,” he states. “That is why it is crucial for a film like Rustin to inspire not only young people but also critical thinking – to combat feelings of hopelessness and remind people that they have the ability to unite and shape this country into what we desire it to be. This is why I believe that the film’s release is perfectly timed. We need someone to remind us: ‘This ordinary man sacrificed his life for the betterment of all of us. What will you do?'”
Source: theguardian.com
