Latest news with #Idris
Refinery29
9 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
F1's Damson Idris Just Wants To Make His Black Women Fans Proud
Damson Idris is racing straight to becoming a household Hollywood name. But no matter where his career takes him next, we can say that we saw him first. The 'we' is Black women, of course, who dubbed the British-Nigerian actor as a certified Internet Boyfriend long before his starring turn in this summer's first big blockbuster. After captivating audiences as Franklin Saint in Snowfall, Idris is shifting gears — literally — into high-octane territory with his leading role in F1, the Formula 1 racing film from director Joseph Kosinski and producer/ star Brad Pitt. Whether he's embodying a South Central kingpin or donning a racing suit opposite Hollywood heavyweights, Idris brings depth, precision, and a quiet confidence that continues to set him apart. And as Unbothered's very own Christa Eduafo found out when she sat down with him recently in New York City, the actor is well aware that his Black female fanbase bet big on Damson Idris stock early. 'I can't wait for them to go on this journey with me throughout my career,' Idris said with a smile. Here, Idris opens up about the evolution of his career, his mother's influence as both an anchor and a humbling presence (African moms stay on brand), and the unwavering support he receives from the fans who've been riding with him since day one. He also teases his upcoming role in Children of Blood and Bone, the hotly anticipated fantasy epic based on Tomi Adeyemi's bestselling novel. Between blockbuster projects and staying rooted in purpose, Idris is proving he's not just a rising star, he's shaping the future of Black storytelling, barrelling full speed towards superstardom — and we're riding shotgun. Unbothered: You're starring in what's going to be the blockbuster of the summer. Walk me through when you found out you were going to be in F1. Was it shock? Was it readiness? How did that feel? Damson Idris: Man, I was in Turks and Caicos. So I was on vacation, I was looking at the sunset, and then I got a phone call: 'Hey, do you want to be a Formula 1 driver?' And I lost my mind. I just screamed to the heavens. This is a part that I prayed for. I dreamed of this, so being able to accomplish it, and to be at this place today where I believe we made a brilliant movie, is a dream come true. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Unbothered (@r29unbothered) You mentioned prayer. You've said that you manifested this role. In a previous interview, you said you downloaded the Formula One game and named your player, Joshua Pierce, which is the name of your character in the film. So do you manifest often? DI: 100%. I understand how powerful we are as beings and with the characters that I play, I do believe that what's mine is mine. So it's really a feeling that I tend to chase. With Snowfall, I really wanted to work in the States and I loved those kinds of gangster movies, like Goodfellas, American Gangster and the like. And then with this movie, I really wanted to play an athlete because of my football background. But I was also ready and prepared for a movie that I believe was going to reach every corner of the world. So when this opportunity came, I knew it was mine and I wanted to do a really good job. So hopefully I made everyone proud. You were amazing in the film. I'm a big manifestation person as well, and it's just about knowing, just being certain, and that's really it. So between Joshua Pierce and Snowfall's Franklin, you play characters that have a lot of aura to them. So I was wondering, would you say you have aura? DI: I just learned what aura is the other day. Do I have aura? I don't know. No, I'm the worst person to ask. I'll never admit that I have aura. I'll never admit it, but I don't know. Alright, yeah, I got a little, tiny, little sprinkle of aura [laughs]. ' [My mum] is my biggest fan. When the movie comes out, the opinion that's gonna matter most to me is hers. damson idris ' You said recently that you're most excited for your mom to see this film, and that she would call to check on your safety when you were on set. What were those calls like? DI: Just her screaming in Yoruba, 'you better be safe!' She's my biggest fan. So when the movie comes out, you know, the opinion that's gonna matter most to me is hers. Your character in the film, Joshua, has such a beautifully close relationship with his mother. And I know you mention all the time that you have one with your own. So I was wondering, how does your mom keep you grounded as your star is rising? DI: I call her all the time. Every day I call her. On this career [journey] that I'm on, you know, you spend so much time in the back of a car alone, alone in a hotel room, you know, alone on a plane, so to have someone that I can call that just constantly reminds me of where I came from is so important to me. And my mom is that person. That's so valuable to have. I'm Ghanaian, so African parents can be our biggest cheerleaders, but they can also humble us lovingly. So I was wondering if you have an example of a time that your mom lovingly brought you back down to earth. DI: Oh my gosh, when I first started acting, working in a theater is this revered thing in the UK. So I would be doing plays, and my mom would come and watch the plays, and she'd be like, 'yes, theater is okay, but when are you going to be on EastEnders or Hollyoaks? Because my mom loves soaps. So in my head, funny enough, through that was how I said to myself, Man, I need to be on a screen. So, yeah, I guess my mom was a huge motivator for that. She was underwhelmed by my theater parts. ' I'm grateful that [Black women] support my work. I can't wait for them to go on this journey with me throughout my career. I always want to make Black women proud. damson idris ' You have a lot of Black female fans. You're a little bit of a heartthrob. What has that attention been like? Is that a new experience, something you pay attention to or is it just kind of background noise? DI: I don't pay attention to it but I'm grateful that they support my work and that they support my aura. I can't wait for them to go on this journey with me throughout my career. You know, I always want to make Black women proud. I was raised by one. Can you give a little message to your Black women fans? DI: To my gorgeous Black women out there who are supporting me, thank you. Thank you. Thank you. I can't wait for you to watch F1. I promise you, Joshua has aura [laughs]. ' You know exactly how we felt when we walked out of Black Panther? That's how we're going to feel with [ Children of Blood and Bone ]. We put everything into it. damson idris ' Children of Blood and Bone is next for you. It just wrapped. That was a stacked cast. You worked with a lot of members of the diaspora there. What was the most exciting part about being a part of that film? DI: So many of them are my friends that I've known for so long. In passing on this journey, we always say the same thing to each other: 'When are we going to work with each other?' So I tip my hat to Paramount and Gina Prince-Bythewood for assembling a juggernaut of a cast. We spent six months in Cape Town filming and we just wrapped. Every day, a new heavyweight would come in and just prove why they exist. You know, from Idris to Viola to Chiwetel to Regina to Cynthia. I could just say their first names and you know what time it is. But also just watching a lot of us, younger actors, find our way and own our power too. Tosin Cole and Amandla Stenberg, and Thuso Mbedu, our lead, who I just think is such a beautiful actress. I can't wait for her career to blossom too. So, I just feel really blessed. Lashana Lynch, Zackary Momoh, there was a so much great energy on set. You know exactly how we felt when we walked out of Black Panther? That's how we're going to feel with this picture. We put everything into it. We showed so much respect to Africa, and we showed so much respect to the story too.
CairoScene
a day ago
- Politics
- CairoScene
Mohamed Idris Named African Union Permanent Observer to the UN
Idris's previous roles include serving as Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Permanent Representative to the African Union. Jun 25, 2025 Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Idris has been appointed as the African Union's (AU) permanent observer to the United Nations and will also serve as head of the AU's mission in New York. The appointment was received as a vote of confidence in Egyptian diplomatic capabilities within both regional and international institutions. Idris brings extensive experience in multilateral diplomacy, particularly in matters of peace, security, and development across the African continent. His previous roles include serving as Egypt's Permanent Representative to the United Nations, Ambassador to Ethiopia, and Permanent Representative to the African Union. He is currently a member of the UN Secretary-General's High-Level Advisory Board on Effective Multilateralism, which is tasked with evaluating the UN's peacebuilding architecture. The announcement comes at a time when Egypt continues to play a central role in African affairs. The country currently holds a seat on the AU Peace and Security Council and remains active in promoting peacekeeping and post-conflict recovery efforts. Egyptian leadership in African development was further underscored by President Abdel-Fattah El-Sisi's stewardship of the AU's Post-Conflict Reconstruction and Development file and his ongoing chairmanship of the AUDA-NEPAD Steering Committee.
Japan Today
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Japan Today
Brad Pitt reveals his favorite Japanese food, many Japanese people say they've never eaten it
By Casey Baseel, SoraNews24 Japan often gets Hollywood movies later than the rest of the world, but "F1," starring Brad Pitt, is fittingly, arriving in Japanese theaters as quickly as possible, premiering here on Friday, the same day as it does in the U.S. To promote the movie's opening, the producers have released a promotional video in which Kenyu Horiuchi and Shintaro Morimoto, who serve as the dub actors for Pitt and co-star Damson Idris, ask Pitt, Idris, and director Joseph Kosinski some questions on behalf of Japanese fans. The first question involves special training the on-screen cast undertook for their roles, and the next ones deal with special efforts made during filming and the cast's most memorable scenes. The three interviewees also express regret that while "F1" includes footage shot by a separate crew at Japan's Suzuka Circuit, none of them were able to travel to the country themselves for filming. The final question is a common one when overseas celebrities are making Japanese media appearances: What is you favorite Japanese food? Idris leads off with the predictable, but totally agreeable, answer of sushi, with an expression of bliss washing over his face as he fine-tunes his answer to toro, extra-fatty tuna. Kosinski goes a bit farther off the beaten path, saying 'I love a good hot shishito pepper,' a side-dish often found at yakitori restaurants, where they're usually grilled on a skewer over an open flame. But it's Pitt's answer that's truly unique, as he replies, and very confidently, that his favorite Japanese food is: 'Whitefish with ponzu sauce. Always.' Pitt's answer was surprising to a lot of Japanese people. Yes, ponzu, a sauce made from mirin, bonito stock, and citrus juice (such as lemon, lime or yuzu), and often mixed with soy sauce, is a popular condiment in Japan. However, ponzu is most commonly used as a condiment for hotpot or other simmered foods, or as a dipping sauce for sashimi or gyoza. It's generally treated like a substitute for soy sauce, and thus isn't something that Japanese people ordinarily pour on a slice of cooked fish. So not only is it unusual to hear someone say that whitefish with ponzu is their favorite Japanese food, the 'always' is an unexpected emphasizer for an unorthodox combination that you're not likely to encounter in Japanese restaurants or kitchens. Because of that, online reactions to Pitt's answer have largely been some sort of variation on the one embedded above: 'I don't think there are even many Japanese people who'd give that as their first choice.' Other have included: 'Now I wanna know where he tried that.' 'This is kind of like if someone asked 'What's your favorite American food?' and you said 'Alligator steak.'' 'Brad, someone pulled a fast one on you.' 'It's so specific. Was the person who cooked it Japanese? I can't ever remember eating whitefish with ponzu poured on it.' 'I wonder if the fish was grilled, steamed, or simmered.' 'It's got to be something he had with sake.' 'This would be good for a 'try not to laugh' challenge.'' 'Ponzu really does taste good when the flavor seeps into the other ingredients you're eating it with.' More than a few commenters theorized that when Pitt said 'whitefish' he was really talking about fugu, blowfish/pufferfish, which is often eaten with ponzu. That seems unlikely, though, since fugu's international fame as a Japanese delicacy that can kill you if it's not prepared correctly means that it rarely gets linguistically lumped in with whitefish by English-speakers. So odds are that Pitt really has eaten and enjoyed whitefish with ponzu sauce, and on more than one occasion. As for where he ate it, there are a couple possibilities. First, while it's not a standard or traditional combination, it is possible to find recipes, in Japanese, for whitefish with ponzu. There's one here, for example, on Cookpad, a website where home chefs can share recipes with one another. On the website of the UK division of soy sauce maker Kikkoman, which also produces ponzu, the company specifically recommends using ponzu 'as a marinade for fish, meat and vegetables.' If you run a search for recipes on Kikkoman's Japanese website for fish with ponzu, though, you won't find any. Likewise, Mizkan, another major ponzu maker, has 220 recipes for ponzu on its Japanese website, but not a single one that uses it as a sauce for cooked fish. With ponzu experiencing a recent surge in global popularity, it's possible that Pitt orders whitefish with ponzu at a nominally Japanese restaurant he frequents outside Japan, or that he's had it at restaurants in Japan with avant-garde sensibilities and a cosmopolitan, international clientele. 'I bet he goes to some really fancy Japanese restaurants,' mused one commenter. Or it could be that he has a personal acquaintance or private chef who's made whitefish with yuzu a part of their cooking repertoire and presented it to him as a kind of 'Japanese food,' since ponzu is a Japanese condiment and whitefish is part of Japan's culinary culture too. 'I think more so than comparing it to many other kinds of Japanese foods that he's tried, whitefish with ponzu sauce is the dish that has the strongest place in his memories,' said one commenter, and while just about everyone was surprised as Pitt's pick for his favorite Japanese food, no one seems to think it'd taste bad, even if they're not 100-percent sure it's really Japanese. Sources: YouTube/ワーナー ブラザース 公式チャンネル via Hachima Kiko, Twitter/@zimkalee, Kikkoman, Mizkan, Cookpad Read more stories from SoraNews24. -- Japanese people reveal the six western foods they find most disgusting -- 5 common misconceptions most westerners have about Japanese food -- Should you add wasabi to your soy sauce at a sushi restaurant? External Link © SoraNews24
USA Today
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- USA Today
'F1' star Brad Pitt felt 'such a high' driving on real tracks. Is a racing career next?
NEW YORK – 'You're kidding,' says Brad Pitt. 'Javier's leaving?' With that, Pitt is out of his chair and bear-hugging Javier Bardem. Seconds later, Kerry Condon and Damson Idris pop up from their seats and smother the smiling Spanish actor. A group interview with the core cast of 'F1 The Movie' (in theaters June 27) is indeed interrupted when Bardem apologizes that he has to dash to the airport. 'Love you bro, thank you for everything on this movie,' Pitt tells Bardem before turning back to the group. 'You know he's going to play Max Cady in the new Apple TV+ series adaptation of 'Cape Fear,'' says Pitt, rubbing his stubbled chin. 'He's going to kill it.' Any doubt about the genuine chemistry between this quartet is put to rest by this impromptu moment in a hotel meeting room. Spend time with the four and you'd think they were still in character. Pitt, 61, as laid-back but shrewd racer Sonny Hayes, who accepts a challenge from team-owning pal Ruben Cervantes (Bardem, 56) to return to racing's pinnacle. That journey includes a flirtation with steely race engineer Kate McKenna (Condon, 42) and push-back from brash teammate Joshua Pearce (Idris, 33). To make 'F1,' director Joseph Kosinski ('Top Gun: Maverick') and his cast and crew embedded themselves in the real world of Formula 1, often shooting with choreographed precision in 10-minute windows during actual F1 races all over the world. For Pitt, driving a Formula 1 car at up to 180 mph is the thrill of a lifetime For Pitt, who along with Idris trained for four months to drive a Formula 1 car at up to 180 mph, those 'F1' filming memories remain fresh. 'It was just such a high that I've never experienced before,' says Pitt, sporting a baby blue suit and mostly shaved head flecked with gray. 'I can put myself back in that car on certain tracks and I'm instantly happy.' Pitt, who is also a producer on the film, leans in towards Idris. 'What was your favorite track?' Idris doesn't hesitate. 'Austin's Circuit of the Americas for sure,' says the British actor of Nigerian descent. 'There are so many parts of legendary world tracks that make up COTA. Plus, I had that crazy spin there at like 150 mph, and survived.' Pitt laughs. 'Oh yeah, that's right! Well, for me it has to be …' 'Spa!' Idris blurts out, referencing the famous Belgian track. Pitt smiles. 'Yup,' he says. 'Spa, what a joy.' In fact, so much of a joy that the actor almost ruined the take there. Director Kosinski reports that every time Pitt's car approached a famous turn called Eau Rouge, where cars can get slightly airborne, Pitt couldn't stifle a smile. He had to be coached to keep a grim face. Real racers not only helped Brad Pitt and Damson Idris, they also appear in 'F1 The Movie' The 'F1' stars say that shooting the movie within the frenetic world of Formula 1 brought invaluable authenticity to their performances. For Pitt and Idris, that meant getting driving tips from the likes of Lewis Hamilton, Britain's legendary seven-time F1 world champion and one of the film's producers. 'Lewis is one of my heroes,' Idris says. 'I was definitely hoping to impress him. When we were at Silverstone (in England) I went flat out because he was watching. Fortunately I didn't crash.' Wasn't driving 180 mph terrifying for amateurs? 'That's not what makes your ass pucker,' Pitt says. 'You get comfortable with that quickly, because on the straightaways is when you floor it and can think for a second. But the rest is pure presence, dealing with a car that can stop on a dime or take a corner at 140 mph. Just glued to the road. It's shocking.' Word is Pitt got so good that he received offers to drive professionally after filming wrapped. Pitt acknowledges as much. 'If I were five or 10 years younger, I'd be doing that right now,' he says, conjuring the late-in-life pursuits of fellow acting legends Steve McQueen and Paul Newman. 'But I learned enough doing this movie to also know that to really learn race craft, you'd need to spend a few years dedicated just to this,' he says. 'I feel I have more (movie) stories to tell.' Javier Bardem has an automotive secret that makes Brad Pitt laugh For his role as owner of the fictional F1 team APXGP, Bardem says he enjoyed immersing himself in the world of wealthy and spirited team bosses, such as billionaires Lawrence Stroll of Aston Martin or Mercedes' Toto Wolff. 'What I loved was seeing these elegant, successful people completely lose it sometimes during the races, they were just that passionate,' he says. 'You might be a billionaire, but no one played it cool when things were on the line.' Was Bardem tempted to hit the track along with his actor pals, especially considering that his character is a retired Formula 1 driver? The question draws a blank expression from the actor. 'Well, no,' he says. 'I don't drive.' Bardem's 'F1' pals instantly crack up. The actor isn't kidding. 'Yeah, he just plays one on TV,' jokes Pitt as Bardem rolls his eyes. Condon notes that playing an F1 engineer in a world of mostly male counterparts was a welcome challenge. She drew inspiration from all the women in key F1 roles ranging from public relations to race engineering. 'These women have no issues with the men, they are super capable and get on with whatever they are tasked with doing,' she says. 'The only issue was when we all had to share the same damn toilet in the garage. I'd always be, like, 'Put the toilet seat down, lads.'' Pitt bursts out laughing. 'That wasn't me, Kerry,' he says. 'Besides, I was always saying, 'Hey, put the toilet seat up.'' Who gets scrutinized the most, F1 drivers or actors? Brad Pitt and his costars have no doubt Condon shoots Pitt a you're-such-a-wise-guy smile. The actress, who was Oscar-nominated for 'The Banshees of Inisherin,' radiates both a soft Irish femininity as well as a no-nonsense ruggedness. So when asked who has it worse in terms of public scrutiny, F1 drivers or actors, she doesn't hesitate. 'It's worse for drivers,' she says, tossing around a few expletives. 'They're grilled over everything. But to ask these young guys to drive at that level and push to win, but then shove a microphone in their faces and ask them to answer like a politician, well it's like you're asking them to snap. I would lose it!' Pitt laughs. 'Oh, she would, don't you doubt it.' Condon mentions how former F1 world champ Max Verstappen was fined for cursing on the in-car radio with his Red Bull team and at a press conference. The backlash that resulted led to the fine being reduced. 'I mean, do you want a bloody robot to drive the car?' she says with genuine outrage. 'Let them do their thing.' Pitt agrees. 'We were just in such reverence to them,' he says, recalling how pleased the cast was to see many of those drivers at the movie's recent premiere at New York's Radio City Music Hall. 'I saw Yuki (Tsunoda of Red Bull) and he said, 'I loved it, but in the movie, you're passing me Brad, not good,'' Pitt says, chuckling. 'I said, 'Don't worry Yuki, it's a movie, it's make believe.'' It's clear that for all four actors, spending months not on a soundstage but rather enmeshed in the realm of Formula 1 racing made an impression that will endure. 'For us to be allowed into this special ecosystem, this traveling circus, it was just so exciting,' Pitt says. Condon and Idris nod. Pitt shakes his head, then looks up and smiles. 'Ah, man,' he says, his voice just above a whisper. 'I miss it.'
Miami Herald
3 days ago
- Science
- Miami Herald
Parasitic creatures — living in spider egg sacs — found as new species in India
Across the regions of West Bengal, India, a group of researchers were on the hunt for the egg sacs of spiders. Between 2021 and 2023, they searched near farmland and natural environments alike until they found the groups of eggs. 'Spider egg sacs, along with guarding mother spiders, whenever encountered were collected from different localities in West Bengal,' researchers said in a study published June 23 in the peer-reviewed European Journal of Taxonomy. The researchers weren't after the spiders — they wanted the parasites hidden within. 'Each spider egg sac was carefully placed in a labelled vial and covered by muslin cloth,' researchers said. 'These vials were kept at room temperature (75 to 77 degrees Fahrenheit) in the lab for one month to monitor the emergence of spiderlings and parasitoids.' What emerged from the egg sacs were members of the Idris genus of parasitic wasps, according to the study. The group is known as 'gregarious' parasites, meaning more than one parasite is depositing in each host, in this case the egg sacs. When the wasps were reared from the eggs, they were revealed to belong to four new species, according to the study. The first new species is Idris bianor, named after the spider genus it parasitizes, according to the study. Its body length is just 0.02 to 0.03 inches long, researchers said, and its body is light brown, reddish brown and pale yellow with brownish black patches. The species is found in West Bengal, India, as well as in Pakistan, according to the study. Idris furvus, the second new species, was named after the Latin word for 'black,' and references its body color, according to the study. The wasp is predominantly black, with 'honey brown' legs and antennae, researchers said. The black Idris wasp is a bit larger than the bianor wasp, measuring 0.05 inches long, according to the study. The species has only been found in West Bengal, researchers said. The third new species is named Idris hyllus, again named after the host spider it parasitizes. The head and body are 'honey brown to yellow,' with 'pale yellow' mandibles that are 'reddish-brown' on the tip, according to the study. Only females of the species were discovered, researchers said. The last species, Idris longiscapus, was named after the 'elongated scape characteristic of this species,' or the section of antennae closest to the wasp's head, according to the study. Similar in size to the other species, the wasp is 'brownish black' with 'yellow' legs and antennae and white hairs on the body, researchers said. The species is found in West Bengal and Pakistan, researchers said. Parasitic wasps are a group of wasps that rely on other species to complete their life cycles, according to the University of Minnesota. They are all generally very small and lay eggs either in the eggs of another species or in another species itself the university said. Parasitic wasps don't build a hive or have a queen, and instead lead solitary lives that begin hidden. When the wasps emerge from a parasitized insect, the insect dies, according to the university. All four species were found in West Bengal, a state on the far eastern border of India, just west of Bangladesh. The research team includes V. Sushama, Rupam Debnath, K. Rajmohana and K.P. Dinesh.
