💬 Micheal Ward: 'I want young Black people to understand I'm just the same as them' ⬇️ In this interview, the Top Boy star discusses his new film with Olivia Colman, intimacy coordinators, meeting Beyoncé, and being a role model
Ward feels the film opens up the conversation about racism now – about how far we’ve come as a society and how far we have to go. Spending his teenage years in Romford, “I didn’t have to deal with that at all. So when I’m hearing that stuff, it’s really shocking to me, and it’s so sad and upsetting. And that’s why it’s good to be part of these things.
Born in Jamaica, Ward came to England when he was four. His father had died in a car crash two years earlier, and his mother moved to Britain to start a new life, ultimately settling in Essex. Growing up, Ward was a keen footballer. He’s still good friends with former Liverpool striker Rhian Brewster – now at Sheffield United – whom he’s known since school, and clearly deeply admires him. “He moved to Liverpool when he was 13 or 14 from Chelsea. That’s why I knew he was strong.
After studying performing arts at Epping Forest College, Ward signed with a talent agency and modelled, briefly, including campaigns for JD Sports. He started appearing in videos for the likes of Lily Allen before auditioning for acting gigs. Since then, it’s been a wild ride. “And I’m just riding the wave,” he grins. “Just stay humble. Stay focused on the stuff that I want to accomplish and just keep working at a level where I can keep being proud of myself and the work that I’m doing.
Does he feel like he can be an inspiration to younger black kids, who might want to act? He nods. “And also [I can be] someone that they can relate to. I’ve not really changed, in terms of how I talk and the way I move. I still talk like some of the people I’ve grown up with talk, and they can relate to that. They see that, they hear it. And that’s important for me. Even when I go to Jamaica, I move like a yard man! Because I just want them to understand I’m just the same as [them].
Like returning to the O2, was it another turning point? “I’m just glad I got to tap in with them. And we’ll meet each other again. I’m not really fussed about those things. I just want to keep working, man, until these people that are idolised, to a certain extent, become my friends.”
United States Latest News, United States Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
NI Protocol: Trade data deal is significant, says Micheál MartinAgreement between the UK and EU on sharing trade data is a 'significant building block' to reach a deal on the NI Protocol, MichealMartinTD says
Read more »
Olivia Colman ‘terrified’ playing 'woman my age having affair with younger man’EXCLUSIVE: Oscar-winner Olivia Colman, 48, has opened up about sharing intimate scenes with Top Boy star Michael Ward who is half her age in new move Empire Of Light
Read more »
Pat Ward: Niall Cox admits to Clogher murder jury is toldPat Ward was found dead in an alleyway at McCrea Park in Clogher, County Tyrone in February 2019.
Read more »
Boy, 13, left with 'potentially serious injuries' in attack by group after leaving schoolThe boy, 13, had left Shrewsbury Academy at the end of the school day on Monday, and was reportedly set upon by a group, who were not from the school, on Corndon Crescent.
Read more »