Idris Elba Reacts to Being Named People’s ‘Sexiest Man Alive’

Idris Elba (Credit: Deposit Photos)

Idris Elba can’t believe he’s People‘s Sexiest Man Alive for 2018. The 46-year-old actor expressed his shock in the magazine’s cover story, admitting he didn’t believe it at first.

“I was like, ‘Come on, no way. Really?’” the Avengers: Infinity War star revealed Tuesday.

Elba didn’t hesitate to put a humorous spin on his win, adding: “Looked in the mirror, I checked myself out. I was like, ‘Yeah, you are kind of sexy today.’ But to be honest, it was just a nice feeling. It was a nice surprise — an ego boost for sure.”

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The London, England native is the 33rd star to be crowned Sexiest Man Alive. Voice judge and country singer Blake Shelton won the honor in 2017, while Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson snagged the title in 2016.

Elba told the magazine he his appearance has changed over the years.

“I was very tall and skinny,” The Wire alum said. “And my name was Idrissa Akuna Elba, okay? I got picked on a little bit. But as soon as I could grow a mustache, I was the coolest kid on the block. Grew a mustache, had some muscles, bonkers.”

As for Elba’s professional life, he’s in talks to join the movie adaptation of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical Cats.

The movie version will be directed by Oscar winner Tom Hooper, who previously helmed the movie adaptation of Les Misérables. Production on Cats will begin later this year in London.

The actor’s previous film credits include Daddy’s Little Girls (2007), 28 Weeks Later (2007), American Gangster (2007), RocknRolla (2008), Obsessed (2009), Takers (2010), No Good Deed (2014), Beasts of No Nation (2015), and Molly’s Game (2017).