Skip to content
Search AI Powered

Latest Stories

Michael B. Jordan To Agents: "I Don't Want To Go Out For Any Role That's Written For African Americans"

Michael B. Jordan To Agents: "I Don't Want To Go Out For Any Role That's Written For African Americans"
(Andrea Ciucci/NurPhoto) (Photo by NurPhoto/Corbis via Getty Images)

Actor Michael B. Jordan made a risky decision to avoid being pigeonholed as an actor who portrays characters based on his African American heritage.

After 2013's Fruitvale Station launched him to stardom, he asked his agents not to submit him for roles exclusively written for black actors.

Although there have been exceptions—Black Panther springs to mind—his decision has helped him carve out his path as an actor who can play any role, regardless of ethnicity.




He recalled making the decision during a discussion with actress Issa Rae on Variety's "Actors On Actors" series.

I said, 'I want to only go for, like, [roles written for] white males. That's it'. Me playing that role is going to make it what it is. I don't want any pre-bias on the character.



Jordan was determined to take on roles where the film's narrative wasn't dictated by the color of his skin.

I just always wanted to go out for those roles because it was just playing people.



With so many others between the ages of 17 - 40 vying for the same roles, Jordan also made his choice to open the playing field for his fellow African American actors.

It was just how do you reverse engineer that problem, that kind of pitted competition between each other. And just put more opportunity out there for people to eat and be successful at what they want to do.

Of course, his declaration from five years ago wasn't completely etched in stone. Jordan went on to star in the Oscar-nominated Creed and this year's biggest blockbuster to date, Black Panther, both of which featured roles meant for black actors.




But he did play Steve Montgomery in 2012's Chronicle, whose character's original surname was Kaczynski and was a role intended for a white actor.

Jordan (left) in "Chronicle."

Giphy


Beginning 3 months ago, his production company, Outlier Society, implemented the game-changing "Inclusion Rider" for all upcoming projects. He said on Instagram:

I've been privileged to work with powerful woman & persons of color throughout my career. [And] it's Outlier's mission to continue to create for talented individuals going forward.




H/T - Mashable, Instagram, Twitter, TeenVogue, Buzzfeed

More from Trending

A grocery aisle shelf of Cinnamon Toast Crunch
OLIVIER DOULIERY / Contributor/Getty Images

Bacon-Flavored Cinnamon Toast Crunch Just Landed In Stores—And The Internet Is Not OK

Every now and then, a food brand will try something different in an effort to rejuvenate its products and hopefully attract new customers.

Sometimes these pay off handsomely, such as Peanut M&Ms, which are arguably more popular than the original.

Keep ReadingShow less
Archbishop Thomas Wenski; David and Rena Mourer visit the entrance to "Alligator Alcatraz"
Joe Raedle/Getty Images (both)

Archbishop Rips 'Alligator Alcatraz' In Powerful Statement Condemning Trump's Immigration 'Enforcement Tactics'

Historically conservative Archbishop Thomas Wenski of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Miami issued an official statement on Thursday, July 3, addressing immigration enforcement tactics employed by the administration of MAGA Republican President Donald Trump.

Posted on the Archdiocese's website, it was also shared on the Archbishop's personal X account.

Keep ReadingShow less
Gavin Newsom; Nancy Mace
David Crane/MediaNews Group/Los Angeles Daily News via Getty Images; Kevin Dietsch/Getty Images

Gavin Newsom Hilariously Claps Back At Nancy Mace After Her Cringey 'Don't California My South Carolina' Debate Challenge

South Carolina Republican Representative Nancy Mace was widely mocked after she challenged California Governor Gavin Newsom to a debate—only for him to directly address her "Don't California My South Carolina' campaign with a list showing the stark differences between their two states.

Mace posted a video on X in which she extends a "FORMAL INVITATION" for Newsom to debate her "common sense policies," chiding him with the following message:

Keep ReadingShow less
office cubicles
Paymo on Unsplash

Things Toxic Coworkers Did That Made The Whole Office Go Silent

Workplaces have professional standards to maintain, or at least they should. While it's great to have fun in the office, there are some things that are appropriate during leisure time that aren't OK at work.

But some people never seem to get the memo.

Keep ReadingShow less
Donald Trump; Screenshot of Andrew Schulz
Joe Raedle/Getty Images; Flagrant Podcast

Trump-Supporting Podcaster Andrew Schulz Turns On Trump In Mind-Numbing Rant

Conservative podcaster Andrew Schulz had social media users rolling their eyes after he criticized President Donald Trump, saying Trump is "doing the exact opposite" of everything he promised during his campaign, like stopping wars and shrinking spending.

Which begs the question: why tf did Schulz believe a word Trump said during his campaign, since he is a well-known serial liar and con man?

Keep ReadingShow less