‘Queen & Slim’ Actor Daniel Kaluuya Doesn’t Want To Talk About Race: It’s Boring, I’m Just Daniel, Who Happens To Be Black 

Daniel Kaluuya

‘Queen & Slim’ Actor Daniel Kaluuya Doesn’t Want To Talk About Race: It’s Boring, I’m Just Daniel, Who Happens To Be Black.

Daniel Kaluuya, 30, has been the face of several racially-charged films from Get Out and Black Panther to Queen & Slim. And while the award-winning actor is making his own mark, he said he’s experienced racial tensions in the industry.

He recently shared,

“I’m not going to ignore that I’m surrounded by [racial issues], but I’m not defined by it. I’m just Daniel, who happens to be black.”

Still, he has no plans on becoming the face of all things black in Hollywood.

“What is there to talk about race? It’s just boring to me. What’s the debate? I’m more of a doer. I’m just going to do what I want to do.”

He added that he doesn’t want to be the “race guy” before he named a handful of films that aren’t related to race.

“The Fades ain’t about race, Psychoville ain’t about race, Skins ain’t about race, Chatroom ain’t about race, Johnny English Reborn ain’t about race. But that almost gets erased. There’s a narrative that is pushed.”

He’s definitely been consistent with not wanting to be the go-to for racial relations. He told The Guardian in 2018,

“I’m not a spokesperson; I’m an individual.”

“Who’s the spokesperson for white people? There isn’t one. No one’s expected to speak up for all white people. I’m just living my life. I’m a black man, I’m proud of it, but I’m just living my life. You may victimise me, but you will not make me feel like a victim. And if you think you can, then what sort of person are you?”