What reaction do you put out when a child asks an unexpected question? That was the fix Idris Elba, 51, was caught in when young Addison asked him: “Why do all my mom’s friends think you’re so sexy?”
Elba, taken aback, graciously replied, “Wow. Please tell your mom’s friends it’s a compliment. Thank you so much. I’m humbled. And embarrassed. Next question, quick!”
His charming response left everyone amused and eager for more. In a delightful exchange during the PEOPLE’s exclusive Kids Interview series, the acclaimed actor disclosed that his favorite song is (“Could You Be Loved?” by Bob Marley).
He added that his most cherished film project is 2013’s “Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom”. On what his favorite childhood memories are, he quipped that he loved playing soccer with friends in the neighborhood.
“There used to be sunny days, especially during the summer holidays. We used to play football all day long,” The Wire star recalled.
Recounting his moment with Queen Elizabeth II on his acceptance of the OBE Badge, Elba said he “nearly fell into the Queen.”
“No one noticed, but she did, because she could see. Then [she] put the pin on, and I got out of there. Imagine if I had fallen into the queen,” he said.
He revealed that his childhood role model was his parental grandfather, Moses. According to him, even though Moses died before he was born, his influence on his perspective is phenomenal.
“I just heard the most incredible stories about him,” he said. “In fact, I’ve got his name tattooed on my arm.”
Elba, the Golden Globe winner, returns to voice Knuckles the Echidna in the miniseries based on the iconic Sonic the Hedgehog character.
The six-episode series, a spin-off from the Sonic film trilogy, follows Knuckles as he mentors Wade to become an Echidna warrior.
Fans can catch the premiere of “Knuckles” on Paramount+ starting April 26.
