Michael B. Jordan shares Denzel Washington's advice on staying relevant in film industry
Michael B. Jordan has emerged as one of Hollywood's leading actors, thanks in part to a deliberate strategy of maintaining a measured public presence. In a recent New York Magazine cover story, Jordan revealed that he limits his social media activity and avoids sharing much about his personal life to 'create a demand' for himself as a movie star. This approach seems to be paying off, as his latest film Sinners, directed by Ryan Coogler, has grossed over $350 million worldwide.
Jordan credits much of his career guidance to Denzel Washington, who encouraged him to be cautious about overexposure. Washington famously asked Jordan, 'Why would they pay to see you on a weekend if they see you all week for free?' This advice has influenced Jordan to stay relatively offline, contributing to the anticipation and allure surrounding his projects.
Before reaching this level of stardom, Jordan's career path was less certain. He began with television roles on shows like The Wire and Friday Night Lights, but he was eager to prove himself in film, especially in an independent movie where he could showcase his talents as a lead actor. That opportunity came with Fruitvale Station, which director Ryan Coogler presented to him, affirming Jordan's potential as a movie star. The film received critical acclaim and helped launch both Jordan's and Coogler's film careers, leading to successful collaborations on Creed, Black Panther, and Sinners.
Phillip Sun, Jordan's manager, emphasized that their focus was on quality roles rather than specifically seeking parts based on race. Continuing his careful management of public image, Jordan avoids popular platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and TikTok, but maintains an Instagram account with 25 million followers, primarily posting during film promotions.
Washington and Jordan's mentor-mentee relationship was also strengthened when Washington directed Jordan in the 2021 film A Journal for Jordan, underscoring the lasting influence of Washington's guidance on Jordan's career strategy.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Express Tribune
16 hours ago
- Express Tribune
Love Island USA season 7 premiere kicks off with surprise twist, delayed stream, and steamy couple shakeups
Love Island USA Season 7 made a dramatic entrance despite a 40-minute delay due to technical issues on Peacock's end, as reported by Screen Rant's Cher Thompson. The new season opened with a musical number led by returning host Ariana Madix and introduced ten new Islanders. A surprising twist gave the female contestants the power to kiss and choose their partners, a shakeup from previous seasons. The initial pairings were: Chelley Bissainthe & Austin Shepard, Huda Mustafa & Jeremiah Brown, Olandria Carthen & Taylor Williams, Bell-A Walker & Nic Vansteenberghe, and Yulissa Escobar & Ace Greene. Before these couplings, the women each kissed two of the men, and the men could be stolen at any moment. The result was a fast-paced and unpredictable shuffle that set the tone for the season. Two late arrivals, Bombshells Charlie Georgiou and Cierra Ortega, added even more intrigue. They kissed all the Islanders during a blindfolded game where each contestant had a chance to secretly kiss someone outside their pairing. This bold move stirred anticipation for the drama to come. Early dynamics are already shifting. Chelley showed a clear interest in TikTok star Ace Greene, despite her pairing with Austin. Huda revealed she has a daughter, a detail that could influence her relationship with Jeremiah. Belle-A's reluctance to get physical with Nic may also present challenges. Meanwhile, Yulissa's seemingly strategic behavior contrasted with the more open and honest interactions among Chelley, Olandria, and Belle-A. Despite the chaotic start, Love Island USA Season 7 has set the tone for a summer filled with emotional depth, evolving relationships, and surprising twists. With nightly episodes (except Wednesdays) on Peacock, the drama is just getting started.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
Offset deactivates social media after Cardi B and Stefon Diggs go public
Atlanta rapper Offset has deactivated both his X (formerly Twitter) and Instagram accounts following a public meltdown linked to his ongoing divorce from Cardi B and her newly surfaced relationship with NFL player Stefon Diggs. Over the weekend, Cardi B and New England Patriots wide receiver Stefon Diggs were seen partying on a yacht, prompting viral speculation about their romantic involvement. Diggs' absence from the team's organized activities — though not mandatory — reportedly raised concerns within the Patriots camp. Offset appeared to take issue with the attention the couple received, posting 'Good roll out n PR' on X before deleting his account. He also posted a series of now-deleted tweets, including one that read, 'Now when somebody die for playing with my son then call me the crash out.' The post referenced a photo showing Offset and Cardi's son Wave sporting a hairstyle similar to Diggs', sparking online trolling. The way Offset is deactivating all his social media and sliding down the wall is so satisfying 😂😂 he got ya bm he won 🙂↔️ — CARDIA (@CCardib2) June 3, 2025 Offset and Cardi B are currently entangled in a contentious divorce. Offset has requested spousal support, which Cardi responded to harshly during a live X Spaces session, saying she hoped he would 'die slow.' She further claimed his cheating and gaslighting during her pregnancy had a severe emotional toll, leading to health concerns for their third child. The former couple were married for six years and share three children. Their split continues to dominate headlines, fueled by both personal and public fallout.
Express Tribune
a day ago
- Express Tribune
MrBeast hits 400 million subscribers on YouTube
MrBeast has reached a new milestone on YouTube by surpassing 400 million subscribers. Celebrating the feat on X (formerly Twitter), he wrote, "400,000,000 subscribers! A decade ago, before I blew up, everyone in my life told me I was too obsessed and constantly told me that I'd never make it." The YouTuber added that his passion led him against the criticism. "Despite that, I was in love with making content and grinded every moment my eyes were open for seven years before anyone started watching. I literally told my mom I'd rather be homeless than do anything else." Grateful to the platform and his subscribers, he said, "The greatest gift in life is being able to wake up everyday with a purpose and thanks to YouTube and you guys, I have that. Thanks for 400M." No other channels on the platform are even close to the number. To put into perspective, Pewdiepie and T-Series – who had the popular online race to 100 million subscribers back in 2019, which the Indian music company won – are at 110 million and 295 million subscribers respectively. In 2023, MrBeast expressed his desire to break T-Series' record of subscribers – with MrBeast at 125 million subscribers and T-Series at 230 million then. He broke the record in 2024, becoming the most subscribed YouTuber on the platform. MrBeast, born James Stephen "Jimmy" Donaldson, joined YouTube in 2012 by posting gaming content and trying other formats. Flashforward to a 2017 video, he counted down to 100,000, which became his gateway to fame. The video currently has almost 32 million views. Since then, the YouTuber became known for his extravagant challenges and large-scale giveaways. In 2024, he premiered his own version of Netflix's Squid Game, called Beast Games on Amazon's Prime Video. The 10-episode competition series featured 1,000 players and set a grand prize of $5,000,000. Later, a lawsuit was filed against the content creator and his production company on behalf of five unnamed contestants, as per Variety. The lawsuit alleged that the show failed to provide basic necessities such as medical care, food, and sleep to the participants, adding that they were not paid minimum wage for their overtime involvement and were subjected to "dangerous circumstances and conditions." In response, MrBeast wrote on X, "We have tons of behind-the-scenes footage dropping when the series does to show how these claims were blown out of proportion. Just can't release it now because it would spoil the games." The show scored a 5.7 rating on IMDb and a 20 per cent score on Rotten Tomatoes, with viewers remarking that it exploited underprivileged participants for entertainment and missed the point of Squid Game.
