Idris Elba "Yearning" To Help Ebola Hit Sierra Leone
He tells us he wants to re-educate people
Idris Elba has told Entertainment NOW! he’s “yearning” to help Sierra Leone in their fight against Ebola.
Speaking to us at the MOBO Awards launch at Ronnie Scott’s in London today, the acclaimed actor, singer and DJ explained he wants to highlight the plight of the country where his father was born and parents married.
“I come from Sierra Leone and I’ve never been to Sierra Leone so my yearning to help with what’s going on there is massive and compelling,” Idris said.
“What I want to do is re-educate people because right now it’s got the face of death, ‘Ebola is a death sentence’ – it really isn’t. It’s isn’t a death sentence and there is a way to fight it.”
He continued: “Obviously it’s at a crisis point and the world leaders are getting together but for me I can be effective in spreading that message – realigning people to think about what we have to do.”
Idris flew into London from New York to pick up his MOBO Inspiration Award – the first one ever handed out – and he told us why he thinks he’s been recognised:
Following a five year hiatus away from London, the MOBO Awards will return to the capital at Wembley Arena on Wednesday 22nd October.
Big name nominees include Sam Smith, Ella Eyre (who also performed this afternoon), Jessie J, Beyoncé, Drake, Chris Brown, Katy B, Nicki Minaj and Ed Sheeran.