Colman Domingo talks 'Rustin' character and hanging out with the Obamas on Stephen Colbert's show

LOS ANGELES, CALIFORNIA: Colman Domingo, the Emmy Award-winning actor known for his remarkable performances in 'If Beale Street Could Talk,' 'Zola', and 'Euphoria,' recently graced 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.'

During the lively and engaging interview, Domingo delved into his portrayal of Bayard Rustin in the critically-acclaimed film and shared amusing anecdotes about his encounters with the Obamas.

The conversation began with Colbert being dubbed Domingo's "good luck charm" after the actor's Emmy win following a previous appearance on the show.

Domingo's words of encouragement

Reflecting on his journey, Domingo offered words of encouragement for struggling artists, emphasizing the importance of trust and perseverance. "Just trust as long as you feel like you have purpose and something to say," he advised.

Discussing his role as Bayard Rustin, Domingo shed light on Rustin's pivotal influence on Dr Martin Luther King Jr. "First of all, he was the one who really inspired Dr King on his ideologies about pacifism, teachings of Gandhi, etc. He was an outlier in the world."

Raised Quaker, black guy from West Chester, Pennsylvania, Domingo conveyed Rustin's outsider status as a superpower, essential in coalescing various factions within the movement.

Domingo sheds light on Rustin's sexual orientation challenges

Domingo drew attention to the historical erasure of Rustin due to his sexual orientation, highlighting the significant impact it had on his life.

In Domingo's words, Rustin was "wildly hidden into the shadows of history because of his - he was openly gay. In 1963."

He painted a vivid picture of the challenges Rustin faced during a time when being openly gay was not only unheard of but could potentially devastate one's career, livelihood, and even pose physical harm.

Pleasure of portraying reality

Domingo expressed how he enjoyed playing a real person. He specifically mentioned his connection with Michelle Horwitz, a contemporary of Rustin depicted in the film.

He emphasized "She has become my Jewish mama. Her name is Michelle Horwitz and she is also depicted in our film. I wanted to do her and Walter Nagel Byard's partner justice. I wanted to really make sure they were proud of it."

When addressing Rustin's distinctive vocal cadence, Domingo detailed his research process, studying Rustin's imagery and recordings. He humorously demonstrated Rustin's unique mannerisms, showcasing the actor's dedication to authenticity in his performance.

"He had this vocal quality. His voice was higher pitched. He also had an effective dialect. He gave himself a mid-Atlantic standard accent, like Katharine Hepburn, something like that."

Colman Domingo's unforgettable moment with the Obamas

The interview took a delightful turn when Colbert inquired about Domingo's experience at the Obamas' holiday party.

Domingo revealed a candid moment of shared dance moves with Barack Obama.

"The Obamas' holiday party and they were playing some song, Jay Z or something. That's my song. I'm throwing hands up and then I see Obama and he is doing that too and I'm like 'Hey!'. We are dancing, doing body language. Wait, am I doing this right now? I'm slapping them on the arm, in the back."

"We have a very friendly relationship," he added.

Colman Domingo's infectious enthusiasm, coupled with insightful reflections on his role as Bayard Rustin and delightful tales of hanging out with the Obamas, made for an engaging and memorable interview on 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert'.