Damson Idris Talks JAY-Z Friendship And Gets Candid About Lori Harvey Relationship: 'I'm Not Letting Certain Things Affect Me'

The Snowfall star expressed deep gratitude for JAY-Z, who he said helped him get a green card to come to the U.S.

“He’s always supported me. He supports everyone. He supports so many people that you don’t even know. Like, genuinely I should tell everyone this right now,” Idris said. “If you ever run into JAY-Z, just say thank you and keep it moving because he is definitely a pioneer of the culture, but of everything. And I’ve never told him this, but he’s a huge idol of mine.”

When it comes to winning awards, Idris said that’s not his main focus, but the important thing is to use his platform to uplift others.

“If they come, they come. It’s out of my power, really,” he said about winning awards. “The most important thing is that those platforms make everyone feel welcomed. It’s not really about getting on stage and giving a speech and winning, and being like, look at me. Especially when you’re getting up there and they’re giving it to you because you fit a category or you’re in a community.”

Idris also commented on his relationship with his Swarm costars Dominique Fishback and Chloe Bailey.

“Dominique Fishback is an absolute powerhouse. She’s one of my favorite actresses. More people need to give her her flowers. She’s an extraordinary actress,” he said. “Chloe Bailey’s in it too. Absolutely killing it.”

Idris praised Swarm executive producer Dominique Fishback for giving him the opportunity to star on the popular TV series.

“Donald hit me up and said, I want to give people that I love the opportunity to succeed or fail. And we don’t ever get to do that. You know, there’s always so much pressure because there’s so little opportunities for us,” the Swarm star said. “So, you know, stepping on that set and getting to play with people that I admired was amazing.”

Commenting on his relationship with Lori Harvey, Idris said he is now more open about his love life because he is maturing and not worrying about what people say.

“I’m not letting certain things affect me,” he said. “I’m also understanding that life is life and social media is social media . . . My relationship today is great. Life is great.”

Idris said one of the turning points in his career is when he got turned down for a role in Star Wars.

“There’s gonna be many ups and downs in this industry as an actor,” he said. “I will always have something to prove, more enough to myself. And as long as a young kid starting out has that in their mind and moves with humility, they will go further than anyone else.”

Check out Idris’s interview with Complex’s Speedy Morman below: