6 Facts About Mahershala Ali, Star of 'GREEN BOOK', the First Muslim Actor to Win an Oscar - Unwilling to Do Bed Scenes

Kapanlagi.com - The United States film industry or Hollywood is the largest and most prestigious film industry. There are many great actors who have emerged through the American film industry.

It is not surprising that many actors and actresses aspire to debut in the Hollywood Film industry. Not only promising in terms of financial income, but in terms of career, actors or actresses involved in Hollywood-class films will gain the best position among film lovers or the general public.

Not only that, Hollywood also has a prestigious and oldest award event, the Academy Awards or the Oscars. The award is coveted by directors, actors, and actresses because winning an Oscar is proof that their work and efforts can be categorized as the best film or actor/actress.

Making history, Mahershala Ali, who is a minority in Hollywood, proves himself. He successfully won an Oscar for his acting in the film GREEN BOOK in 2019. Want to know more about him? Take a look!

1. Crying When Entering the Mosque

Mahershala Ali © Splashnews.com

Reported from Liputan6.com, Mahershala Ali once cried when entering a mosque. Before he converted to Islam, he went to a mosque in Philadelphia with his girlfriend, who is now his wife. They went to the mosque after Ali expressed his desire to become a Muslim.

Continuing in the explanation of the Liputan6.com article, it is mentioned that Mahershala Ali cried when hearing the sermon and prayer, which led to a spiritual journey that made him feel the need to return to the mosque he visited.

2. Becoming a Muslim after Hearing the Adhan

Mahershala Ali © TPG Images

This Marvel actor converted to Islam after hearing the Adhan. Quoted from detik.com, in a podcast, Mahershala Ali admitted that he was deeply moved when he heard it for the first time. He said that he felt a strong vibration when the Adhan was recited and he cried because of it.

After his spiritual journey, a week later Mahershala Ali returned to the mosque he had visited with his girlfriend, Amatus, and decided to convert to Islam at that time.

3. Refusing Bedroom Scenes

Mahershala Ali © Splashnews.com

Due to his status as a Muslim, Mahershala Ali adheres to the rules of his religion. According to liputan6.com, Mahershala Ali once received a supporting role in the film THE CURIOUS CASE OF BENJAMIN BUTTON in 2018, but he refused it if the role involved a bedroom scene and was willing to lose the role in the film. He did this out of respect for his current religion, Islam.

However, fortunately, an agreement was reached between Mahershala Ali and the film director, allowing Ali to keep his role. When the kissing scene occurs, Mahershala Ali and his partner in the film will immediately exit the frame.

4. Parents are Pastors

Mahershala Ali © AFP

Quoted from tabloidbintang.com, Mahershala Ali was born in California to a mother who is a preacher. Even his birth name, Mahershalalhashbaz Gilmore, was taken from one of the verses in the Bible. However, despite this fact, Ali's mother never left him since he decided to become a Muslim.

Not only his mother, according to detik.com, Mahershala Ali's father is also a preacher and an actor who often performs on Broadway. It is believed that Ali inherited his artistic talent from his father.

5. Once Mocked President Donald Trump

Mahershala Ali © AFP

Quoted from TheGuardian.com, in 2017, President Donald Trump issued regulations banning Muslims from traveling long distances. This situation certainly influenced Mahershala Ali, who is a Muslim.

Continuing from TheGuardian.com, it was the night of the 2017 Screen Actors Guild Awards, where Mahershala Ali was nominated for the prestigious award.

Turns out, that night he not only received a nomination but also won the Screen Actors Guild Award. In his acceptance speech, he made a remark mocking Donald Trump's regulation, stating that if he were a respected person, he would do the same thing, which is to ban traveling abroad.

6. The First Muslim Actor to Win an Oscar

Mahershala Ali © AFP

Having a successful career as a Muslim actor in the Hollywood film industry, Mahershala Ali brought home his first Oscar trophy in 2017. As reported by Liputan6.com, Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win an Oscar. Mahershala Ali won in the category of Best Supporting Actor in the film 'MOONLIGHT' that he starred in back in 2016. 

What's even more impressive is that Mahershala Ali expanded his wings on the Academy Awards stage in 2019. As quoted from CNN Indonesia, Mahershala Ali successfully obtained his second Oscar trophy as the Best Supporting Actor in the film 'GREEN BOOK' in 2018. This means that Mahershala Ali became the first Muslim actor to win 2 Oscar trophies at once.

This article was written by: Siti Radibah Imatufariq

(kpl/mag)