David Ajala: Aging doesn’t scare me. It’s a gift’| Life and style
forIn London, David Ajala, 39, trained at the Anna Scheer Theater School. He joined the RSC in 2008, has continued to work at the National Theater and this year appeared in the West End with Ewan McGregor in My Master Builder. He had roles in the films Kidulthood, Adulthood and Brotherhood, The Dark Knight, Fast & Furious 6 and Jupiter Ascending. Currently he is in Nine Bodies in a Mexican Morgue on BBC One and The Woman in Cabin 10 on Netflix. He lives in Essex with his wife and two children.
When were you happiest?
When you are naive to the complexities of life.
What is your biggest fear?
Feeling lonely.
What is the most embarrassing moment for you?
Helen Mirren was with me in the lift at the National Theatre. I pressed the button but it didn’t move. “I imagine seeing you here stuck in the elevator,” I said. She said, “Was that supposed to be funny?” I apologized, and I laughed. Even talking about it now, it feels so awkward and awkward.
Aside from possessions, what is your most valuable thing? Bought?
Banksy.
What is your most prized possession?
The audacity of faith, to be aware of the obstacles in life and to choose to move forward and accept challenges.
If you could bring something extinct back to life, what would you choose?
the [northern] White rhino. There are still two female white rhinos on the planet, but the last male has died.
Describe yourself in three words
Curious, playful and silly.
What are your most unattractive habits?
Not being able to say no to a can of Roast Beef Monster Munch.
What scares you about getting old?
I don’t think anything scares me. It’s a gift and I want to accept it.
What was the last lie you told?
I went to watch an Arsenal match at the Emirates Stadium and there was a really long queue. I went to the front and told the security guard that I had a runny stomach and needed to go to the toilet as soon as possible. I passed and entered.
What is your greatest pleasure?
Ramsay’s Kitchen Nightmares.
What do you owe your parents?
Everything. Their main thing was: We want you to be happy and never be ashamed to work hard. To instill that in me, and with their support, I felt like I had already won.
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To whom would you like to say sorry and why?
To a resistant high school subject teacher named Mr. Noel. He had a comb, and whenever he turned his back to write on the board, we would roll up pieces of paper and shoot them at his head. One time I hit him. I remember him turning around and looking sad.
What does love look like?
Find a Tenner in your jeans pocket. It’s always been there but you find it the moment you really need it.
What is the worst job you have ever done? finished?
Telesales – Having to sell crappy kitchens. I thought maybe I’m not a good actor because I can’t even convince myself These kitchens are worth paying for.
If not yourself, who would you most like to be?
Oak tree. It is mine to look at and life-giving.
What is one thing that would improve your quality of life?
Stretching.
Tell us a secret
When going up or down the stairs, I always have to take the first and last step with my right foot. It has become a myth.