The Financial Woes Of Barkhad Abdi Proves An Oscar Nomination Doesn't Mean Riches
The lifestyles of the rich and famous were on display for all to see on Sunday night; golden statuettes were handed out, thousand-dollar tuxes were worn and after parties were attended. Barkhad Abdi, a relative newcomer to this lifestyle, enjoyed all of that – apart from the statuette bit – but that doesn’t mean he’s living the movie-star lifestyle.
It’s hard to escape the cynicism that surrounds Hollywood’s love for Abdi. The huge standing ovation he received for his Bafta award did seem a touch forced, especially considering he wasn’t that good in Captain Phillips. Then again, escaping war-torn Somalia, immigrating to the U.S via Yemen, becoming an actor, starring in a Hollywood blockbuster and winning an award for it is the stuff of movies, and his newfound peers are probably just relishing in the rarity of his remarkable story.
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It’s a story that has gained him respect and love, be it fake, forced or both, but it hasn’t – as of yet – granted Abdi the financial security a job as a Hollywood actor ostensibly does. Right after Captain Phillips wrapped up, Abdi was selling mobile phones to make ends meet. Two years ago he was paid $65,000 for his supporting role opposite Tom Hanks. On the day of the film’s premiere, he quit that job. "How I thought about it was like, 'When the movie came out reviews either gonna be good or bad. Either way, I cannot be working here,'" he told the New Yorker.
Next for Abdi is a move to L.A as he’s in talks to star in a film about South African runner Willi Mtolo – who completed the 1992 New York Marathon. People will question the ethics behind paying a newcomer actor $65,000 for a film that has grossed over $200m from a $55m budget; then again, starring in a film and getting paid $65k is an unattainable dream for many.