When film, television and fashion lovers turn their eyes to the Golden Globes red carpet this Sunday night, they will no doubt be treated to a serious dose of style from Colman Domingo. The actor, nominated for his second consecutive Golden Globe for Best Actor for his portrayal of real-life playwright-author John “Divine G” Whitfield in “Sing Sing,” is also well known as a fashion darling, regularly wowing fans both on- and offscreen. He has even scored a covetable co-chair slot for the 2025 Met Gala, where the focus will be on Black men’s fashion under the theme “Superfine: Tailoring Black Style.”
“The capes! The colors! The drama! I’ve always loved dressing,” Domingo tells W magazine, which features the acclaimed actor as one of its annual “Best Performances” honorees. “I have an Easter Sunday picture of me as a kid: I’m wearing a red, white, and blue jacket with brown trousers and a tie that’s really big. My mom said, ‘Oh, baby, that doesn’t match, and I said, ‘But I like it! It makes me feel good!” the actor recalls, adding: “Which is why I’m not afraid of a little fringe or a ruffle. I need to feel like I’m a warrior in some way. After all, warriors and kings wear capes.”
Domingo doesn’t only like to create drama; like many of us, he also loves to watch it — via reality TV. “I like ‘The Real Housewives of Atlanta’; they’re always fighting. I recently started watching ‘The Real Housewives of Salt Lake City.’ Everybody there is being fabulous. To a level, they’re acting … And also they’re in full makeup, lashes, and wig at the gym. And it’s completely lit. They’re like, ‘Wait—who’s at the door?’ Let’s see, you have a camera crew inside and one outside. I think you kind of know.
“I do like it when they fight,” he continued. “I think that’s the appeal: It’s, you know what? I guess I’m pretty okay if I don’t have this kind of drama with anybody.”
As for the well-deserved success the veteran actor is experiencing at this stage of life, in addition to being a meme-able beneficiary of the genetic lottery, Domingo is more than enjoying the ride.
“I think it’s an awesome thing that I got success later in my career than earlier. I can handle it now,” he tells W. “I’m 55 years old. I had been a slow burn for 30-something years. I’ve been simmering in the pot … It’s been gradual, and I still know how to not take myself too seriously. That’s very important — I feel like the moment you believe the hype, that’s the problem.
Volume 1 of W magazine’s “Best Performances” hits stands February 11, 2025.
