Atsushi Nishijima/NetflixWhen They See Us standout actor Jharrel Jerome is still reeling from the news that he’s been nominated for an Emmy for Outstanding Lead Actor in a Limited Series or Movie. Jerome says it feels like just a short time ago that he first met the man with whom he’s now competing in that category: Mahershala Ali.
“Just two-and-a-half years ago, I went onto my first set ever and it was the Moonlight set and I got to meet Mahershala the very first day,” the 21-year-old told Entertainment Tonight. “So, I think it’s true when I say that the very first industry person I ever had a conversation with was Mahershala Ali and he just had the greatest words of advice. It was to stay strong, like, no matter what we do.”
“And now that I get to go see him at the Emmys and say, ‘Wassup?’…The fact that we’re in the same category is a blessing.”
Ali is nominated for his work on True Detective.
Jermone is also excited to be nominated alongside the rest of the When They See Us team.
“That’s the greatest part: it’s not just me; it’s the entire family,” he said. “It’s Ava [DuVernay]….I’m so proud of Asante [Blackk]. He blew my mind when I saw his performance.”
In the future, Jerome says he hopes he’ll get another opportunity to work on a similarly life-changing project.
“If I can do a project like that again, then that’s all I want to do,” he said. “To be a part of a project like this is bigger than any nomination. It’s bigger than any win.”
In When They See Us, Jerome plays Korey Wise, one of the wrongfully accused teens in the 1989 Central Park Jogger Case.
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