However, the path following his initial success was not without its complications. Ali spoke with striking candor about the period surrounding his second Oscar win for “Green Book,” in which he portrayed the world-class pianist Don Shirley. While the film was a massive commercial success and a major awards contender, it was also lightning rod for controversy. Critics and members of Don Shirley’s own family raised concerns regarding the historical accuracy of the film and the way Shirley’s life was framed through the perspective of his white driver, played by Viggo Mortensen.
Ali did not shy away from the "backlash" that followed the film’s release. He admitted that the transition from being the industry’s "golden boy" during the “Moonlight” era to being at the center of a cultural debate was a jarring experience. “I think I’m just sensitive in general, you know what I mean? So it definitely like had its impact, like for sure,” he admitted.
Despite the noise, Ali remains steadfast in his commitment to the project. “I still stand by it. I stand by the work,” he told the audience, adding that he values the “experience as a whole, and what it taught me.” He used a vivid metaphor to describe the growth that comes through public scrutiny and professional pressure, noting that “swords are folded in the fire.” For Ali, the controversy was a refining process that forced him to examine his role as an artist and a public figure.
Reflecting on the rare feat of winning two Academy Awards within a three-year span, Ali offered a grounded perspective on the nature of accolades. While many would view two Oscars as the pinnacle of a career, Ali views them with a degree of healthy detachment. “I felt a sense of accomplishment, which is not fulfillment,” he remarked. This distinction is evident in his daily life; he revealed that he keeps his statuettes tucked away in a cabinet, out of his direct line of sight. This choice, he explained, allows him to remain hungry and focused on the next challenge rather than resting on his past achievements. “I need to get back to work,” he said simply.
That work has recently seen Ali expanding his range into the world of animation and high-octane action. He currently voices the character of Aaron Davis (and his various multiversal iterations) in the acclaimed “Spider-Verse” franchise. The actor teased the upcoming “Beyond the Spider-Verse,” though he remained playfully tight-lipped about the specifics of the plot. When asked about the progress of the film and how he distinguishes between the different versions of his character, Ali joked, “I might not even be in it, man! I don’t know, man! I don’t know!”
Beyond the jokes, Ali spoke highly of the animation process, noting that the medium allows for a level of spontaneity often missing in live-action. Actors are filmed while recording their lines, and their physical improvisations often inspire the animators to rewrite scenes or adjust the character’s movements. “I think that’s why, honestly, the animation films will hold up better than live-action films,” he mused, citing the iterative and collaborative nature of the medium.
The physical and mental demands of his live-action roles, however, remain a significant part of his narrative. Ali recalled the grueling production of the third season of HBO’s “True Detective,” which he began filming just a week or two after finishing “Green Book.” Playing detective Wayne Hays across three distinct time periods required him to endure 80-hour work weeks and four hours in the makeup chair starting at 3:30 a.m. each morning. At the time, his daughter was only a year old, adding the strain of new fatherhood to an already punishing schedule.
