Colman Domingo: “I’d rather be in the conversation than not in the conversation”

I received no fewer than three severe weather warnings on my phone when I spoke to Colman Domingo earlier this week: high winds, flash floods, severe thunderstorms — all were supposedly heading toward New York, and when the Oscar nominee joined our video call from Beacon, New York, the view from his window upstate was just as gray and gloomy as mine in the city. A stark contrast to Domingo’s disposition, which is nothing short of bright and sunny.

“I often feel like I get sucked into high-profile dramas or shows,” Domingo said during our call. “Most people who know me know that I’m very playful and always ready to reinvent and try something different.”

Domingo is actually filming a prestige comedy-drama as we speak. He’s upstate for Netflix’s second season The four seasons; he will direct the first episode and star in the rest. Next month he will do a press tour for The running man alongside Glen Powell and later shot a variety of other films on his slate, including an upcoming Michael Jackson biopic, two other directorial features set in 1957, and a heavily shrouded Steven Spielberg project.

And it is After he has already spent the year filming the third season of Euphoriaco-hosting the Met Gala and cross-dressing for a Sabrina Carpenter music video, as well as Paris Fashion Week and a new stint as Valentino Beauty’s first-ever global fragrance ambassador in between. Suffice it to say: Colman Domingo is a busy man.

Still, Domingo declined an incoming call from his agent during our conversation to focus on our conversation in which we discussed, among other things, the Maya Angelou quote that serves as a philosophy for Domingo’s style, the final season of Euphoriaand the 200 perfumes (!) in its collection.

GQ: Tell me a little about this ambassador with Valentino Beauty for its perfumes.

Colman Domingo: Oh, I think it’s pretty fantastic. I am very happy that at the beginning my relationship with Valentino was already limited to that of brand ambassador for their menswear, which has been a truly beautiful and fruitful partnership. I feel like if there’s one brand I truly believe in, it’s Valentino.

When it comes to their fragrances, being the brand’s first global ambassador is pretty awesome. I’m really proud of it because I know that people turn to me, whether it’s for style, whether it’s for what makes them feel good. And for me, [my scent collection is] quite large. I think I have about 200 of them.

Oh my God.

Yeah. I have a very good nose, I think. When you walk into a room, you attack people’s senses and you want to make them feel a certain way. And I’m very aware of that, from the way I dress, what I say, and then the sensory space. It’s the smallest thing, when you reach out to hug someone – because I’m a hugger – people will remember the smell of you. I particularly like one in particular that smells like marshmallows. I think it’s [Valentino’s] Born in Rome. And really, who knew marshmallow flavor was good? In a way, it feels like home.

There is. I realize that it changes here and there, but I really like ouds and things that are a little herbaceous, sometimes a little woody too. I usually buy a perfume for a role, as part of my character. And I think: what does a character want to leave behind in a room, their essence in some way? I am very aware of this. That’s why I have all these different scents.

[Laughing] You know what? Okay, I always hear that. And it’s funny because I never think of myself like that.

Really?

No, I see myself as just trying to tell a story the way I feel it. I think it’s all summed up in one thing. I think it’s not just the style, it’s about how I feel, and I think that’s what people see. I feel good in these spaces and I’m okay with claiming my space. And I think you kind of have to… what did Maya Angelou say? She said, “Your crown is already made and ready for you. All you have to do is put it on.” I put mine on a while ago, so I think I’m walking with my crown.